OhioSportsfans.com

April is here! Been a while since we’ve picked this high which adds intrigue.

What are your way too early thoughts?

Downs if he's there is a no brainer.

Best edge rusher available if he's not.

Which means we'll probably draft a TE.

In this order:

Downs
Styles
Bailey
Bain

All 4 most likely gone

So we’ll go CB. Delane would be a dream pick, but it’s the bengals so we’ll prolly take McCoy since he’s coming off injury

Here are a few of the mock draft choices.

NFL.com

CB Jermod McCoy - Tennessee

McCoy's excellent pro day shut down any questions about his health or athleticism. Dax Hill and DJ Turner II are free agents after this season, and McCoy's presence would allow Hill to play in the slot, creating a strong secondary able to give pass rushers more time to find quarterbacks in the backfield.

Note - They have Styles not going until 12 to the Cowboys

CBS Sports

S Caleb Downs - Ohio State

Why would Caleb Downs be available if he is one of the best prospects in this class? First, positional value. A true safety has not been drafted in the top 10 since Jamal Adams went No. 6 overall in 2017. Perhaps the best comparison to Downs in terms of mental acumen is Minkah Fitzpatrick, who went No. 11 overall.

Mel Kiper

CB Mansoor Delane - LSU

DJ Turner II and Dax Hill are talented, but Delane would be an upgrade on the outside, where he can win at the line of scrimmage with great quickness and instincts.

Note - Ruben Bain is still available here

Some other picks without notes

SI - Rueben Bain - Edge Miami

The Athletic - Jermod McCoy - CB Tennessee

TWSN - Rueben Bain - Edge Miami

There is a lot of variety here. I agree with Sky that McCoy is the most Bengal pick that can possibly be made. I'm not even saying he won't be good. It's just too hard for them to pass on a guy coming off a major injury.

I have no problem with a CB at #10 assuming all the best LBs and DEs and Downs are already gone.

Bengals1 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 04, 2026 1:02 pm

I have no problem with a CB at #10 assuming all the best LBs and DEs and Downs are already gone.

This

skycruiser wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 04, 2026 4:27 pm

Bengals1 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 04, 2026 1:02 pm

I have no problem with a CB at #10 assuming all the best LBs and DEs and Downs are already gone.

This

"If" all the best defensive lineman and linebackers plus Downs were gone at #10 and we traded back just a few picks, I could live with that too.

However, I highly doubt all those good defensive players will be gone so I don't expect such a move.

Of course, now that i've jinxed us....

We just need like 1 of the top teams to do something dumb like the penix thing last year. Or like 2 WRs go.

KC has literally no secondary so I don’t see downs making it past them. Likely gonna be Bain with his short arms or a CB

Happy Easter everyone. Thanks to Cruiser, his friend will be able to celebrate today and all the days ahead.

Spend time with your families and think about the things that are bigger then football.

Bengals1 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 03, 2026 6:08 pm

Downs if he's there is a no brainer.

Best edge rusher available if he's not.

Which means we'll probably draft a TE.

I think my dream pick would be Styles, but not likely available at 10.
Also... I like McCoy more so than Delane.
Would be stoked if it was either of those or Bain, Downs, Bailey.

Outside the box, wonder if they'd consider trading back to grab Woods.