Bengals take the real first swing at finding their next Geno Atkins in latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Rueben Bain Jr. is one of college football’s top pass rushers, which is just what the Bengals need.
Replacing a Hall of Fame-caliber player is always a tall task, but the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t really given a real effort to fill the shoes of Geno Atkins.
Atkins last played for the Bengals in 2020 when he appeared in eight games, but eight of the previous nine seasons resulted in Pro Bowl nods and two First Team All-Pro honors. He amassed 75.5 sacks as a defensive tackle in what amounted to be 10 years worth of games. He was every bit of a dominant force at the 3-technique spot.
It was an unexpected career from who many considered to be undersized for a defensive lineman drafted in the fourth round back in 2010, and perhaps replicating his impact can also be accomplished in an unconventional manner. A to Z Sports’ latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft attempts to do just that for the Bengals.
Bengals land Miami DL Rueben Bain Jr. in latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Cincinnati hasn’t drafted a d-line player in the top-10 since Justin Smith in 2001, but selecting Bain No. 10 overall would be a dream for the Bengals. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin made it crystal clear he wants to add pieces along the front four this offseason.
Bain has been a productive menace for the Hurricanes this season. He boasts the highest pass rush win rate among starting Power 4 edge rushers, according to Pro Football Focus, and is one of three players on Miami’s defense with at least 13 tackles for loss entering the College Football Playoff National Championship.
His defect, or the reason why he may slide to the No. 10 pick in the draft, is his size. Bain is listed as 6’3″ and 275 pounds, but is going to measure with an arm length below 31″ according to A to Z Sports’ Ryan Roberts.
Bain’s lack of size is why he may not be an EDGE-only player in the NFL, but his power and pass-rushing proficiency should allow him to thrive playing in-between the tackles, just like Atkins did during his time in Cincinnati.
“The Bengals need to rebuild their trenches from the ground up, and Rueben Bain is a player who can contribute to that. He may not have the length to play EDGE full-time, but I could see him in a Geno Atkins-like role in Cincy.” — A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson
There will be a debate over Bain’s measurables and whether or not they matter for a top-10 pick. If the Bengals are willing to take on an outlier, they could do far worse than one of the best pass-rushers entering the NFL in 2026.
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