3 under-the-radar NFL Draft prospects who make sense for the Cincinnati Bengals to pick outside of the first round

The Cincinnati Bengals need to nail their remaining draft picks after trading the No. 10 pick for Dexter Lawrence. Here are three prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft who can help them out.

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer

Apr 20, 2026 3:45 PM EDT

Apr 12, 2025; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Micah Morris (56) takes a drink during the Georgia Spring game at Sanford Stadium. © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Significant pressure is on the Cincinnati Bengals’ personnel department in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Just because three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence cost their first-round pick doesn’t mean there isn’t work to do between the second and seventh round.

The Bengals need more quality players on their roster, and the draft has more to offer than inside the first 10 picks.

Here are three under-the-radar prospects in this week’s draft who should catch Cincinnati’s eyes beyond the first round.

Duke CB Chandler Rivers

Oct 26, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Chandler Rivers (0) celebrates during the second half of the game against Southern Methodist Mustangs at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

The Bengals will want to draft a cornerback sometime before late on Day 3, and Chandler Rivers has the skillset to start immediately. He’s a bit undersized at 5-9, 185 pounds, but has more than enough athleticism to make up for it. He recorded 33 passes defensed and seven interceptions as a four-year starter for Duke, and his production came from the outside and in the slot. Cincinnati would like competition in the slot and a potential long-term answer on the boundary. Rivers can help out in both regards.

Expected Draft Range: Third-fourth round

Texas LB Trey Moore

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) waits for the snap during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Sticking with the versatility theme, Trey Moore has the size (6-2 243) of a linebacker despite significantly more experience playing on the line of scrimmage. As a true sophomore at UTSA, he set the school record for most tackles for loss in a season (18) while also compiling eight sacks. He followed that with AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023, and transferred to Texas in 2024. The Longhorns split his time between being an EDGE and off-ball LB. A similar role could be his with the Bengals.

Expected Draft Range: Fifth-Sixth round

Georgia OL Micah Morris

Nov 8, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Micah Morris (56) reacts against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

Cincinnati has every right to trust Georgia offensive linemen with Amarius Mims and Dylan Fairchild bearing fruit for the club. Micah Morris is going to be drafted much later than both of those former Bulldogs, but he could end up being a steal. Morris rode the bench for three years before filling in for Tate Ratledge in 2024. He was deemed Fairchild’s replacement at left guard last year and allowed just four pressures on 426 pass blocking snaps. He’s also 6-5 and 334 pounds with incredible speed and explosion for that size. Checks the boxes to be sure.

Expected Draft Range: Sixth-seventh round

Draft Rivers, Moore, and Morris to the Bengals with the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator!