The 2026 NFL draft begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh, when the Cincinnati Bengals will pick No. 10 in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25 (ESPN, ABC and ESPN the app).
The Bengals have eight total picks: Nos. 10, 41, 72, 110, 189, 199, 221 and 226. But how will they use them? Which positions need to be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the front office and coaching staff?
Bengals reporter Ben Baby has the latest intel on the team’s draft plans, potential targets and more in the lead-up to the 2026 draft.
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Bengals emphasize defense
Monday, April 13: The Bengals hosted some major defensive targets, per NFL Network. In addition to Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., Cincinnati also brought in Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. Those are some of the biggest defensive names at the top of the draft. Styles isn’t likely to be around when the Bengals are on the clock at No. 10 and that would be a touch high for Rodriguez and Mesidor. But it’s still very notable for a team that hasn’t been shy about drafting defenders.
Bengals host Bain
Friday, April 10: Cincinnati had a big visit on Friday: Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. came through the Bengals facility, per NFL Network, which is very notable. In recent years, the Bengals’ first-round selections have been among their 30 visits. Bain could join that company if he is available when Cincinnati is on the clock at No. 10. The franchise has used draft picks on edge rushers in recent years (Myles Murphy, 2023; Shemar Stewart, 2025) and also signed Boye Mafe in free agency. Bain is ranked by ESPN as the No. 2 edge rusher available in this year’s draft.
Offensive line in focus
Tuesday, April 7: The Bengals waived center Matt Lee on Tuesday, creating a greater need for offensive line depth ahead of this year’s draft. Lee and Lucas Patrick were the team’s back-up centers last season. The team did not re-sign Patrick, who was picked up by the New York Giants earlier this week. Lee, a seventh-round pick in 2024, finished the year on injured reserve (knee).
Adding depth in the draft was already a priority before Lee was waived. Now the options behind starter Ted Karras are extremely limited.
