With the 10th pick of the NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals picked and extended Dexter Lawrence…give or take. So, for the first time since 1989, the team went without picking in the first round. It was an odd feeling, especially when you consider the incredibly unlikely possibility of the team trading up back into the first round.
Now, there are eight picks between now and the Bengals’ first pick of this draft. With two quarterbacks, five receivers, a tight end, and nine offensive linemen gone, the board is setting up nicely for Cincinnati.
Setting Up The Bengals’ Board at 41
Yes, Please
Adding to the defense still feels like the move at 41. As much fun as adding a Denzel Boston, Eli Stowers, Germie Bernard, or any other weapon, the value may be there later. With all of the contract stuff in the air with DJ Turner and Dax Hill, corner would be a great pick. Colton Hood and Avieon Terrell are both worth the pick. Hood is a physical corner who could play outside or in the slot if need be. He’s sticky and won’t allow much YAC and is not afraid to go up and break up those 50-50 balls. Terrell is similar. He can time up the underneath routes to disrupt the catch point, and he’s a physical presence in the run game. If at least for a year, imagine him coming off the edge like Mike Hilton used to. Many Bengals fans were thinking of D’Angelo Ponds here as well.
If Cincinnati wants to add to safety in this spot, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be the pick if he continues his fall. Even with the additions at the position, the Bengals need a thumper. He can come downhill and make receivers pay for coming across the middle. Plus, he has the range to play deep. He would come to Cincinnati with nine forced fumbles and five interceptions in his career.
At EDGE, Zion Young looks intriguing. He’d be more of a pass-rush specialist who could make more of an impact as a rookie than the last two first-round picks at the position.
Linebacker could also be the move here. Take your pick of Jacob Rodriguez (a draft crush of Bengals fans), Anthony Hill Jr., CJ Allen, or even Jake Golday. The Bengals need help at linebacker, and this could be a great opportunity to give the position group a jolt.
Medical Questions
The elephant in the room is Jermod McCoy. At one point, McCoy was in the discussion to be the first corner off the board. Then, there were some disappointing medical reports coming out, and here we are. On tape, McCoy was one of the top defensive backs in 2024. But he missed the 2025 season due to an ACL tear suffered in December of 2024. That was the first red flag. ACL tears usually require a nine-month recovery. He worked out at his Pro Day and seemed to look all right.
Now, there are fears he may need additional surgery, putting his 2026 season in doubt. Will the Bengals use a premium pick on a guy who may not even suit up? For as good as McCoy may be, that’s too big a risk for a team that claims to be competing for a title.
Hopefully, McCoy is taken before the Bengals are on the clock to take that choice out of their hands.
Trade Back
In reality, the Bengals could have one of Hood, Terrell, McNeil-Warren, Young, McCoy, Kayden McDonald (to keep beefing up the defensive line), Cashius Howell, or take your pick at linebacker.
If there is going to be a time in which the Bengals entertain a trade back, it’ll be here.
As it stands, the Bengals do not have a fifth-round pick. It would not be surprising if they try to add one back with a short trade back. With how many off-the-board picks there were in the first, the Bengals should be able to trade back and still net a solid player.
