Ohio State’s pro day is taking place Wednesday, and a large chunk of the NFL world will be in attendance.

Linebacker Arvell Reese is locked in as a top-five pick. Fellow LB Sonny Styles may be joining him there. Carnell Tate is likely to be the first wide receiver off the board.

All of them have been behind safety Caleb Downs in the minds of Cincinnati Bengals fans since he arrived in Columbus in 2024.

Cincinnati’s need for defensive playmakers and the natural crossover with OSU fandom has made Downs the prized target for many Bengals fans over the last several months. The signing of Bryan Cook satiates the need for stability in the back of the secondary, but Downs is the kind of player who can find the field no matter the current starting lineup.

Downs could go as high as the first five picks, and considering his position, may even fall out of the top-10. In honor of him being in the spotlight today, let’s run through a Bengals mock draft with the consensus top safety as the first pick.

Round 1, Pick 10: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

An unexpected pick or two would need to be made ahead of the No. 10 selection to make this a reality, but Downs would almost surely be the best player available in this scenario and Cincinnati wouldn’t have to think much about it. He can immediately help covering the slot and may even start over Jordan Battle if given a fair chance. His general presence in the back seven may also act as another boost for the linebackers, which can lessen the need to invest another high pick at that position. Whatever he does as a rookie, he’d be locked in as a full-time starter in 2027 and beyond.

Cincinnati Bengals News

Caleb Downs gives a strange answer about the Cincinnati Bengals and no one’s sure what it means

Caleb Downs declined to say if the Bengals have talked to him recently. Why?

John Sheeran

Round 2, Pick 41: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

Drafting high-end athletes at defensive end is certainly a calling card for the Bengals. Malachi Lawrence was one of the big winners from the NFL Scouting Combine and has become a dark horse to go off the board in the first round. It’s still a really deep EDGE class so him being available at No. 41 overall should still be a reasonable expectation.

Round 3, Pick 72: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

Is there a reality in which the Bengals don’t make sure they get a pass rusher and cornerback before Day 2 ends? I’m not sure after free agency has largely passed. Malik Muhammad has the length of a boundary corner and 0.695 yards per coverage snap allowed is a very impressive mark for him. He’s a liability against the run, but at 21 years old, he’s as good a corner as you’ll find in the third round.

Round 4, Pick 110: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi

Another standout from the combine, De’Zhaun Stribling has the height-weight-speed down and despite being in school for five years at three different programs, he was a somewhat early breakout at a position in which that’s important. He has the talent to immediately push Charlie Jones and others at the bottom of the depth chart.

Round 6, Pick 189: Jeremiah Wright, OL, Auburn

I still lean pure size when looking at offensive linemen Cincinnati could take. Jeremiah Wright, who stands 6-5, 331 pounds with a 83″ wingspan, being from Willie Anderson’s alma mater has already created a relationship for him, and one the Bengals could value. He was exclusively a guard in college, and the Cincy needs more depth everywhere along the line.

Round 6, Pick 199: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana

The national champion is taking a 30 visit for the Bengals, and as a Day 3 pick, Kaelon Black fits the mold of what they look for in a running back investment. Black is a tough runner who also rushed for at least 10 yards on 16.5% of his career carries.

Round 7, Pick 221: Jack Kelly, LB, BYU

It’s tough to be the size of a stack LB with better production as a pass rusher, but Jack Kelly is expected to be a late Day 3 pick for a reason. He’s a shot for Cincinnati to find a combo backer at a value price.

Round 7, Pick 226: Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State

B.J. Hill worked out as an interior defensive lineman from NC State, so the Bengals try that program for a developmental nose tackle. Brandon Cleveland worked under Cincinnati’s defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Cincinnati Bengals News

Bengals 2026 NFL Draft Meeting Tracker: 30 visits, Pro Days, and all the prospects Cincinnati is meeting with

The Cincinnati Bengals are meeting with many possible NFL Draft targets.

John Sheeran