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Bleacher Report put out their post-combine 3-round NFL mock draft this week. They had the Cincinnati Bengals going with three straight defensive players.
With the first round selection, they had the Bengals select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Saying this about the selection,
Downs is an immediate difference-maker, who can change the entire complexion of the team’s defense.
“Talent in the backend at all costs should be the aim in Cincinnati,” B/R scout Daniel Harms said. “The secondary has long been a sore spot in Cincinnati.
“Downs was never going to blow up the combine with his elite athletic traits, but he has the instincts play on the roof of the defense, the route-recognition and football IQ to come down as a robber or two-high player and he can man-cover tight ends as a big nickel. Downs is a defensive floor raiser and allows Cincinnati’s young corners to keep getting better, with a player on the backend who knows exactly how to support everyone on defense.”
Downs is a popular selection for the Bengals prior to the beginning of free agency. Downs is a high-floor prospect that would be a leader in the locker room from day one. Getting a player with his football intelligence could help drastically improve the defense.
A bit of surprise selection in the second round, with the Bengals taking Chandler Rivers. This personally feels about a round too early for the 5’9” 185-pound corner from Duke. Rivers has played mostly on the outside in college, but is expected to transition to playing in the slot at the next level.
Rivers has a ton of experience with 40 starts in college. Rivers posted an 80.7 coverage grade in 2025. In 2024, that grade was even higher at 89.8. Regardless of this potentially being a bit early, I do think Rivers could come in and start immediately at slot corner.
With the third round draft choice, they had the Bengals select Jacob Rodriguez. The All-American linebacker recently impressed at the combine, posting a 9.23 relative athletic score.
Rodriguez is only 6’1” and 231 pounds, but he is instinctive, athletic, and fantastic at creating turnovers. Rodriguez has 13 career forced fumbles, to go along with 6 career interceptions.
This would be a draft full of high-character leaders. For a Bengals team that is in full-swing of a youth movement on the defensive side of the ball, these selections could pay huge dividends for the future of the team.
What are your thoughts on this mock draft? Sound off in the comments.