3 defensive players the Bengals should watch closely during 2026 Senior Bowl practices
Cincinnati has defense on the mind, and these players have much to gain at the Senior Bowl.
It’s time for practices to begin at the 2026 Senior Bowl.
The Cincinnati Bengals and every other team will be on-hand to watch some of the top NFL Draft prospects duke it out for a few days in Mobile, AL. Bengals assistant offensive line coach Michael McCarthy will be coaching the offensive linemen for the National roster, but the OL isn’t a huge concern for Cincinnati this offseason. Defense will be the main focus, and the Bengals need to figure out if answers can be found in the draft.
Here are three defensive players who should catch Cincinnati’s attention, and all three have much to gain this week.
Florida DT Caleb Banks
Currently No. 27 in the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Database, Caleb Banks is a fringe first-round prospect who plays a position the Bengals desperately need to address. He’s a massive interior lineman who missed most of 2025 due to injury, but his 2024 tape is why he’s got a chance to hear his name called early.
“Banks has a chance to establish himself as fully healthy and disruptive after logging 29 pressures on 233 pass rush opportunities in 2024. This could be one of the names of the week if he’s firing on all cylinders.” — A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs on Banks
There aren’t defensive tackles who are viewed as first-round prospects in this year’s class. The consensus No. 1, Clemson’s Peter Woods, nearly slipped out of the first 32 picks in Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft. Banks can truly elevate himself with a good week.
Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker
In the event Cincinnati misses out on Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, and Texas Tech’s David Bailey, T.J. Parker could end up working his way into the conversation at pick No. 10. He’s currently No. 31 in the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Database. A good week from him could lock him in for the first-round.
“Parker might be one of the safest EDGE prospects in the draft as a powerful pass rusher and a high-end run stopper at 6-3, 260 pounds. He was also an early declare as a junior, so he has even more room to develop, which is great news considering how productive he’s been already with 16 sacks in the last two seasons.” — A to Z Sports’ Josh Taylor on Parker
USC S Kamari Ramsey
Beyond the first round, the battle to be the first safety drafted after Caleb Downs may be between Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman, and Kamari Ramsey out of another Big 10 school in Southern California. Ramsey was a productive do-it-all defensive back for the Trojans, playing a healthy amount in the box, deep, and in the slot. The No. 44 player in the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Database can solidify himself as a second-rounder by showcasing that versatility and leadership skills during the week of practice.
“To me, he’s the kind of player who you’re reading recaps next week about, detailing how he was all over the field, making plays on the ball in team drills, and holding his own in the 1-on-1 sessions.” — A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson on Ramsey
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