With the tie in three teams we rotating the subsequent rounds.. so we pick 9th in the 2nd, 8th in the third, 10th in the 4th, 9th in the 5th, 10th in the 6th, 9th in the 7th...

if i did that right..

Tankathon Mock.

USA Today

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/01/04/nfl-mock-draft-2026-first-round-order-projection/88006263007/

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A two-time unanimous All-American and Thorpe Award winner, Downs accomplished nearly everything imaginable for a collegiate defensive back. While some franchises might be reticent to take a safety in the top 10, the do-everything defender shouldn't be reduced to his positional label.

3 minutes ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

some good picks in there... a couple turds but overall a solid group

If we are looking at S/EDGE/DT/CB/LB as top thoughts in the draft...

Edge - Depends who falls to us

S - depends who falls to us

DT - not sure anyone is worth the 10th pick, woods? seems like a reach, maybe in the 2nd round?

CB - a few top guys could fall to us, do you take one if downs and bailey and bain are all gone?

LB - Styles is the only LB in the realm of our pick in the first round. dunno how id feel there, id hve to brush up on Styles play.

its POSSIBLE CB is the BPA at pick 10

Any offensive positions draw much interest?

a OT/OL wouldnt be the worst pick on earth but not a huge need especially in the top 10.....

WR - no

RB - no

TE - cant imagine

QB - prolly not, lol

My list of Defensive guys in that area of the draft: (top 15 picks)

Reese - LB/Edge

Bain - Edge

Downs - S

Bailey - Edge

Faulk - Edge

Delane - CB

Styles - LB

Woods - DT

Offensive guys who are in hte realm of that area: Not QB or WR or RB:

Fano - OT

Mauiga - OT

Ioane - G/C

Players very likely to go before us at other positions:

Mendoza - QB

Moore - QB

Tate - WR

Tyson - WR

Love - RB

Leaving 5 of the 11 guys in the above two lists there at our pick

So if we assume this:

Is correct..

that leaves the Commanders, Saints and Kansas city to steal Downs from us.

Saints have kamara still, with 18.6 guaratneed on deck in 2026, but word is he is retiring?

if he does, they could easily grab the RB, LOVE

Commanders need Edge, LB, more than Safety, so do they take Delane? that would be ideal.

KC needs OL help, they were worse than us on the season... 24th ranked going into week 18 and sucked ass in week 18... so OT pick here is ideal..

that lands us downs...

Yeah I wont be mad at any defensive player we take, I just think Downs is the best player in the draft and would make instant impact in what I view is the weakest position on our team.

10 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

Yeah I wont be mad at any defensive player we take, I just think Downs is the best player in the draft and would make instant impact in what I view is the weakest position on our team.

Reese is better than downs, but no prayer on him falling so your point stands.

10 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

Reese is better than downs, but no prayer on him falling so your point stands.

That and while Linebacker is not as valued as most defensive positions, it's still valued more than Saftey.

Just now, Jamie_B said:

That and while Linebacker is not as valued as most defensive positions, it's still valued more than Saftey.

yeah and Reese is a LB/EDGE guy he can play all over... he seems properly regarded and valued in the top 3 of the draft... first non qb for sure.

KC take Downs to spite us

1 hour ago, Jungletiger said:

KC take Downs to spite us

No..they take him if he's there because he's

an outstanding player ..

I think they go z,,Jeremiah Love to take the load off Mahomes.

If Downs goes still happy if Bailey on board.

After that dunno.

7 hours ago, GoBengals said:

So if we assume this:

Is correct..

that leaves the Commanders, Saints and Kansas city to steal Downs from us.

Saints have kamara still, with 18.6 guaratneed on deck in 2026, but word is he is retiring?

if he does, they could easily grab the RB, LOVE

Commanders need Edge, LB, more than Safety, so do they take Delane? that would be ideal.

KC needs OL help, they were worse than us on the season... 24th ranked going into week 18 and sucked ass in week 18... so OT pick here is ideal..

that lands us downs...

Donte Moore has stayed he's not ready for NFL yet.

Another yr grooming his craft with huge nil money keeps him in Oregon.

Must adjust draft to that fact.

Changed things...m

CBS Sports

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/renner-2026-nfl-mock-draft-top-18-pics-set-trades-expected-weak-class/

Round 1 - Pick 10

Caleb Downs S

Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 205 lbs

Projected Team Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK 9th

POSITION RNK 1st

Downs is the reliable secondary player the Bengals desperately need. He's not only assignment-sure in coverage but also rarely misses tackles.

I like Bailey, Bain or Downs. Whoever falls to us in that order. If no Bailey then Bain, if no Bailey and Bain, then Downs. One of those three should be available. Then in the 2nd round I would go after DL run stopper, and probably a CB in the 3rd, and another DL in the 4th. On the interior line DLs I would make sure they are strictly run stoppers, one maybe a hybrid rusher/run stopper.

****IF YOU CLICK THE NAMES ABOVE IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THEIR FOOTBALL REFERENCE PAGE.****

In the 2nd round I would be looking at a guy like Lee Hunter. 3rd round a CB like Colton Hood. In the 4th maybe a hybrid DL like R Mason Thomas.

Who knows.. I didn't get to watch much college FB, but I have been watching vids of the prospects on the defensive side.

How do you all feel about Myles Murphy going forward? In the second half of the season has he shown enough to not draft someone to potentially replace him?

7 hours ago, GoBengals said:

My list of Defensive guys in that area of the draft: (top 15 picks)

Reese - LB/Edge

Bain - Edge

Downs - S

Bailey - Edge

Faulk - Edge

Delane - CB

Styles - LB

Woods - DT

Offensive guys who are in hte realm of that area: Not QB or WR or RB:

Fano - OT

Mauiga - OT

Ioane - G/C

Players very likely to go before us at other positions:

Mendoza - QB

Moore - QB

Tate - WR

Tyson - WR

Love - RB

Leaving 5 of the 11 guys in the above two lists there at our pick

14 hours ago, Jungletiger said:

KC take Downs to spite us

Could happen yes.

I think they go RB Jeremiah Love.

Take heat off Mahomes.

Their oline needs work.

Maiga or Fano could be in the mix.

I'd love for this to be a trenches draft. Start w/ DT & Edge, then if we can get a good OT prospect and an interior lineman that would be great. Outside of that safety, RB (power back maybe?), slot WR. If we can go into the draft with no major holes that would be great.

Major Holes:

DE, DT, 3T, FS, LB

"Easy" Upgrade:

3rd WR

Need replacements soon:

LT

C

20 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

USA Today

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/01/04/nfl-mock-draft-2026-first-round-order-projection/88006263007/

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A two-time unanimous All-American and Thorpe Award winner, Downs accomplished nearly everything imaginable for a collegiate defensive back. While some franchises might be reticent to take a safety in the top 10, the do-everything defender shouldn't be reduced to his positional label.

Please, please, please!!!!

1 minute ago, Jason said:

Please, please, please!!!!

Will we Bates him? 🤣😢

Just now, Jungletiger said:

Will we Bates him? 🤣😢

Maybe. Don't have to worry about it for 5 years though.