San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson meets with Bengals
Chris Johnson is a name to watch in Round 2 of the NFL Draft.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Chris Johnson of the San Diego State Aztecs speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images The window is open, but not for long. Armed with a top-10 pick and a roster on the brink, the Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 NFL Draft knowing one thing: if they want to chase a Super Bowl, the defense can’t wait any longer.
Cincinnati has the offensive firepower to compete with anyone in the AFC. What they need now is a defense that can close out games (the Bengals lost five games by seven points or less last season). That reality puts pressure on this draft class to deliver immediate contributors, particularly in the secondary.
With the No. 10 overall pick, the Bengals are expected to target a high-impact defender such as Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. , or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
Landing any one of them would give the defense a much-needed cornerstone piece and help make up for the loss of Trey Hendrickson. But the work doesn’t stop there. Cornerback remains a critical need, even with a solid foundation already in place.