With only one game left on the Cincinnati Bengals’ schedule, we are getting a really good idea of where the team will pick in next year’s draft. As of now, the Bengals are 6-10 and picking 10th. With another win, that pick could fall to 12th, so we shall see what happens in the final week.
For this Bengals mock draft, we used the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator. While there were a few really good trade offers (like picking up the Dolphins’ second-round pick to move back from 10 to 12), we just picked where the Bengals are slotted.
A lot will happen between now and the 2026 NFL Draft. Regardless, let’s try to help out the Bengals a bit. There are obvious needs, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. Hopefully, the Bengals address those issues in free agency and can pick BPA at every pick.
One Last Bengals Mock Draft Before the New Year
Round 1, Pick 10: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Trey Hendrickson is more than likely going to hit the road, so the Bengals need a game-changing edge rusher. Despite using first-round picks on the EDGE in two of the last three seasons, neither has developed into that game-changer. Myles Murphy is looking more like Sam Hubbard, and it took Shemar Stewart until Week 17 to earn a sack.
David Bailey has been an uber-productive member of the Texas Tech defense after transferring in from Stanford. Heading into the CFP, Bailey leads the Big 12 with 17.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks in his only season with the Red Raiders. He converts pressures into sacks at an alarming rate and is quick off the snap. The Bengals need a dawg rushing the passer. If Arvell Reese doesn’t inexplicably fall down the board, Bailey would be a great choice.
Round 2, Pick 41: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo
The Bengals need safety help. If the team can’t get Caleb Downs with a first-round pick, there is a crop of second-round talents more than worth the pick. This time, let’s pick Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo. Sure, picking a player from the MAC this early isn’t ideal, but McNeil-Warren is just the latest high-end secondary piece from Toledo, just like Quinyon Mitchell.
With the Rockets, McNeil-Warren has been part of the secondary for three years now. The hard-hitting safety heads to the NFL with 214 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, a sack, five interceptions (one pick-six), 13 pass breakups, nine (!) forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. The Bengals need a hard-hitting, sure tackler who can also drop back and cover in space as a safety. Think of a better Vonn Bell. He’s not a center-field, one-high kind of safety, but he can do everything else.
Obviously, therein lies the level of competition caveat. He did not face too many NFL-bound players in the MAC. He looks like he could be a bit of a project, but could play right away. If the Bengals do the predictable and retain Geno Stone for some reason, McNeil-Warren could be the Jessie Bates to Stone’s George Iloka.
Round 3, Pick 72: Darrell Jackson Jr., NT, Florida State
The Bengals need a little help on the interior defensive line, as well. While TJ Slaton hasn’t been bad, the line hasn’t been able to replace DJ Reader. Darrell Jackson Jr. could be that guy.
You want a big-bodied, run-stopping, dude of a nose tackle? Jackson is your guy. In five seasons, Jackson was a big part of the rotation for four. He’s a massive tackle at six-foot-five and over 330 pounds. Jackson’s play strength and ability to game games over from inside have to be intriguing for NFL scouts. The only game in which he recorded two sacks saw Jackson toss aside interior offensive linemen with ease.
Read More: We Had A Bit Of Fun In A Different Mock Draft
Round 4, Pick 110: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
At this point in the draft, it’s time to just add talent.
The Bengals need a jolt in the running back room. Chase Brown is great, but Samaje Perine is older and, obviously, the coaching staff doesn’t quite trust Tahj Brooks just yet.
Kaytron Allen has been part of a lethal one-two punch at Penn State for four years now. In those four seasons, he’s run the ball 769 times for 4,180 yards and 39 touchdowns. He was tied atop the Big Ten this year with 15 touchdowns, but he also scored 10 as a true freshman.
He’s as explosive as any and has great patience and vision in the backfield. If the Bengals can get him to be a reliable RB2, the offense could be even more lethal.
Round 6, Pick 186: Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
The Bengals like Senior Bowl players, and Josh Cameron could be the next. After starting his career as a walk-on, Cameron put together a solid career at Baylor. Over his last two seasons, Cameron amassed 1,626 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading the team both years.
The Bengals could use a player with YAC ability as well as a potential upgrade in the return game. Cameron provides both.
Round 6, Pick 196: Christian Gray, CB, Notre Dame
If Al Golden gets out of this draft without picking one of his old Notre Dame players, it would be a bit of a surprise. The Bengals’ cornerback room is actually pretty solid heading into 2026, with Dax Hill playing well outside and DJ Turner playing at a Pro Bowl level. Even then, you can’t have too many corners.
Christian Gray could return to Notre Dame in 2026, but if he doesn’t, he could be a solid addition. He started off as a freshman at Notre Dame and has had just as many highlights as lowlights. Even then, in those highlights, he hauled in six interceptions in three years and has broken up 20 passes over the last two. He has been picked on in his career and publicly challenged by his coach. He responded by being an integral part of the defense.
Round 7, Pick 218: Arion Carter, LB, Tennessee
After using two picks on linebackers a year ago, the Bengals still need help in the room. If anything, picking Arion Carter here could raise the floor, which has been quite low in 2025. Carter led the Tennessee defense with 76 tackles and added six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Round 7, Pick 224: Bryce Foster, C, Kansas
What does the future hold at center for the Bengals? Right now, Ted Karras is established, but the age cliff can come at any time. Matt Lee and Seth McLaughlin could be next up. If not, why not pick a center who started every single game he could when healthy? Bryce Foster started his career at Texas A&M and started as a true freshman. The only games he didn’t start were after his season-ending injury in 2022. In total, Foster has 52 starts in 52 career games, ending at Kansas this year.
He’s a massive human, especially for the interior offensive line. Foster could bring that leadership that the Bengals could use on an offensive line that has started to get things together. It’s weird to not immediately want multiple upgrades on the offensive line, so kudos to Scott Peters. Add Foster to the mix with Lee and McLaughlin, and the Bengals can feel great about whatever comes after Karras.