The Cincinnati Bengals have officially been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after this week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals now fall to 4-10 on the season and are currently holding a top-10 draft pick. A lot could still change in the draft order over the next three weeks, but let’s take a look at what the Bengals could do in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round 1 Pick 9: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This isn’t a pick many may expect, but it could provide a massive boost to the Bengals. Sadiq is an elite weapon in the passing game, utilizing his athleticism and body control to evade defenses. He is also a strong and willing run blocker.
The Bengals have tight ends who excel in the passing game and those who are effective blockers, but they don’t have one who excels in both areas. Sadiq can provide that and help open up their offense.
Round 2 Pick 40: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
Ramsey is one of the more versatile safeties in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ramsey has shown the ability to play single high, two deep, box, and nickel for the Trojans. Ramsey brings high-level athleticism as well as a high football IQ to the field.
Geno Stone has been a disappointment in Cincinnati and is a free agent after this season. Ramsey and Jordan Battle could be a solid safety duo with good versatility.
Round 3 Pick 71: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
While receiver isn’t a top need for the Bengals, we can’t ignore that the Bengals’ third wide receiver has been a position of disappointment this year. Bell is a name that casual college football fans may not know, but he has been one of the best receivers in college football.
He can come in and be what everyone wanted Jermaine Burton to be. He is a three-level threat at receiver and can consistently make plays when teams take Chase and Higgins away.
Round 4 Pick 109: Daylon Everette, CB, Georgia
The Bengals are set at two of their three starting corner positions with DJ Turner and Dax Hill. However, Cam Taylor-Britt was having a down year before his injury and is now a free agent.
Everette has good size and speed to cover bigger receivers and is really strong in zone coverage. He can be pencilled in at the opposite boundary corner from Turner, and allow Dax to slide back inside to the slot where he is best.
Round 6 Pick 185: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
The Bengals need some pass-rush juice from the defensive tackle position, and Halton can provide that. His 82.9 PFSN DT Impact score is the 12th-best score in the country.
Halton is someone who will need some development when he reaches the NFL, adding pass-rush moves to his arsenal and utilizing his hands more effectively. While he does that, he could step in on passing downs and get some pressure from the interior for you.
Round 6 Pick 196: Austin Romaine, LB, Kansas State
The Bengals need help at linebacker, and Romaine could be an early down player for them. He isn’t the most athletic and isn’t the best in coverage, but he is a strong tackler and a smart player.
He diagnoses runs well and could step in on early downs to help the Bengals’ run defense. He is a high-effort player and never quits on a play. He could be solid linebacker depth.
Round 7 Pick 215: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Allar has fallen as much as any player in college football this year. He was being discussed as a potential top pick before the season, and now he is being considered a late-round pick as he recovers from injury. Allar has all of the arm talent in the world, but never developed at Penn State.
Allar has a long way to go before he will ever be ready to play in the NFL, but you don’t often get the chance to take someone with his size, athleticism, and arm talent this late in the draft. He is worth the risk here.
Round 7 Pick 223: Patrick Payton, Edge, LSU
Payton is a guy that many thought could be an early-round pick this season after transferring to LSU. After back-to-back strong years at Florida State, Payton just didn’t play as well on a disappointing LSU team this year.
He has good length and solid flexibility, and the Bengals could use another shot at a talented edge that fell.
