As it has been in recent years, the Bengals upcoming draft is going to be crucial in fixing things along the defensive side of the football. We have talked about it nonstop and the numbers are what they are. But there has to be some recognition of how well the unit has responded in the closing games of the year.
They allowed a season low 233 yards to the Cardinals this past week and have forced 11 turnovers in their last six games. The defense also has 14 sacks in the five most recent contests. There are signs of life and of improvement for Al Golden and his players, and grounds for at least some positivity going into 2026.
However, the last thing the Bengals can afford to do is miss on a top pick in this upcoming class especially if it’s a defensive player (can they really draft any other position but a defensive one?). They have several players in mind no doubt and several of them were on display last night as the Ohio State Buckeyes took on the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl, a surprising outcome for most given the talent the Buckeyes have.
Miami put on a dominant defensive performance, taking down the Buckeyes 24-14 and the country got a good look at some of the potential young men Cincinnati could call on to help rehabilitate their defense for the long term.
RUEBEN BAIN, JR.
We’ve profiled Bain before, as have most writers with a pick in the top 15. He is a certified game wrecker at the defensive end position, and he showed yet more proof of that last night. Although his numbers don’t always jump off the page, his performance on film absolutely does.
Last night he had three tackles, including 1.5 for loss and one sack, but it was the constant pressure he applied to the Buckeyes’ offensive line and quarterback Julian Sayin that was the most impressive. He forces offenses to change their game plan when he lines up against them and mandates frequent double teams and chip blocks, leaving his teammates (in this case Akheem Mesidor and company) free to make plays being blocked one on one.
But when he does get the opportunity to get home, he gets there with speed, violence, and body control that is rare for a man of his size. He also plays the run well and has a motor that you love to see.
But as with every high-level pick there are concerns. With Bain it is his “arm length” and it was referenced numerous times during the lead up to the Cotton Bowl and even during it. For a player of his frame, his arms measure at 30 inches, which some see as a potential problem against NFL caliber blocking.
The Bengals have been faced with this issue before and have often chosen to draft in accordance with a prospect’s physical potential as opposed to their on-field production. To date, with players like Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart the results are still pending, but with the likes of Amarius Mims it appears to have been a winning strategy.
Bain is projected to be taken at a wide range of spots across the first round. So there is a realistic possibility he could be there for Cincinnati, and they should not discount what the film about Bain makes clear: he can have an instant impact rushing the passer. While it is true that Cincinnati has spent two premium first round picks on the defensive end position, a team can never have too many dangerous pass rushers.
CALEB DOWNS
The Bengals will be parting ways with Geno Stone after the end of this season, and Downs could step instantly into that position if he falls Cincinnati’s way. He also had a big night in the Cotton Bowl, forcing two fumbles and wracking up 10 tackles.
Safety may not be seen as a huge impact position but the way Downs excels against the run and still can do damage in coverage is a unique blend of ability that Cincinnati could really use. They are not alone as he is almost universally seen as a top 10 pick and so could be scooped up early on.
ARVELL REESE
Arvell Reese perhaps lost the most from his performance last night. Depending on who was keeping statistics, Reese had just three solo tackles against Miami. He was largely a non-factor, which continued the downward trend he faced over the last several games of the season. Through the first eight games of the 2025 season, Reese totaled 54 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. However, in the five subsequent games he posted just eight tackles, one tackle for loss and no sacks.
He is still a great physical prospect that has an extremely high ceiling. One game won’t mark the end of that promise. But there is a question as to just how much work may be left for a team to transform him into an NFL ready player.
