The return of Joe Burrow could provide a spark for the Cincinnati Bengals during the back half of the season. As things stand right now, the Bengals would currently be picking at ninth overall. They should
have an opportunity to draft some difference makers early in the draft if they end up drafting inside the top ten. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the first few rounds could play out in that scenario.
1st round – Caleb Downs (S) Ohio State
Downs has been an All-American safety since his first season in college. That year was spent at Alabama playing for Nick Saban. Once Saban retired, Downs decided to transfer to Ohio State. All he did in his first season with the Buckeyes was help win a national championship.
He is the type of tone-setting leader, both on and off the field, that the Cincinnati Bengals appear to be lacking on the defensive side of the ball. Downs is not likely to test well, if he tests at all. He makes up for that with his high-level football intelligence. He is known as a film grinder. He is constantly in the right place, at the right time because of it. The Bengals have four players on the defense who are near the top of the entire NFL in missed tackles. Downs is someone who rarely ever misses a tackle in the open field. He is versatile enough to play in the box, at high safety, or in the slot. Whoever is coaching the Bengals’ defense next year could use a leader on the field like him.
Some other prospects that should be on the Bengals’ radar if they end up picking early in the first round include Arvell Reese (LB/DE), Peter Woods (DT), David Bailey (DE), Mansoor Delane (CB), and Rueben Bain Jr. (DE).
2nd round – Caleb Banks (DT) Florida
This is a high-risk, high-reward player that the Bengals may not be in a position to take a gamble on. Banks has been injured almost the entire 2025 season. You would be drafting him based on his 2024 tape. Specifically, his games late in the season against LSU and Ole Miss. In just those two games, he combined to put up 16 pressures and 3.5 sacks. That type of pass-rushing production is incredible. What makes it even more incredible is the fact that Banks has that kind of pass-rushing ability at 6’6” and 334 pounds.
A player with his size, athleticism, and potential wouldn’t typically get out of the first round. However, him having played only 29 snaps all season could be the reason that he does. If he does, I would take the gamble. The Bengals have not been able to find anyone at defensive tackle who can rush the passer at a high level over the last several seasons. Banks have the potential to immediately change that.
3rd round – Isaiah World (OT) Oregon
Isaiah World transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2025 season from Nevada. He is the starting left tackle for the Ducks this year. While he has had an up-and-down season overall, he has a ton of exciting traits to be a franchise left tackle. He has good athleticism, coming from a basketball background. He is also reported to have an arm length of over 34”. He has only been credited with allowing six pressures the entire season this year.
One thing he will have to do is cut down on the penalties. He has thirty-seven of them over the course of his four-year career. He also has not had a consistent anchor during the season. Those are the reasons he would still be on the board in the third round. Drafting him would give the Bengals a season for him to learn behind Orlando Brown Jr., before taking over the job in 2027.
