Bengals go in surprising directions in 3-round NFL Mock Draft from ESPN
Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) carries the ball defended by Mississippi Rebels cornerback Jaylon Braxton (2) and safety Wydett Williams Jr. (16) in the first quarter during the 2026 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesESPN writers Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates did a recent three-round alternating NFL mock draft, and it produced some interesting results for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals' first-round selection was made by Matt Miller, who chose LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the 10th overall selection. Miller had this to say about the pick,
DJ Turner II and Dax Hill are talented, but Delane would be an upgrade on the outside, where he can win at the line of scrimmage with great quickness and instincts.
Rueben Bain Jr. was still on the board when the Bengals made their selection. I would choose Bain over Delane personally, but it isn't an egregious reach by any means for Delane to go at pick 10.
With the Bengals' second-round pick, Mel Kiper selected Zachariah Branch, a speedy wide receiver from Georgia. Kiper said,
Branch is 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, but he's lightning quick (4.35-second 40-yard dash) and does damage after the catch. He'd be yet another playmaker for Joe Burrow alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
While we focus so much on defense, I do believe a quicker separator in the slot would be a big upgrade over Andrei Iosivas. Branch would also add value in the return game for Cincinnati.
With the Bengals' third and final selection of this mock draft, Field Yates selected Domonique Orange, a 6-2, 322-pound defensive tackle from Iowa State. Yates had this to say about the pick,
Cincinnati must address its defensive tackle depth. Big Citrus" is a powerful, explosive nose tackle to aid in that area.
I would personally prefer a defensive tackle with a little more pass rush juice than Orange, but he represents good value in the third round. He has some surprising quickness off the snap for a player of his size.
How would you feel if the Bengals end up with a draft similar to this one later this month? Sound off in the comments.
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