With the calendar turning to April, we are officially heading into draft month. The NFL world will descend upon Pittsburgh in just over three weeks, with the draft scheduled for April 23-25.
Mock drafts are going to come fast and furious over these last three weeks of the draft cycle. The latest for the Cincinnati Bengals will come here as we go through a full seven-round mock, using the draft simulator on Stick to the Model. With this mock, we are experimenting with the Bengals moving into the top five to land their target. With that, let’s get started.
No. 5 (projected trade with Giants) – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Bengals trade their third-round pick this year (No. 72 overall) and a 2027 third-round pick to the New York Giants to get the linebacker they so desperately need. After watching both of their rookie linebackers struggle in 2025, the Bengals need a major boost in the middle of the defense. Styles’ athleticism would be a major welcome addition to the Bengals’ defense. Styles is a safety in a linebacker’s body. Styles might be the best fit for the Bengals in this class and the Bengals should feel more than comfortable trading two thirds, especially when they are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick next year for Trey Hendrickson.
No. 41 – Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
The Bengals get their new cornerback in the second round and land a versatile corner in Keith Abney of Arizona State. Abney can work inside or outside and recorded 12 passes defended last season and 21 over the last two seasons. He doesn’t have ideal size (5’10”, 187 pounds) but his instincts help overcome his size. He gives Al Golden some flexibility in the defensive backfield.
No. 110 – Jaishawn Barham, LB/Edge, Michigan
Barham can be a hybrid player on the edge. He has flashed ability at both off-ball linebacker and on-ball edge. He can also play inside or outside. He helped his cause quite a bit by posting a 4.64 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine. Barham has plenty of experience, having started 47 games in four seasons between Michigan and Maryland and recording four sacks and ten tackles for a loss in 2025.
No. 189 – Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
A near-300-pound space-eater in the middle of the defense, adding depth behind B.J. Hill and Jonathan Allen. Regis had 49 tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2025.
No. 199 – James Brockermeyer, IOL, Miami
The Bengals roll the dice on an undersized center at just under 300 pounds, but will get the chance to develop for a year behind Ted Karras and potentially compete for a starting job in 2027.
No. 221 – VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
Payne has experience at multiple safety spots and has the run-tackling ability and closing speed to help on special teams.
No. 226 – Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
Canady gives the Bengals another option at the nickel position. He’s only 5’10” and 181 pounds, but scouts love his ability to stick with receivers throughout their routes. He will likely get overmatched by bigger bodies, but he has the potential to develop into a starting nickel, giving the Bengals two potential starting defensive backs from this group.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals aggressive with Round 1 trade up in 7-round NFL mock draft
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