As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Cincinnati Bengals are closely examining their EDGE rushers. After losing several key edge defenders in free agency, the team has added Boye Mafe and evaluating last year pick, Shemar Stewart’s progress to fix a defense that struggled badly last season.

The Bengals have heavily invested in first-round picks in edge rushers over the past few years but have not seen the expected results. This offseason, they had already lost three key contributors, including All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, which had pushed them towards reshaping the unit quickly.

Mafe's addition is the most recent effort to fill that gap. The team brought him in on a three-year, $60 million deal in March. The hefty investment came with the hope that Mafe could break out in their scheme in a very similar way to how Hendrickson once developed. But how does he fit in the Bengals?

Cincinnati will look to its Super Bowl-winning addition to anchor the defensive front. The same defense ranked 31st in total defense in 2025 and last in rushing defense

When it comes to Mafe's stats, it tells a part of the story. Over four seasons in Seattle, Mafe recorded 20 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and 120 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. However, he managed just two sacks in 17 games in 2025. So, the Bengals will need more from him in that area. Can he do it?

Being the package of physicality and engagement, Mafe is strong against the run and plays with intensity. The Bengals, who allowed 147 rushing yards per game last season, are hoping he can step up as their primary pass-rushing threat.

On the other hand, things might get tough with Stewart for the Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals Gets a Wake Up Call With the 2025 Pick Shemar Stewart

Stewart’s 2025 season was derailed by injuries. It led to little production for a Bengals defense that finished last in yards per play allowed (6.1). Meanwhile, the defensive end earned the lowest PFF grade at his position (41.2) in eight games.

"Everything about Stewart joining the Bengals has gone poorly," Sports Illustrated's Matt Verdarame wrote "After being selected with the No. 17 pick out of Texas A&M, Stewart didn’t sign for months, missing a portion of Cincinnati’s offseason program before showing up to training camp in late July." 

Cincinnati is still expected to address the edge position, mainly because of Stewart’s lack of production. If they use the No. 10 pick there, they’ll need a player who can make an immediate impact.

One of the names that comes to mind in connection with the Bengals is that of Miami’ Hurricanes' Rueben Bain Jr. According to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s mock draft, the Bengals are predicted to take him with the 10th pick.

Will things fall into place defensively for Cincinnati this season? Share your thoughts.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar