Analyst Nick Shook argues Cincinnati should consider moving up before the Giants’ No. 5 selection to mortgage future assets for a defender who can start on Day 1. The idea is to land a blue-chip contributor at a position that directly impacts the run and pass game.
Two in-state standouts—Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese—have drawn notable attention as potential targets who could change the Bengals’ defensive ceiling. Reese, an Ohio State edge rusher, posted 6.5 sacks and 34 tackles in 2025 and ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, collecting multiple national honors along the way. Styles is viewed as a top linebacker prospect who could immediately bolster Cincinnati’s second level.
Styles’ college production reinforces his suitability for the role, with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks in 2024, followed by 77 tackles, seven for loss, and a presence in the lineup in 2025. Reese’s combination of pass-rush upside and athleticism adds to the appeal of a potential mid-round jump for a transformative defender.
Defensively, Cincinnati has endured significant struggles, ranking 26th in passing defense, 31st in total defense, and last in rushing defense in 2025, while yielding 380.9 yards per game and 60 total touchdowns. The 2024 season showed similar gaps, underscoring why the defense remains the priority even as the offense—led by Joe Burrow and a stocked receiving corps—remains strong.
A bold move to trade up for Styles or Reese could reshape the draft landscape and position the Bengals to challenge top teams in the near future. While such a leap carries risk and financial implications, it aligns with a clear objective: strengthen the defense now to complement an elite offense and push Cincinnati back into serious title conversations.
