Joe Burrow can't deliver the Cincinnati Bengals' first-ever Super Bowl by himself, and the 2026 NFL Draft doesn't promise to bring in enough talent to get this franchise over the hump. However, it can serve as the foundation for success this coming year and well beyond.
Yes, this Bengals mock draft is designed to acquire some immediate-impact players. It's also an attempt to blend my own idealism with some of Cincinnati's penchant for drafting the younger, cheaper versions of projected veteran starters.
Countless examples abound of this phenomenon. Won't bore you with the details. We'll discuss each pick of this seven-round mock to drive that point home when appropriate.