CBS lists draft needs and targets for Bengals in Rounds 2-3

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Jake Godly #LB10 of Cincinnati participates in 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cincinnati Bengals don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they still have their second and third-round picks, and a handful of wants and needs to address. CBS Sports’ JP Acosta pooled together all the teams without a first-round pick and listed several players that those teams could be interested in.

It should come as no surprise that the primary position picked for the Bengals was linebacker, the only defensive position the team completely ignored during free agency. “The Bengals spent multiple picks in 2025 on the linebacker spot, adding Demetrius Knight on Day 2 and Barrett Carter on Day 3,” wrote Acosta. “The problem is that in 2025, Carter and Knight were one of the worst LB pairings in the NFL, either missing tackles (Carter and Knight missed 18 and 16 tackles last season, respectively) or being picked on in coverage (Knight gave up a 106.

7 passer rating in coverage). ” Possible Day 2 targets at linebacker mentioned were Georgia’s CJ Allen, Cincinnati’s Jake Golday, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, and Arizona State’s Keyshaun Elliott. The secondary need for the Bengals was safety, which was somewhat surprising considering the free agents they signed this offseason.

“Honestly, the reasons for needing a safety in Cincy are almost a carbon copy of Linebacker,” Acosta wrote. “The Bengals added Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger to this group in the offseason, but S Jordan Battle was awful last season. In addition, potentially finding a safety with nickel versatility could be beneficial, especially if Dax Hill is staying on the outside.