Rueben Bain Jr. Would be the Dream Draft Pick for the Bengals![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kj19z5yrt4vwtk0kzq.jpg\" "\\"Miami")
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Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
“In this mock, the first round is a flat circle for Bengals fans, with Cincinnati going back to the edge well for the third time in four drafts,” Filice wrote.<\/a> “Last year\u2019s selection,\u00a0Shemar Stewart, was a raw, built-in-a-lab athlete with an alarming lack of college production. Bain\u2019s the opposite: an accomplished, squatty-bodied grinder who just posted an FBS-best 83 pressures, per PFF. <\/p>\n “Twenty-four of those pressures — as well as five sacks — came in a four-game CFB playoff run that fully showcased his violent game-wrecking ability. Bain\u2019s arm length will be a thing at the combine, but I have to imagine the Bengals would be overjoyed to snatch him up at No. 10.”<\/p>\n This would seemingly be the most realistic dream scenario the Bengals could ask for.<\/p>\n Bain has the chance to be the best player in the draft class. In fact, if he didn’t have a bit of a rough injury history, he would almost certainly be the consensus No. 2 pick to the New York Jets. Some mock drafts expect him to be gone at pick No. 2, pick No. 3, or pick No. 4.<\/p>\n So, if the Bengals could land him at pick No. 10, it would be the steal of the century.<\/p>\n Bain is the most polished edge rusher in the draft class. He’s coming off a huge postseason run in which he dominated opposing offensive tackles en route to finishing as the runner up in the National Championship. Still, he has the skills to be an elite edge rusher at the next level. The Bengals would be very forunate to add him in the same offseason they’re set to lose Hendrickson.<\/p>\n Check out the full mock draft here<\/a>. For more on the Bengals,\u00a0subscribe to our YouTube Channel<\/a>\u00a0and be sure to check us out on your favorite audio platforms, including\u00a0Apple Podcasts<\/a>,\u00a0Spotify<\/a>,\u00a0iHeartRadio<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Amazon<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n