Bengals 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cincinnati goes all-out for athleticism thanks to brand new mock draft simulator
A to Z Sports has launched its brand new mock draft simulator and we’re celebrating with a new 7-round Bengals mock draft.
In order to predict and explain real world events, follow the money. In order to predict and explain how the Cincinnati Bengals will tackle the 2026 NFL Draft, or any draft for that matter, follow the athleticism.
Cincinnati has repeatedly looked for value in head-turning athletes with quality combinations of height-weight-speed. Shemar Stewart, Amarius Mims, Jermaine Burton, and Andrei Iosivas are just a few examples in recent years. Traits are what become prioritized in the Bengals’ war room, and that isn’t going away.
How can the Bengals find these athletes in the upcoming draft? We used our brand new mock draft simulator to search for them in every round.
The A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator offers a deeply customizable and data-driven experience with never-before-seen features. Try the mock draft simulator today, before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives.
Round 1, Pick 10: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles is the best overall linebacker in this class, and part of that is because of how insane of an athlete he is. Styles blazed a 4.46 40-yard dash and amazingly elevated 43.5″ and 134″ in the vertical and broad jumps, respectively, at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He’s a 93rd percentile athlete at his size of 6-5, 244 pounds, and he’d be a freak of nature the Bengals would welcome with open arms.
Round 2, Pick 41: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
The idea of an interior offensive lineman being drafted this early to Cincinnati shouldn’t be dismissed, and Chase Bisontis has the required athleticism of a top-50 pick despite 31.75″ arms. Bisontis ran a 5.02 40-yard dash and an impressive 7.53 3-cone at 6-5, 315 pounds in Indianapolis. He’s far from a finished player at just 21 years old, but sitting behind Dalton Risner for a year while learning from offensive line coach Scott Peters may be an ideal landing spot for him in the long run.
Round 3, Pick 72: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
The guy who was opposite of likely top-10 pick David Bailey was also quite the pass rusher last year for Texas Tech. Romello Height is smaller (6-3, 239 pounds) than what the Bengals typically look for in an edge defender, but he’s quite fast and explosive nonetheless. He posted a 4.64 40 time and jumps of 39″ and 125″ in the vertical and broad, respectively, at the combine.
Round 4, Pick 110: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
This may be a bit later than when Cincinnati wants to pick a cornerback, but Chandler Rivers would be such a value pick in the fourth round. He’s been one of the most consistent corners in the nation over the past few years for Duke, and confirmed high-level athleticism. He ran 4.40 40-yard dash and really made an impression in the jumps, reaching 39″ and 130″ in the vertical and broad, respectively, after measuring in at 5-10, 185 pounds.
Round 6, Pick 189: Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
The Day 3 receiver pick feels inevitable this year, and Caleb Douglas would certainly fit in with the great athletes already inside the club’s receivers room. While his vertical jump of 31.5″ was lackluster for his size at 6-4, 206 pounds, he zoomed a 4.39 40 time and jumped 126″ in the broad jump. That’ll work for a potential field-stretcher.
Round 6, Pick 199: John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
There’s a case for John Michael Gyllenborg as the draft’s most athletic tight end. He measured in at 6’6, 249 pounds, and ran a 4.6 40-yard dash, jumped 35.5″ for the vertical, 128″ for the broad, and amplified his combine performance with a 4.22 short shuttle. Finding a 93.1 percentile athlete in the sixth-round is always a win.
Round 7, Pick 221: Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Geno Stone, the last seventh-round safety out of Iowa to play for the Bengals, didn’t pan out. Xavier Nwankpa won’t be expected to start like Stone, and he’s a significantly better athlete anyways. After being measured at 6-2, 208 pounds, Nwankpa ran a 4.48 40 and leaped 37.5″ in the vertical jump.
Round 7, Pick 226: Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
A military academy athlete to wrap things up! Eli Heidenreich can move, and not just for a serviceman. The 6-0, 198-pound running back clocked a 4.44 40 time.
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