The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is officially on the books. Starting next week, the focus will turn to free agency. The Cincinnati Bengals got a head start by re-signing linebacker Dalton Risner to a one-year contract worth $5 million.
Free agency will help shape the Bengals’ draft plans, and we’ll soon have a better idea of ​​what they’re capable of, especially early in the draft. Now, now that the combine has come and gone, let’s try a full mock draft again.
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We use the simulator from Stick to the Model to conduct this mock draft.
No. 10 – Caleb Downs, small forward, Ohio State
Somehow, Caleb Downs is still available at No. 10, and it’s hard to pass up on him, even if his Ohio State teammate linebacker Sonny Styles, who wowed everyone at the combine, is still on the roster. It’s a good safety group this year, with probably three going in the first round. The Bengals won’t risk waiting to see if the team drops to No. 41.
No. 41 – D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
The Bengals like Dax Hill and DJ Turner on the outside, but they can stand up and find a corner. The pond is perfect for this role. Ponds certainly isn’t ideal size (5-foot-9, 182 pounds), but he’s very athletic and isn’t afraid to take on opposing receivers. We saw this on full display in the College Football Playoff, including Peach Bown’s semifinal game against Oregon State and his tone-setting pick-six on the first play from scrimmage. He also showed plenty of explosiveness on the combine training ground. His 43.5-inch vertical leap was one of the best this week — Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers had the best length at 45.5 inches.
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No. 72 – Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
The Bengals will need edge help, especially if (when?) Trey Hendrickson leaves in free agency. Lawrence had a strong week at the Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Lawrence to Josh Sweat. He’s not a flashy, flashy player, but he does the dirty work and gets the job done. Lawrence totaled 20 sacks in his final three years at UCF and was the school’s only player named to the All-Big 12 first team.
No. 110 – Sam Hecht, center, Kansas State University
The Bengals re-signed Dalton Risner and now have starting backs Risner and Dylan Fairchild returning in 2026. Center remains a question mark as Ted Karras is a free agent. Regardless of whether he returns or not, center remains a long-term question. Hecht is one of the better centers in this class. In 2025, he took zero penalties and was named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Joe Burrow hopes this type of work will protect his voice.
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No. 188 – West Weeks, LB, LSU
No. 198 – Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA
No. 227 – Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson
The last three picks are about adding depth at certain positions of need (particularly linebacker) and adding some special teams value. Weeks had his best season yet, finishing with 74 tackles, eight for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. Henry rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Roadrunners, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry and scoring nine rushing touchdowns. Leigh offers positional versatility at tackle and guard.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals 7-round NFL mock draft after scouting combine
