Bengals 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft after underwhelming trade deadline

The Cincinnati Bengals had the opportunity to either blow this roster up in the name of getting tons of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft or make a move that can keep them competitive in the wide-open AFC North, but Duke Tobin largely chose to sit on his rear end and do nothing after sending Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys. The status quo remains the same for Cincinnati, as the need to use the upcoming Draft to improve a defense that is the worst in the league and is somehow regressing by the minute. Even with Trey Hendrickson on the field, this unit is so pitiful that not even Joe Burrow or a red-hot Joe Flacco can save them. The Bengals need to focus heavily on the defensive side of the ball in the next few months. Following this plan of attack in the 2026 NFL Draft might be able to do a good chunk of the heavy lifting as Cincinnati tries to remake its defense on the fly. Ohio State has two seemingly no-doubt standouts on its defense this year in Downs and linebacker Arvell Reese. Downs may be the top overall