The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mandate: rebuild a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in 2025. Through the first two days, they have stuck to that script. After trading back in the first round and selecting Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell at No. 41 overall, they followed up with Washington cornerback Ephesians Prysock in the second round. Now, with five picks remaining on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7), the Bengals have a chance to add depth and find value at positions where the roster still has question marks.
The Bengals’ draft board entering Saturday is likely packed with players who slid for reasons ranging from medical flags to scheme fit concerns. But for Cincinnati, the focus should remain on the defensive side of the ball, with a few offensive targets sprinkled in. Here are the best available players the Bengals should target as Day 3 unfolds.
Linebacker: Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
If the Bengals want to add a tone-setter to the middle of their defense, Kyle Louis is the name to watch. The Pittsburgh linebacker was projected by many as a Day 2 pick but remains on the board heading into Saturday. Louis is a physical, downhill thumper who excels against the run and brings a level of violence the Bengals have lacked at the second level since the prime of Vontaze Burfict. While he is not a three-down player yet—his coverage instincts are raw and he can be a step late in zone drops—he would immediately upgrade the Bengals’ run defense and special teams. With Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt both entering contract years, adding a young, cheap linebacker with starter upside makes sense.
Cornerback: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The Bengals already took a corner in Prysock, but that should not stop them from adding another. Jermod McCoy is a ball-hawking, sticky-coverage corner who was a projected Day 2 pick in many mock drafts. His slide is puzzling, but it could be related to a less-than-ideal 40-yard dash time or a medical concern. For the Bengals, McCoy would provide immediate competition for the nickel corner spot and give defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo a versatile chess piece. McCoy has the instincts to play inside or outside and is a willing tackler in run support. With Mike Hilton entering the final year of his deal and Dax Hill still finding his footing, adding a player like McCoy would be a prudent long-term investment.
Defensive Tackle: Mason Graham, Michigan
Yes, the Bengals already took a defensive end in Howell, but the interior of the defensive line remains a concern. Mason Graham is a powerful, run-stuffing tackle who was a key piece of Michigan’s national championship defense. He is not a pass-rush specialist—his sack numbers are modest—but he is a brick wall against the run and commands double teams. The Bengals have tried to patch the interior with veterans like B.J. Hill and Zach Carter, but neither has proven to be a consistent difference-maker. Graham would give them a young, affordable rotational piece who can eat snaps and free up the edge rushers. If he is still on the board in the fourth round, the Bengals should sprint to the podium.
Wide Receiver: Isaiah Bond, Texas
The Bengals’ wide receiver room is headlined by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but the depth behind them is thin. Tyler Boyd is gone, and the team has not yet found a reliable third receiver. Isaiah Bond is a speed merchant who can take the top off a defense, a skill set that would complement Chase and Higgins perfectly. Bond’s slide is likely due to a combination of size concerns (he is listed at 5-11, 180 pounds) and a relatively limited route tree. But for a team that needs a deep threat and a returner, Bond is a Day 3 steal. He would immediately compete for the WR3 job and could be a dynamic weapon in the return game, an area where the Bengals have struggled for years.
Offensive Tackle: Emery Jones Jr., LSU
The Bengals have invested heavily in their offensive line over the past two offseasons, signing Orlando Brown Jr. and drafting Amarius Mims in the first round last year. But depth is still a concern. Emery Jones Jr. is a massive, powerful tackle who started for two years at LSU. He is a mauler in the run game but needs work in pass protection, particularly against speed rushers. For the Bengals, Jones would be a developmental swing tackle who could eventually challenge for a starting spot if Brown or Mims miss time. Given the injury history of both players, having a capable backup is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
Safety: Malaki Starks, Georgia
The Bengals drafted safety Caleb Downs in the first round last year, but the position still lacks depth. Malaki Starks is a versatile safety who can play deep, in the box, or in the slot. He is a smart, instinctive player who was a leader on Georgia’s defense. His slide is surprising, but it may be related to a down year in 2025 or a slow 40 time. For the Bengals, Starks would provide quality depth and could push for playing time in sub packages. With Vonn Bell aging and Dax Hill still developing, adding a player with Starks’ pedigree makes sense.
Why It Matters
The Bengals are in a Super Bowl window. Joe Burrow is entering his prime, Chase and Higgins are elite, and the offense is loaded. But the defense has been the team’s Achilles’ heel, and the front office knows it. The Howell and Prysock picks were solid, but the Bengals need to hit on their Day 3 selections to build the kind of depth that sustains a contender.
The Bengals have five picks on Day 3: one in the fourth round, two in the fifth, one in the sixth, and one in the seventh. That is enough capital to add two or three players who could contribute as rookies. If they can land a linebacker like Louis, a corner like McCoy, and a defensive tackle like Graham, they will have transformed the defense in a single draft.
The clock is ticking. The Bengals’ window is open, but it will not stay open forever. Day 3 is where championships are built, and the Bengals cannot afford to waste these picks. The best available players are there for the taking. Now it is up to the front office to make the right calls.
