Bengals land a solution to a future problem that will further help Joe Burrow in latest 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
A smart investment for Cincinnati to consider in the upcoming NFL Draft.
There’s no dire need to change the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line this offseason, which has not been the norm in recent years. Extending Dalton Risner prior to free agency is the biggest move that needs to be made, but as long as that happens, the unit looks really promising for 2026.
Beyond this coming season will feature multiple questions, starting with who’s taking over at left tackle for Orlando Brown Jr.? Brown is entering a contract year and will turn 30 in May. It is far from a given he will be back in 2027 should he desire a substantial raise reflecting the rate for a quality LT nowadays.
Brown’s future in Cincinnati is unknown, meaning the club would be best to start preparing for it now for the sake of quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals manage to do exactly that in A to Z Sports’ first 7-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Bengals select Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Following the selection of Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round, A to Z Sports’ Travis May picked Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with the Bengals’ second-round selection at No. 41 overall.
Proctor, who won’t turn 21 until after he’s drafted, comes in at No. 29 in terms of average draft positioning when looking at the A to Z Sports Mock Draft Database. He’s a fringe first-round talent in an OT class that has questions below the consensus top prospect in Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
There’s an obvious positive to Proctor that makes him a potential Bengals target: He’s massive. He’ll have his dimensions officially verified later this week at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he’s currently listed at 6-7 and 369 pounds. His frame would fit right in with Brown and Amarius Mims in Cincinnati, and there’s some movement ability to go with that size.
“Kadyn Proctor has the look and feel of an impact starter at the NFL level. He’s got a rare mix of mass and length that is paired with good overall athleticism — but he’s going to need continued refinement to mitigate warts at the next level, where many defenders have the technique to test his vulnerabilities.” — A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs
Proctor may not be ready to start as a rookie, and that’s exactly why Cincinnati would be a great landing spot for him. He can develop as a backup swing tackle behind Brown and Mims for the 2026 season before being handed the LT job in his second year. The Bengals would have a starter in waiting for one of the most important positions on the field, and ensure Burrow’s line won’t have a major weakness should Brown move on.
It makes far too much sense for Cincinnati address this 2027 problem a year in advance. Proctor will be a name to keep tabs on over the next two months for that reason.