The Bengals have three clear paths to shore up the edge: sign a veteran free agent such as Joey Bosa for a short-term, mid-level contract; bank on 2025 first-round pick Shemar Steward to take a leap; or use the No. 10 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to address the position.
One notable a ction in early draft chatter comes from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who has Cincinnati selecting a different position with their top pick. In his latest mock, the Bengals draft Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 10, citing the team’s need to bolster a defense that must improve across multiple spots.
McCoy’s 2025 season was interrupted by an ACL injury, but Jeremiah points to his outstanding 2024 tape and his potential to be the draft’s top cornerback if healthy. He would join safety Dax Hill in a rebuilt secondary, potentially transforming the unit from a perceived weakness into a strength if he stays on the field.
Bleacher Report has echoed McCoy’s appeal, listing him as their ninth-best prospect and highlighting his athletic burst, scheme versatility, physical play, and football IQ as key attributes that would intrigue Cincinnati at the top of the draft.
Beyond the mock drafts, ESPN identifies pass rush as Cincinnati’s top offseason priority, with the secondary ranked a close second. Geno Stone’s impending free agency adds to the urgency of finding a starting safety partner and a capable slot corner, underscoring the broader defensive overhaul the Bengals face.
If Cincinnati were to use the No. 10 pick on a cornerback like McCoy, it could leave the pass rush addressed later in the offseason or via free agency, a scenario that keeps the team’s three-pronged approach intact: immediate help through a veteran or internal development, and long-term plan via the 2026 draft.
