Mock drafts, man…..
I’d consider myself somewhat of a Bengals aficionado, but I’ve never pretended to know what happens behind closed doors. I’ve also never pretended to know the ins and outs of what goes on in the other 31 franchises.
That doesn’t mean I can’t try, though.
Here we go!
1: Raiders—Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Notes: I can’t pretend to know whether or not Mendoza has what it takes to play the position in the NFL, but he’s going to be the pick. He was outstanding in the Hoosiers’ first championship, and he’s the best QB in this draft class.
2: Jets—Avrell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
Notes: The Jets have been a dumpster fire and one of the few franchises that consistently make Bengals fans happy they’re where they are. Reese would be a project to transition to edge full-time, but he’s got all the traits they’d want in an elite pass rusher.
3: Cardinals—Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Notes: It’s just not a great quarterback class, and even though the Cards need a quarterback, why not take the best tackle in this year’s draft class? I think they’d be better off starting Jacoby Brissett and making sure he’s got a clean pocket and a good running game.
4: Titans—Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Notes: Cam Ward could use help to get the offense up and running, and help will come in the form of a stud running back that can hopefully take some of the pressure off the quarterback. I don’t like taking running backs in the top-10, but Love has potential to be an every-down back right away.
5: Giants—Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Notes: The Giants need help in the interior of the offensive line and the defensive line. They can get a starting-caliber guard in the second or third round, and I thought about reaching for Peter Woods here, but I just couldn’t justify putting him in the Top 5. Styles is an insanely athletic linebacker prospect with a very high ceiling. He could help against the run and pass.
6: Browns—Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Notes: Freeling is used to competing against NFL-caliber edge rushers in the SEC, and he likely has the highest ceiling of any left tackle in this year’s draft class. The Browns seem content to roll with the quarterbacks they have, so they have to protect them.
7: Commanders—Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Notes: Jayden Daniels needs a strong No. 2 option opposite Scary Terry, and Tate, a fellow former Buckeye, would fit nicely. He’d give Daniels a strong WR duo, and take some pressure off McLaurin and eventually take over as No. 1.
8: Saints—David Bailey, Edge, Texas A&M
Notes: I thought about wide receiver here, but Bailey falling this far is a gift to a team whose franchise leader in sacks, Cam Jordan, is still a free agent.
9: Chiefs—Rueben Bain Jr, Edge, Miami (Fl)
Notes: The Chiefs need help at edge, and Bain falling to them is another gift. It’ll also keep him out of Cincinnati. Bain is a relentless pass rusher, and he would add some teeth to KC’s front seven.
10: Bengals—Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Notes: They would have options here, and they have so many needs. They could take a safety to pair with Bryan Cook. They could take the best corner in this year’s draft class. They could take a defensive lineman. They could take a linebacker.
In the end, I decided to go with Delane because he would immediately help create one of the better defensive backfields in the division. Paring Delane with DJ Turner and Dax Hill should give them a solid group of starting corners for 2026—and if the front office can get extensions done—a few years longer.
Downs was the only other player I was really torn about here. In many ways, I think he might be the best player in this year’s draft class. Here’s the thing: the Bengals didn’t address corner in free agency, and they did address safety. Had it been the reverse, the picks would reverse.
11: Dolphins—Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
12: Cowboys—Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
13: Rams—Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
14: Ravens—Makai Lemon, WR, USC
15: Bucs—Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
16: Jets—Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
17: Lions—Olaivavega Loane, G, Penn State
18: Vikings—Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19: Panthers—Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
20: Cowboys—Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
21: Steelers—Emmanuel McNeil-War, S, Toledo
22: Chargers—Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
23: Eagles—Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (Fl)
24: Browns—Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
25: Bears—CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
26: Bills—Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
27: 49ers—Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
28: Texans—Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
29: Chiefs—Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
30: Dolphins—KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
31: Patriots—Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
32: Seahawks—TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson
The offseason continues to chug along. The Bengals haven’t done close to enough to prove to fans they’ve done everything in their power to field a championship-caliber team. What would you think about the Bengals adding Delane, even if Downs was available at No. 10?
What would you do differently?
Sound off!
“Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be”
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