Chad Reuter Mock Draft 2026 Puts Bengals Talent Front and Center While Exposing Linebacker Gap

Deep into the 2026 offseason, imagination keeps NFL fans alive. Chad Reuter of NFL.com answered the call with a seven-round mock draft built entirely around active players, designed to show how teams might stack instant contenders rather than chase prospects.

The format followed the real 2026 NFL Draft order in Round 1 before reversing each subsequent round, just like a fantasy draft. The result delivered plenty of star power and a few reunions that got people talking.

Top of the Board Delivered Star Power Early

The Las Vegas Raiders kicked things off by taking Josh Allen first overall. The New York Jets followed by landing Patrick Mahomes second. Matthew Stafford went third to the Arizona Cardinals. Then came Joe Burrow at No. 4 overall to the Tennessee Titans.

Ja’Marr Chase was the only other Bengal selected in Round 1. The Denver Broncos grabbed him at No. 30 overall. Later, Dexter Lawrence landed with the Washington Commanders at pick No. 58 in Round 2. Tee Higgins went to the Titans at No. 66 in Round 3, creating a Burrow-Higgins reunion in this purely hypothetical exercise.

Bengals Core Drew Heavy Interest

The mock draft made one thing clear: the Bengals still possess some of the league’s most coveted pieces. Burrow’s precision and poise made him a top-five target. Chase’s ability to stretch defenses and win one-on-one battles sent him flying up boards. Higgins added another layer of reliability that teams clearly valued.

Seeing multiple Bengals selected high reinforced how much respect exists around the league for what Cincinnati has built on offense. These aren’t just good players. They’re proven difference-makers who can elevate an entire roster the moment they step on the field.

One Position Jumped Off the Page for Cincinnati

Even with that offensive firepower on display, the exercise quietly underscored a persistent reality for the Bengals. Linebacker remains an area that needs attention if the team wants to take the next step.

Modern NFL offenses demand linebackers who can cover sideline to sideline, drop into zones without hesitation, and still hold up against the run. The Bengals have assembled stars at quarterback and wide receiver. Adding a playmaker at the second level of the defense would give the unit more versatility and toughness in the middle of the field.

Cap Space Opens a Window

The good news for Cincinnati is timing. The team still has meaningful cap room available this offseason. That flexibility matters when the goal is adding proven veterans who can contribute right away rather than projects who need time to develop.

We broke down exactly how the Bengals can attack those needs with their remaining cap space in the video below. The options range from veteran free agents who fit specific scheme fits to potential trade targets who could accelerate the timeline. The mock draft simply reminded everyone why that investment could pay immediate dividends.

Why These Exercises Reveal Real Truths

Reuter’s win-now approach highlighted how general managers actually think when windows are open. Teams reached for production and proven chemistry instead of upside. Quarterbacks and playmaking skill players dominated the early rounds because those positions move the needle fastest.

For Bengals fans, the sting of watching their stars get “drafted” by other squads in this fantasy setting comes with a silver lining. It shows the foundation in Cincinnati is strong enough that other teams would build around it immediately. The challenge now sits in completing the roster around that core.

Training camp will arrive before long. When it does, the focus will shift from mock drafts and hypotheticals to real progress on the practice field. The Bengals already have the kind of talent that makes other teams jealous. Closing the gap at linebacker could be the move that turns potential into sustained contention.