Final Mel Kiper 2-round NFL Mock Draft has Bengals going defense

Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) tackles Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Love him (I do) or hate him, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. , is one of the most respected voices in the NFL Draft scene.

After coming on the scene in 1984, before the NFL Draft was what it is today, Kiper has helped revolutionize one of the final weekends in April into must-watch television. While his mock drafts aren’t always spot-on, he has a good pulse on the league, and, in particular, the AFC North. Kiper has an affinity for the Baltimore Ravens, but he also knows his stuff when it comes to their divisional rivals.

Recently, Kiper unveiled his final two-round mock draft on the Mothership’s main site. In it, the Bengals take two talented defenders, but they don’t come without their questions. As many are leaning recently, Kiper has the Bengals taking a cornerback at No.

10 overall. And, true to the Bengals’ standards, they take the big-school SEC guy who has few medical red flags. Mansoor Delane , CB, LSU This has become a pretty popular mock draft match, and it makes sense.