The Cincinnati Bengals may not be done shaping their offense. With the 2026 NFL Draft nearing, a local visit has brought attention to a less-discussed position. Who is the player who has completed his five seasons in college to come under the NFL radar?

James Rapien from BengalsTalk.com shared the update on April 10, noting that the Bengals are hosting former Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Joe Royer. He will be the centre of attention for the pre-draft visit this weekend.

The draft is set for April 23–25, and visits like this often point toward late-round interest. Royer is a familiar name in the area. He began his college career at Ohio State before moving to Cincinnati, where he became a reliable part of the offense. That local connection can matter when teams evaluate nearby prospects.

According to the Mock Draft Database, Royer is ranked 153rd overall and ninth among tight ends. That places him in the Day 3 range, where the Bengals hold picks like No. 110 and No. 189.

His production adds context. In 2024, Royer set a school record with 50 catches for 521 yards. He followed that with 29 receptions for 416 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. This feat earned him the All-Big 12 honors. But maybe Cincinnati is not chasing him because of his stats.

Over his final two seasons at Cincinnati, Royer stayed consistent as a starter and produced steady output in a defined role. He showed he can handle a full workload and remain available, which matters for teams looking at Day 3 options.

At the 2026 NFL Combine, director of player personnel Duke Tobin spoke about the need for stronger leadership across the roster.

“I see growth in a 24-year-old Myles Murphy and young corners who have taken the jump, and Jordan Battle, who has taken the jump,” Tobin said.

How does Royer fit the bill in Cincinnati when it comes to leadership?

"He’s also a hard worker, made himself much stronger. You see him now – he’s a big guy. He’ll give everything he’s got for sure," said Royer's former mentor, Elder High School football coach Doug Ramsey.

But will it be an easy race for Cincinnati to land Royer?

Cincinnati Bengals Could Face Added Pressure from the Denver Broncos in Joe Royer Race

The Bengals are not the only team keeping an eye on local talent Royer ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Denver Broncos are also running the race. The situation is starting to look more competitive than expected.

What makes this more interesting is his draft range. Royer is expected to go somewhere between the third and fifth rounds, which puts both teams in a position to realistically target him.

Even after bringing back multiple tight ends, like Adam Trautman and Evan Engram, among others, the Broncos still lack a clear long-term option at the position. Royer fits that need, especially as a player who can develop into a bigger role over time.

He brings a rare blend of size and athletic upside. In that way, Royer can elevate the passing game for the Broncos as Engram’s eventual replacement.

For the Bengals, this creates a small but real challenge. Staying local may help, but if Denver values him more or moves earlier, Cincinnati could miss out on a prospect who fits both their system and plans.

What do you think about Cincinnati's chances to land Royer? Share your thoughts.

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar