The Cincinnati Bengals have been blessed to have edge rusher Trey Hendrickson on their team for the last few years, but injuries have cut his 2025 season short.
The former New Orleans Saints defensive end was the NFL's sack leader in 2024 and has accumulated 61 sacks during his Bengals tenure. But given his age, it seems unlikely Hendrickson is back in 2026.
Cincinnati is currently projected to pick 10th overall in next April's draft, and ESPN's Field Yates has projected them to land a Hendrickson replacement in Miami's Reuben Bain Jr.
Field Yates' mock draft has Bengals selecting Reuben Bain Jr. At No. 10
"Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai (who leads the teams in sacks) are scheduled to be free agents in Cincinnati. The Bengals tried to prepare for this future by taking Shemar Stewart in the first round this year, but he has been a nonfactor. Cincinnati really needs to look at the defense again. The Bengals are allowing 6.3 yards per play, worst in the NFL," wrote Yates.
"While some scouts think Bain's lack of length could make him a late first-round pick, all of them agree he's one of the best prospects at his position. I like him in Cincinnati. His relentless, powerful and explosive traits helped him to ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors this season. Expect much more debate around Bain and his ceiling in the coming months, but no offense had a real answer for him at the collegiate level."
Although they've taken multiple swings on pass rushers in years past, Bain is too talented a player to pass up if he makes it this far down the board.
And given the predicted departures, Cincinnati will certainly have the need, and the Miami product could be the long-term answer the Bengals are looking for.
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