The Cincinnati Bengals have eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Four of those picks range from the No. 189 pick to the No. 226 pick. They have four in the top 110 selections.

If you feel like they don’t have enough picks to do everything they want to do, you’re correct. They could use more picks when it truly matters.

Enter the rare trade-back scenario.

Cincinnati hasn’t moved back in the first round since 2012. Using the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator, I laid out a path for the Bengals to do it again.

The Minnesota Vikings moved up to the No. 10 spot and gave up picks No. 18, No. 77 in the third round, and No. 116 in the fourth round. Here is what I came away with:

Round 1, Pick 18: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

I think the Shemar Stewart comparison is unfounded here. Keldric Faulk is a high-quality run defender (80 stops to 11 missed tackles in 711 run defense snaps) with the ideal frame and density to be a 5-technique in a traditional 3-4 defense. He also actually had a season in college in which he finished a respectable percentage of his 45 pressures into sacks, registering seven of them in 2024. He’s not going to win around the edge without serious development, which only amplifies the importance of how he’s used to start out. He’s at least ready to play on first and second down with interior rush upside on the money downs. For a pick in the late teens, that is acceptable.

Round 2, Pick 41: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The closer the draft gets, the more I truly wonder about linebacker. Are they really going to force a pick early if they didn’t even for a signing in free agency? I think it will take a special case, and Jacob Rodriguez may remind them of who Logan Wilson used to be. The Athletic’s Dan Brugler reports Texas Tech’s coaches called him the “quarterback of the defense.” The cerebral capabilities usually translates to quality production, and Rodriguez had that as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. If he wasn’t graded higher than Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter were last year, Cincinnati needs a new grading scale for the position.

Round 3, Pick 72: Brian Parker, OL, Duke

The waiving of Matt Lee was a surprise and a wake-up call about the Bengals’ lack of offensive line depth as a whole. The third round should become a hotspot for versatile blockers such as Cincinnati native Brian Parker II. He exclusively played tackle at Duke, but his measureables indicate a move inside is in his future. He could theoretically play all five spots if needed, and if drafted this early, would be in line to take over for either center Ted Karras or right guard Dalton Risner in 2027.

Round 3, Pick 77: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

The first added pick from the Vikings trade brings in one of the more underrated defensive players in this entire draft class. Daylen Everette has the athleticism and production indicative of an NFL starting cornerback. He also comes with a five-star pedigree, something the Bengals seem to value greatly, and the frame and footwork to handle the boundary or slot if needed. There is development needed before he starts, but the Bengals can give him that time behind DJ Turner II and Dax Hill.

Round 4, Pick 110: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State

Cincinnati needs to push one of Kris Jenkins Jr. or McKinnley Jackson hard this offseason. Darrell Jackson Jr. looks like an immediate replacement for either of them. He’s mainly been a nose tackle, and his 86″ wingspan makes him overqualified for that role, but he also has an array of pass-rushing moves to penetrate. He’d be an ideal backup and eventual replacement for TJ Slaton Jr., which seems to be in demand if Jackson can’t win over the coaching staff in his third year.

Round 4, Pick 116: Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

The second pick from Minnesota grants the Bengals a chance to improve the tight end room. Tanner Koziol put on 25 pounds of added weight to be more desirable for the NFL, according to Brugler, and already has the catch radius and hands of an NFL TE as well. His 74 receptions last season led the FBS. Cincinnati could used another multi-faceted player at the position if Erick All Jr. can’t come back from his ACL injury.

Round 6, Pick 189: Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame

Doubling up on offensive linemen is more likely with two added picks, though that didn’t stop Cincy last year with just six selections. Aamil Wagner is going under the radar as a Day 3 swing tackle. He has an ideal frame with nearly 35″ arms and a wingspan that falls just under 84″. He’s well versed in true pass sets and fared well in this situations at Notre Dame. Well worth a sixth-round pick.

Round 6, Pick 199: Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma

The sixth-round is the natural place to find a running back for the Bengals. They tried their luck with oft-injured Rodney Anderson out of Oklahoma back in 2019, and another Sooner tailback with durability concerns is up for grabs here. Jaydn Ott was on track to being drafted much higher out of Cal before injuries got to him, and they followed him to Norman in 2025. The burst and explosion is still there if his body can hold up.

Round 7, Pick 221: Dane Key, WR, Nebraska

You know Zac Taylor will always be open to a Cornhusker. Dane Key was instantly productive for Kentucky and had a role for three years before transferring to Nebraska in 2025. He was also a captain for both programs.

Round 7, Pick 226: Scooby Williams, LB, Texas A&M

The double-up at linebacker is another Bengals staple, as evidenced by last year’s class. Scooby Williams has incurred many injuries since transitioning from an EDGE at Florida to a LB who ended up at Texas A&M. A late-round throw of the dart here.