2026 Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 8 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: June 08, 2026Overview
Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 8 selections. Biggest needs: Inside Linebacker, NT, Offensive Guard.
Complete Draft Class:---
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #10 - Cincinnati Bengals: Olaivavega Ioane, Offensive Guard, Penn State
Rank: #12 overall | Grade: A- Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Cincinnati Bengals desperately needed Offensive Guard help (need #3), and Olaivavega Ioane was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Olaivavega Ioane brings immediate impact to Cincinnati Bengals. Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane is the top pure guard in the 2026 NFL Draft class thanks to his elite ability to halt and generate movement on command. At 6'4", 328 pounds, the Penn State redshirt junior entered the program as a 3-star recruit in 2022 with a... His best trait—elite pass blocker who consistently holds ground with excellent technique—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a High-floor guard with two-phase impact-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #41 - Cincinnati Bengals: CJ Allen, Outside Linebacker, Georgia
Rank: #37 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:Cincinnati addresses the top-listed ILB need with a four-spot value on Georgia's rising linebacker. At 20 years old, Allen gives the Bengals' defense a sideline-to-sideline athlete to grow with and rotate alongside their existing front seven.
The Fit:Allen is a 6'1", 235-pound athletic mover with Daiyan Henley-style movement in coverage. His 76 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PD in 2024 showed every-down ability, and at 20 he has room to add mass and refine play diagnosis. Coverage upside is the carrying trait; paired with Cincinnati's existing pieces, he should be a starter by midseason.
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Pick #72 - Cincinnati Bengals: Keyron Crawford, Edge Rusher, Auburn
Rank: #70 overall | Grade: B- Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While Edge Rusher wasn't the top priority, Keyron Crawford's talent at #70 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:Keyron Crawford brings immediate impact to Cincinnati Bengals. Keyron Crawford developed from a rotational player into a cornerstone of Auburn's pass rush after transferring from Arkansas State following the 2023 season. The 6'4", 255-pound edge rusher made an immediate impact under defensive coordinator DJ Durk... His best trait—quick first step creates immediate pressure—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Brian Burns (twitchy edge rusher)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #110: Jalon Kilgore (Safety, South Carolina) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #189: Thaddeus Dixon (Cornerback, North Carolina) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #199: Jaeden Roberts (Offensive Guard, Alabama) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #221: Robert Henry Jr (Running Back, UTSA) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #226: Rene Konga (Defensive Line, Louisville) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.---
Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B | 7 positions addressed across 8 picks.---