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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Jermod McCoy of the Tennessee Volunteers poses for a portrait during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images The NFL Draft is nearly upon us!
The Cincinnati Bengals may not have checked every box in free agency, but they checked enough boxes to give them the flexibility to draft the best available player with the 10th overall pick, rather than trying to fill a need.
So who will it be?
Could it be Sonny Styles?
A moment ago, you were probably cursing me, saying that they haven’t done enough in free agency, and the word “linebacker” surely came into your mind.
Well, Zac Taylor repeated at the NFL owners meeting coaches’ breakfast what he and Al Golden have said countless times before: Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter were in a tough situation as a starting tandem of linebackers, and they kept getting better.
You can believe that or not, but whether or not it is true, I like that Zac Taylor thinks it’s true, and that is all that really matters. It wasn’t coach speak. They genuinely think those guys can get it done.
This is backed up by their approach to free agency. They spent big on a safety and an edge, then added an interior pass rusher. There may have been some interest in adding a linebacker, but we know they were never in on the top of the market guys. They weren’t going to put Bryan Cook or Boye Mafe money into a linebacker.
Why? Because they like the guys they have.
So, why Sonny Styles? Because he is a dude, that’s why.
Of course, it has felt all along like it will be a cornerback. Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy each put up crazy performances at their respective pro days.
Matt and Willie talk about this duo and which one of them is the best fit in Cincinnati.
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Who Dey!
