Best NFL Draft Fits for Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
After a longstanding contract dispute, the Cincinnati Bengals finally lost EDGE Trey Hendrickson to free agency earlier this offseason. His departure delivers a significant blow to what was already a lackluster defensive unit. The Bengals must draft the best defensive player on their board at No. 10 overall.
2026 NFL Draft Prospect Primer: Defensive Tackles McDonald broke out in his first year as a starter in 2025 after playing a reserve role for
the 2024 National Champion Buckeyes. He was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025 as well as First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team Associated Press All-American. He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s top interior lineman, after compiling 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
Source: 49ers, ex-Bengals DE Cam Sample reach one-year deal
In 2025, Sample made 14 appearances and started two games. He had two sacks and 17 total tackles in those games. It was a comeback season for the 26-year-old who sat out all of the 2024 season because of an Achilles injury.
NFL Draft Buzz: Bengals Met With Intriguing 6-Foot-9 Offensive Line Prospect
“I met with a lot of teams at pro day. The day before pro day, I met with the Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints,” Bell said, via NFL Draft OnSi’s Justin Melo. “I went to dinner with the Dallas Cowboys. At Pro Day, I met the New York Giants right before my workout. I met with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos right after my workout. I’m about to head to Miami and Philadelphia for Top 30 visits with the Dolphins and Eagles. I recently met virtually with the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Bengals Insider Reveals Why Cincinnati Hasn’t Added a Veteran Linebacker
It’s no secret the Cincinnati Bengals are re-working one of the NFL’s worst defenses this offseason. They finished second-worst in yards allowed last season (382.1). There are several ways that Cincinnati could have approached the first wave of free agency. So far, the Bengals have signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe, and safety Bryan Cook. These three signings covered almost every level of the defense, outside of linebacker.
NFL draft insider’s intel hints at Bengals first-round plans
“What we’re hearing about the Bengals’ draft: The Bengals are in prime position to address their cornerback need at No. 10. Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) sit atop the CB board, and it’s likely one will be there when Cincinnati picks. After signing Mafe, it sounds like secondary is the team’s Round 1 priority.”
