The average Cincinnati Bengals mock draft makes it clear what the franchise needs for the 2026 NFL Draft: More draft picks.

Cincinnati has several positions that could use a notable selection within the first 150 picks of the upcoming draft. Only four picks currently belong to the club before pick No. 189 in the sixth round.

It’s a problem Bengals fans are clearly aware of as well.

I asked fans via X/Twitter to send me Bengals mock drafts using A to Z Sports’ NFL Mock Draft Simulator. Many of the submitted mocks featured Cincinnati trading back to acquire another pick, or multiple in return.

These were the three best I saw. Let’s examine why they deserve the grade they were given.

Double down at defensive tackle

4-round mock via @GregBorchers:

• Round 1, Pick 14: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
• Round 2, Pick 41: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
• Round 3, Pick 72: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
• Round 3, Pick 80: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
• Round 4, Pick 110: Landon Robinson, DT, Navy

Trade: Sent No. 10 pick to Baltimore Ravens for No. 14 pick, No. 80 pick

I love this mock, so I will start with what I don’t like. I’m not a fan of trading down with a division rival. Enabling the Ravens to go get the player they really want is not the business I want to be conducting if I have options. If you are going to do it, make it worth your while and don’t waste the return.

McCoy would be very good value with the No. 14 pick after he confirmed his top-tier athleticism last month. Golday and Tiernan are quality targets in the third round, and how about the defensive tackles? McDonald may be the best nose tackle in this year’s class, and Robinson would complement him beautifully as an explosive disruptor against the pass.

Grade: A-

Fix the defense once and for all

7-round mock via @TurkishBengal:

• Round 1, Pick 10: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
• Round 2, Pick 44: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
• Round 3, Pick 72: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
• Round 4, Pick 110: Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan
• Round 5, Pick 179: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
• Round 6, Pick 189: Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma
• Round 6, Pick 199: Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
• Round 7, Pick 221: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
• Round 7, Pick 226: Andre Fuller, CB, Toldeo

Trade: Sent No. 41 pick to New York Jets for No. 44 pick, No. 179 pick

I do not expect the Bengals to pick five defensive players with their first five picks, even if they land an extra selection after trading down in the second round.

If they were to go back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back on defense, however, this would be quite the haul.

Downs needs no introduction, but Miller has gone a bit unnoticed this draft cycle and feels like a target of theirs in the second round. Rodriguez and Barham would be fantastic front seven additions, and acquiring a fifth-rounder to snag a cornerback in Hall who’s excellent against the run is great. The late Day 3 offensive additions are the cherries on top.

Grade: A-

Three trades leading to greatness

7-round mock via @codiki:

• Round 1, Pick 21: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
• Round 2, Pick 41: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
• Round 3, Pick 72: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
• Round 3, Pick 92: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
• Round 3, Pick 99: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
• Round 4, Pick 110: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
• Round 4, Pick 118: Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
• Round 4, Pick 128: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
• Round 6, Pick 189: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
• Round 6, Pick 199: Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
• Round 7, Pick 221: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
• Round 7, Pick 226: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan

Trade 1: Sent No. 10 pick to Dallas Cowboys for No. 12 pick, No. 92 pick
Trade 2: Sent No. 12 pick to Detroit Lions for No. 17 pick, No. 118 pick, No. 128 pick
Trade 3: Sent No. 17 pick to Pittsburgh Steelers for No. 21 pick, No. 99 pick

12 players who could all become great or at least contribute immediately. What’s not to love?

It’s one thing to make three separate trades in the first round. It’s another thing to use every pick received wisely.

Thieneman has a good argument to be the best defensive back in this draft, but he’s a safety and is therefore undervalued by the consensus. Jacas and Halton are two of my personal favorite Day 2 targets to bolster the pass rush. Moore is not far behind them. Barham and Durant can push even more current players down the depth chart.

And that’s just half the draft!

This is pushing the line between realism and fantasy. Because it didn’t completely cross that line, it gets the top grade.

Grade: A

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