In the Zac Taylor era, the Cincinnati Bengals have used 13 top-100 picks on the defensive side of the ball. In that time, the team has made 22 top-100 picks, so the franchise believes in improving the defense through the draft. Whether or not the strategy has worked is another discussion in itself, considering how poorly the unit has played of late. As a result, plenty of way-too-early mock drafts for 2026 have the Bengals going back to a couple of all-too-familiar wells.

Joe DeLeone of PFSN dropped an interesting 2026 mock draft. This mock draft makes a few bold selections, like Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza first overall. Of course, at this point in the game, it’s almost impossible to predict the order of the draft, but with PFSN’s playoff predictor, you can simulate the season, as DeLeone did.

As a result, the Bengals are simulated to draft 26th, implying they make the playoffs but lose in the divisional round.

Round 1, Pick 26: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

To start, DeLeone picked Avieon Terrell, brother of Atlanta Falcon A.J. Terrell, out of Clemson. His reasoning was, “Any defensive position would suffice for the Cincinnati Bengals, considering how porous they were in 2024. Their secondary could use a threat like Avieon Terrell on the outside at cornerback.”

Corner is not out of the question, regardless of where the Bengals eventually end up picking. Since the 2000 NFL Draft, the Bengals have made 27 first-round picks. The Bengals have picked six defensive backs in that time, the most of any position (wide receiver and tackle come in second with four each). Terrell would make sense here. As of July 4, the Bengals have four corners under contract for the 2026 season: Dax Hill, D.J. Turner, D.J. Ivey, and Josh Newton. Realistically, the deciding factor will be Cam Taylor-Britt and what the team does with him.

Terrell checks most of the boxes for the Bengals. He will be young, an early contributor, and from a premier Power 4 program. He could fit Al Golden’s defensive scheme, as well. While Terrell is a tad undersized, he’s aggressive and can make up for it with physicality. He possesses great football instincts with incredible athleticism.

As a true sophomore in 2024, he amassed 58 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

Round 2, Pick 58: Keon Sabb, SAF, Alabama

The Bengals and their SEC prospects, a match made in heaven. After taking a Power 4 star in the first round, DeLeone has the Bengals reinforcing the safety room with another Alabama product. Joining Jordan Battle, who has not quite lived up to expectations to this point, would be Keon Sabb.

He spent his first two seasons with Michigan and was a teammate of Turner’s before transferring to Alabama before the 2024 season. With the Tide, Sabb appeared in seven games and recorded 39 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, and four pass breakups.

He missed the second half of the 2024 season due to a lower-body injury, so 2025 will be crucial for his development. Currently, he’s considered a bit of a risk in the second round, but he appears to have a solid NFL ceiling. If Bengals fans want an example, think 2021 Vonn Bell: thumper, can defend the run and tight ends in the right situation, but you don’t want him one-on-one with receivers who can lose him in space.

As of right now, only two safeties will be on the roster in 2026: Battle and Daijahn Anthony. Safety is going to be a need (again). Each year, the decision to let Jessie Bates III walk for nothing continues to age poorly.

Round 3, Pick 90: Earnest Greene III, OL, Georgia

Over the last two drafts, the Bengals have picked two offensive linemen from Georgia. Why not add a third in as many years? It looks like both Amarius Mims and Dylan Fairchild will start, so they could look to add another Bulldog…it worked for the Philadelphia Eagles!

After redshirting in 2022, Earnest Greene III took over the left tackle role for the Bulldogs and has made 23 starts.

He has the size to be an NFL lineman and has good hand placement, a plus in the Scott Peters system. The question here would be will the Bengals slot him at right guard after plugging the gaping hole with a Great Value Band-Aid in Cody Ford/Lucas Patrick, or is the anticipated future at left tackle with Orlando Brown Jr. playing on the final year of his deal in 2026?