Bengals' Draft Dilemma: Downs or McCoy?

As the Cincinnati Bengals face a critical offseason, a recent mock draft has sparked debate by suggesting they might select Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy over highly-touted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 10th overall pick. This potential selection is controversial, as McCoy missed the entire 2025 season recovering from a torn ACL. He will be two years removed from his last game played by the start of the upcoming NFL season.

While McCoy is considered a first-round caliber cornerback, his recent injury history raises concerns for a team that has not always had success with prospects recovering from major college injuries. Furthermore, the Bengals currently have a solid cornerback pairing in DJ Turner and Dax Hill, diminishing the immediate need for McCoy. His potential role would likely be as a future starter after Turner or Hill depart in subsequent offseasons, making the decision to pass on an instant-impact player like Downs a significant gamble.