Ethan D'S MOCK DRAFT
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2026 Draft

  • Ethan D DRAFTING FOR THE
    Bengals
Draft Selections
Rueben Bain Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 9 RND: 1 (CIN)
Rueben Bain Jr.
DL-EDGE Miami
Eugene Wilson III Head Shot
PICK: 44 RND: 2 (CIN)
Eugene Wilson III
WR Florida
Quinten Joyner Head Shot
PICK: 75 RND: 3 (CIN)
Quinten Joyner
RB Texas Tech
Boubacar Traore Head Shot
PICK: 110 RND: 4 (CIN)
Boubacar Traore
DL-EDGE Notre Dame
Bear Alexander Head Shot
PICK: 148 RND: 5 (CIN)
Bear Alexander
DT Oregon
Emmanuel Karnley Head Shot
PICK: 164 RND: 5 (CIN)
Emmanuel Karnley
CB Virginia
Gabe Jacas Head Shot
PICK: 229 RND: 7 (CIN)
Gabe Jacas
LB-EDGE Illinois
Draft Picks Received
Emmanuel Karnley Head Shot
PICK: 164 RND: 5 (PIT)
Emmanuel Karnley
CB Virginia
Draft Picks Traded
Dillon Thieneman Head Shot
PICK: 195 RND: 6 (DAL)
Dillon Thieneman
S Oregon
No Pick Head Shot
PICK: RND: 6 (ARI)
NEXT YEAR (2027)
 
No Pick Head Shot
PICK: RND: 7 (ARI)
NEXT YEAR (2027)
 
Draft Grade — Bengals
Overall C
ValueD NeedB- TradesB- FutureB-
The Bengals landed square in the muddy middle: C.

The rest of the league had time to spare on Emmanuel Karnley; the Bengals did not wait, grabbing him 327 spots ahead at pick 164. It nets out a thoroughly average C.

The Jacas pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. Spending an early pick on edge rusher with tight end, offensive lineman and other spots open is the decision the grade keeps circling back to. For all the activity, tight end went untouched, which is hard to explain.

Cornerback was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.

Hit on Rueben Bain Jr. and the swing picks, and this ages a lot better than it grades today.

Pick Analysis
Pick9 Rnd1 Rueben Bain Jr.
In No. 9 they get a double-digit-sack hope. Need was not the driver here.
Pick44 Rnd2 Eugene Wilson III
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Eugene Wilson III well ahead of where he belonged. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick75 Rnd3 Quinten Joyner
Quinten Joyner at the Round 3 slot is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Pick110 Rnd4 Boubacar Traore
Of all the spots to shop, they chose edge rusher. Boubacar Traore in pick No. 110 leaves tight end, offensive lineman and other spots for later.
Pick148 Rnd5 Bear Alexander
Bear Alexander in slot 148 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick164 Rnd5 Emmanuel Karnley
A big swing on Emmanuel Karnley at the 164th overall pick, well ahead of any board in the building. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick229 Rnd7 Gabe Jacas
Gabe Jacas at pick No. 229 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Depth on depth, at a spot that was hardly crying out.