Several likely targets for the Cincinnati Bengals remain available entering the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Bengals did not make a selection in the first round of the draft. Their original pick, No. 10 overall, was traded to the New York Giants to acquire three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Cincinnati’s needs have not changed. A cornerback, linebacker, defensive end, or safety could all be selected with the No. 41 overall pick. Defense is still very much on the mind at Paycor Stadium.

Before we look at top names at those positions, here’s a general list of the best available players who weren’t taken in the first 32 picks.

Best players available entering Round 2

• Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
• Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
• Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
• Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
• TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
• Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
• CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
• Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
• Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
• Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
• Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
• Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
• Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
• Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
• R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
• D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
• Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
• Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
• Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
• Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
• Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
• Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
• AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
• Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
• Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
• Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
• Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
• Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
• Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri

Best available cornerbacks

• Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
• Avieon Terrell, Clemson
• Colton Hood, Tennessee
• Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
• D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
• Keionte Scott, Miami
• Keith Abney II, Arizona State

McCoy is the ultimate wild card here. He fell out of the first round due to concerns about his knee. It stands to reason teams are questioning whether or not he can play in 2026. If the Bengals have that question, taking him with their first actual pick in the draft is a dangerous investment.

Terrell makes plenty of sense, and he was the pick in our final mock draft. Hood may be the best overall player at the position. Cisse has the slot/boundary versatility they may be prioritizing.

Best available linebackers

• CJ Allen, Georgia
• Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
• Jake Golday, Cincinnati
• Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
• Josiah Trotter, Missouri

Much like at cornerback, Cincy has its pick of the litter here. Allen and Rodriguez had decent chances of sneaking into the first 32 and would be good value picks at 41. Golday and Hill are easy projections to fit as SAM backers.

Trotter may be more of a third-round target unless the Bengals are dead-set on addressing this position like they were last year when they picked Demetrius Knight Jr.

Best available defensive ends

• TJ Parker, Clemson
• Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
• Zion Young, Missouri
• R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
• Gabe Jacas, Illinois

Parker could’ve easily went in the first and his Clemson pedigree will have Cincinnati interested. Howell, Young, and Thomas have all been observed by the Bengals this pre-draft cycle, yet Jacas fits the size profile they desire and was the most productive out of all five names here. Continuing to build out their defensive line should be very easy.

Best available safeties

• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
• AJ Haulcy, LSU
• Treydan Stukes, Arizona

There’s value for Cincinnati if finding a Jordan Battle replacement is on the to-do list. McNeil-Warren may be the best overall healthy player, and Stukes is a prime character fit with slot versatility. Haulcy has arguably the best ball skills of any remaining defensive back.