The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For the Cincinnati Bengals, the biggest need is an obvious one: Edge rusher.
The Bengals lost edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to their division rival Ravens this offseason, but Cincinnati added Boye Mafe to help replace Hendrickson. The Bengals still have work to do at defensive end. Cincinnati had the worst pass rush win rate in the NFL in 2025, per ESPN.
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Here's everything you need to know about the Cincinnati Bengals for this year's draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster:
Cincinnati signed Dalton Risner to help shore up the interior of the offensive line but Ioane could be an even better option. He's a plug-and-play starter who would give the Bengals' offensive line an edge immediately with his power and movement in the run game. They need a lot of help on defense but this would be an incredible fit for the offense.
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Like the Ravens, the Bengals don't have an obvious trade candidate. Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are virtually untouchable with the value they bring to the team's offense. Cincinnati's previously obvious trade candidate was edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, but he walked in free agency, signing a multi-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. That leaves Perine, the Bengals' backup running back to Chase Brown. Perine is in the last year under contract in Cincinnati and has made a career for himself as a complementary back that can catch passes out of the backfield. The Bengals wouldn't receive a massive return for a backup player, but there aren't any other obvious trade candidates.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cincinnati Bengals 2026 NFL Draft: Picks, team needs, trade candidates