Bengals land the perfect 2026 NFL Draft trade in ESPN’s trade-filled mock but are given strange advice with their haul
The Cincinnati Bengals should be open to trading back early on in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Bill Barwell proposes how they can do that in the first-round.
The Cincinnati Bengals would love more picks to work with in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There are several roster holes left to fill, and the club only has four picks in the first five rounds. Cincinnati does have four selections in the final two rounds, but the odds of those picks turning into legitimate players are slim.
Leveraging at least one of those final four picks is how the Bengals can gain more ammo in the early part of the draft.
NFL writer proposes ideal Bengals draft trade
Bill Barnwell’s all-trades mock draft for ESPN has the Bengals trading down from the No. 10 pick to the Los Angeles Rams’ No. 13 pick in the first round. Cincinnati recuperated L.A.’s third-round pick, No. 93 overall, and gave up the No. 189 pick in the sixth round to get it done.
This would be an ideal scenario for the Bengals, especially if their top targets are not available at the No. 10 pick. Conversely, if there are several players worth picking in their eyes, then moving down a few spots while picking up an extra third-rounder would be the perfect outcome.
Cincinnati has pressing needs at cornerback, linebacker, and along the defensive line. The surprise waiving of backup center Matt Lee also amplifies the need for offensive line depth. Having five swings within the first 110 picks can check all of those boxes if done correctly.
That’s why whom the Bengals draft with their hypothetical new first-round pick is important.
Cincinnati given odd options with new first-round pick
Trading down is only half the battle. The No. 13 pick still needs to be used wisely in order for the entire sequence to pay off for the Bengals.
Barnwell’s analysis on the Bengals’ needs is mostly accurate, but the players he lists as ideal targets with the No. 13 pick, Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman and Georgia linebacker CJ Allen, are quite unconventional.
The Bengals should be looking for help at safety, at off-ball linebacker and potentially on the interior of their offensive line. If Downs and Styles are off the board, moving down would still allow Cincinnati to address those spots, with someone such as Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman or Georgia linebacker CJ Allen at No. 13.
Bill Barwell
ESPN writer
Thieneman is considered one of the three-best safeties in this class, and Allen has that same distinction at LB. The value of picking either of them No. 13 overall, however, is questionable to say the least. The former has an average draft position of No. 21 in the A to Z Sports Mock Draft Database, and the latter is No. 29.
While each could fill both a short- and long-term need, picking either of them that early may be considered a reach. The Bengals have done plenty of that in recent years, and it’s led to underwhelming results.
Trading down is certainly a path Cincinnati should consider in the draft, but making the most out of its picks trumps everything else. Find your own trade with the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator!
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