2026 prospects

[Goalpost]

https://www.footballcouchscout.com/bigboard

A safety at the top and 6 QBs in the top 20.

[*Synric*]

Yea...Caleb Downs as the #1 overall prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft really screams light top end of the class lol. There's some guys like the Clemson DL.

[*ochocincos*]

While it feels like a neverending cycle with OL, OBJ is entering his final year under contract in 2026 and will be 30 next year.
I can see Bengals wanting to think about drafting a new OT a year early to groom as his replacement and take over at LT in 2027.

Other than that, we will need to see how well these other DL develop this year and what happens with Hendrickson.
May need to consider DL early again this next draft.

This is also CTB's final year under contract, so if Hill and Turner don't take the next step this year, plus Stone in final year under contract and not much behind him, I can easily see DB being in consideration along with OL and DL.

[*Synric*]

I'm going to be high on Georgia DT Christian Miller.

Some will hate his production but watching him play gap control read step then explode rushing the passer you can see a guy that can be disruptive at inside.

[SunsetBengal]

(05-17-2025, 01:06 PM)Synric Wrote: Yea...Caleb Downs as the #1 overall prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft really screams light top end of the class lol. There's some guys like the Clemson DL.

I love me some Caleb Downs, but #1OA is a bit of a stretch.

[Goalpost]

Looks like the highest a safety has ever been picked is....

The highest-drafted safeties in NFL history went 5th overall in their respective drafts (Sean Taylor ‘04 & Eric Berry ‘10).

[SunsetBengal]

(08-05-2025, 08:10 PM)Goalpost Wrote: Looks like the highest a safety has ever been picked is....

The highest-drafted safeties in NFL history went 5th overall in their respective drafts (Sean Taylor ‘04 & Eric Berry ‘10).

And while both were excellent players, neither of them turned into the HoF candidates that one might expect for a Safety drafted that high.

[Goalpost]

And then there is this if you go way back further...Gary Glick S drafted by Pittsburgh

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_NFL_draft

[SunsetBengal]

(08-05-2025, 08:27 PM)Goalpost Wrote: And then there is this if you go way back further...Gary Glick S drafted by Pittsburgh

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_NFL_draft

Wow, the only DB ever taken #1OA and the team that drafted him got rid of him after just 3 seasons.. No wonder trends are what they are.

[*Synric*]

(08-05-2025, 07:02 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I love me some Caleb Downs, but #1OA is a bit of a stretch.

He may not even be the first safety drafted... Dillon Thieneman is a very very good deep safety. I could see Sonny Styles taking a leap this year and being drafted before Caleb Downs too so Downs might not even be the first player drsfted from Ohio State.

[SunsetBengal]

(08-06-2025, 08:08 AM)Synric Wrote: He may not even be the first safety drafted... Dillon Thieneman is a very very good deep safety. I could see Sonny Styles taking a leap this year and being drafted before Caleb Downs too so Downs might not even be the first player drsfted from Ohio State.

Styles was switched to LB last year.

[*Synric*]

(08-06-2025, 08:23 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Styles was switched to LB last year.

Yea. I'm just saying Styles might get drafted before Downs especially with a second year at Linebacker. I haven't watched him and might not but he's getting the Isaiah Simmons comps. 

[*bfine32*]

Early five fine favs:

Parker Brailsford/IOL/Bama

Rueben Baines Jr/ED/TheU

Darrell Jackson Jr./DT/FSU

Jalon Kilgore/S/S.Car

Jermod McCoy/CB/Tenn

[*Synric*]

(08-06-2025, 02:40 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Early five fine favs:

Parker Brailsford/IOL/Bama

Rueben Baines Jr/ED/TheU

Darrell Jackson Jr./DT/FSU

Jalon Kilgore/S/S.Car

Jermod McCoy/CB/Tenn

Kilgore is interesting because he played nickle corner at 6'1 220ish. I wonder if they move him into Nick Emmanwori's role from last season. 

[*bfine32*]

(08-07-2025, 10:34 AM)Synric Wrote: Kilgore is interesting because he played nickle corner at 6'1 220ish. I wonder if they move him into Nick Emmanwori's role from last season. 

I also like the kid who transferred from Purdue to Oregon (Thienemenn?) But a totally different skill set.

I hate that I like so many Edge players this year and hoping we don't need one. 

[puddycat]

I tend to look at risers this early; the one on my radar right now is QB Taylen Green Arkansas. Right now he's a 4th/5th toolsy, improving, 6'6" 230 with elite top-end speed. I'd like the Bengals to take advantage of the luxury of being able to develop a player. Also Gennings Dunker OT Iowa: more prospect than player in pass pro, but nothing to prove in the run game.

[*Synric*]

(08-07-2025, 02:36 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I also like the kid who transferred from Purdue to Oregon (Thienemenn?) But a totally different skill set.

I hate that I like so many Edge players this year and hoping we don't need one. 

Dillon Thieneman is fun to watch. He is that Jessie Bates type of Safety that can comfortably patrol thr deep 3rd as the single high Safety.


I'm surprised you didn't mention Louisville WR Chris Bell. He might be my favorite WR so far.

[*bfine32*]

(08-07-2025, 04:44 PM)Synric Wrote: Dillon Thieneman is fun to watch. He is that Jessie Bates type of Safety that can comfortably patrol thr deep 3rd as the single high Safety.


I'm surprised you didn't mention Louisville WR Chris Bell. He might be my favorite WR so far.

NOTHING from Louisville will ever be my favorite. 

I've not tracked WRs very much. I do know the Sophomore from OSU is pretty good