Bengals Predicted to Land Impact DB With No. 10 Pick in NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the best offenses, when healthy, in the entire NFL. But their defense is one of the worst in the league. Last season, they were the worst defense against the run and one of the worst against the pass.

But the Bengals front office opted to dive into free agency to bolster their defense by signing a trio of impact players in Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook. Kyle Dugger and Ja'Sir Tayloir also joined the fold this week.

But they have to continue adding to their defense.

Bengals Need to Add Defense at Pick No. 10

Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin speaks at the 2025 NFL Combine on Tuesday February 25, 2025. | Phil Didion/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Bengals still have holes on their defense, but it seems like they might be done adding in free agency, and there haven't been very many rumblings of trade discussions. As a result, the next spot to add impact players on defense is in the NFL draft.

The Bengals hold the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft and the No. 41 pick in the second round of the draft. Both of these selections should be used on the best defensive players available. At pick No. 10, the Bengals should certainly be looking for whichever defensive player is the best in their opinion, rather than targeting a position.

Ayrton Ostly of USA Today recently put together a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With the No. 10 pick in the draft, Ostly projected the Bengals would land LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane to bolster their defense even more this offseason.

Mansoor Delane Could Be The Best Selection For The Bengals

Nov 15, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to a stop on fourth down against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

"Cincinnati’s secondary has to improve and getting the top cornerback prospect in the class is a fantastic way to do so," Ostly wrote. "He’s a leaner cornerback but wins with impressive technique for a prospect of his age. The Bengals need contributors who can have an impact from Day 1 and Delane can do that on the outside."

Delane has all the tools to be a dominant cornerback in the NFL.

He's excellent in man coverage. The speed and athleticism are both quite apparent in his film and at his pro day.

While the Bengals don't desperately need a cornerback, adding Delane and using him as a nickel for the first year or two would be a big move to improve their entire unit. If Delane ends up being as dominant a cornerback as many expect, he could quickly be moved to the boundary in a more valuable role, too.

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