The 2026 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away. For teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s crunch time to get ready to address all of their needs as well as possible.
Coming off a disappointing season, in which the Bengals went just 6-11 and missed the playoffs for a third straight season, Cincinnati can’t afford any mistakes in the draft this year. Addressing the key positions of need that they have is going to be vital, but what are those positions of need?
The Key Positions for the Cincinnati Bengals to Address
GettyCincinnati Bengals edge rusher Shemar Stewart
ESPN insider Ben Baby believes he has a good idea of what the Bengals need in this year’s NFL Draft. That’s defensive tackle, offensive tackle, and wide receiver.
“A perfect draft could look like this for Cincinnati: interior defensive lineman (preferably a pass rusher), an offensive tackle who could fill in as a swing guy and a slot wide receiver,” Baby wrote. “Cincinnati will have a good draft slot in each of the first three rounds to add depth at each of those spots. Of course, if a player who could be an immediate starter at slot cornerback or an elite edge rusher is available at No. 10, that seems like a no-brainer. Otherwise, Cincinnati should take advantage of its poor 2025 record and take players at premium positions.”
The Bengals currently have eight picks in the draft this year. The first of those is the No. 10 overall pick, which has been rumored for several different players. That includes edge rusher Rueben Bain, who NFL Draft guru Todd McShay recently hinted might be the pick there.
“It becomes interesting if Bain is sitting there at 10,” McShay said. “Is that their edge? And it certainly could be.”
Bain is an undersized edge rusher from the Miami Hurricanes. That doesn’t quite make him the defensive tackle that Baby thinks the Bengals need. However, he would provide the pass rush that they’ve lacked in recent seasons, with phenomenal production in college, racking up 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss last season.
Bengals Need a Draft Plan to Replace Trey Hendrickson
GettyMissouri Tigers edge rusher Zion Young at the NFL Combine
One major reason the Cincinnati Bengals need to find help along the defensive line is that Trey Hendrickson moved on from the team. Now, they’ll need to replace his production in any way possible.
Replacing him isn’t easy. However, FanSided’s Justin Carter recently shared an interesting suggestion. Missouri edge rusher Zion Young.
“With Hendrickson gone from a defense that already had plenty of holes, the Bengals are going to need some guys to step up,” Carter wrote. “Specifically, 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart has to prove he was worth that investment.”
Young would probably be a stretch to use the No. 10 overall pick on this year. However, pick No. 41 is an interesting place where Young may still be available, despite his borderline first-round talent. If the Bengals are able to pull that off, then they can address a different position of need early in the first round.
Only time will tell what Cincinnati chooses to do in this draft. However, with the first round rapidly approaching on April 23rd, a decision is coming sooner than later.
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