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The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching on April 23, and with the Cincinnati Bengals holding the No. 10 selection, they can add an impact player right away to help them end their playoff drought.

Nonetheless, the question is whether the Bengals will go offense or defense and what specific position. Although that’s still uncertain, Cincinnati, along with four other teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, was named the best fit for former Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman.

Last season with the Ducks, Thieneman posted an overall defensive grade of 89.9 from PFF, ranking eighth among 914 qualified safeties. His 90.5 coverage grade also placed eighth in that group, while his 69.3 run-defense grade came in at 442nd.

He finished the year with two interceptions and four pass breakups, allowing a 66.2 passer rating when targeted. Opposing quarterbacks completed 15 passes against him in coverage. He also added 54 solo tackles, contributing both in run support and in the open field.

As a result, Oregon Ducks on SI’s Kyle Clements listed the Bengals, along with the Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and Kansas City Chiefs as the best fits for Thieneman.

“The Cincinnati Bengals should look to Dillon Thieneman to boost their secondary in the 2026 NFL Draft,” Clements wrote in his April 11 article. “The Bengals will have a better chance than the Cowboys and Steelers to land him, as they select at No. 10 in the upcoming draft.

“If former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is still available for the Bengals, they may select him over Thieneman, but Thieneman would bring a physical presence to Cincinnati that has been missing over the years.”

Bengals Get Another Draft Prospect to Have on Their Radar

Another draft prospect the Bengals are being urged to consider is one who can help them replace Trey Hendrickson. FanSided’s Justin Carter floated the name of Zion Young as someone the Bengals should look to draft in the second round.

“With Hendrickson gone from a defense that already had plenty of holes, the Bengals are going to need some guys to step up,” Carter wrote in his April 11 article. “Specifically, 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart has to prove he was worth that investment.

“But adding another edge rusher in the draft should be a priority as well. I wouldn’t go there at Pick No. 10 because defensive back is an even bigger concern, but when the Bengals are on the clock at Pick No. 41, taking the best available edge rusher seems like a good idea, and Missouri’s Zion Young might be that guy.”

Why Zion Young to Cincinnati Makes Sense

Moreover, Carter explained why Young would be the ideal player for the Bengals to target in the 2026 NFL Draft to replace Hendrickson.

“Young is built to be an NFL edge rusher as far as his physical build goes, though he has to work on getting off the line faster to ensure he can get into the backfield and get to the quarterback,” Carter added.

It will be interesting to see whether the Bengals go defense with their first two picks, given that the group was a major reason the team lost games last season.