Many fans and experts expected the Cincinnati Bengals to target a nickel cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft, but after seven rounds, they only came away with Tacario Davis, an outside corner.
Shortly after the draft ended, a wave of undrafted free agent signings and that is where the Bengals signed Isaiah Nwokobia out of SMU.
The 6-foot, 206-pound Nwokobia is listed as a safety, but he has the potential to play nickel, somewhere the Bengals may opt to use him. He may also fill the void left by Tycen
Anderson, who signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had Nwokobia listed as a priority free agent in his predraft rankings.
Here is what Zierlein had to say:
Strengths
- Plays with good eye balance between quarterback and routes.
- Finished career with 25 passes defensed and 11 interceptions.
- Plays downhill into run fits with a steady pace.
- Stays wide and tackle-ready in the hole.
Weaknesses
- Allows runs to cross his face and escape wide.
- Inconsistent tackle finisher when trying to bring down receivers after the catch.
- Below-average range and field speed to maintain man coverage.
- Underwent left shoulder surgery in December.
Nwokobia will likely try to make the team via special teams, and if not, he could be a candidate for the practice squad.
