The Cincinnati Bengals could be eyeing another huge defensive asset in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In ESPN’s mock draft on June 30, Matt Miller listed Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell as the Bengals’ selection at the No. 24 spot in the first round.
Terrell, one of the most exciting defensive backs in college football, is coming off a successful campaign with the Tigers — recording 58 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 14 forced incompletions and three forced fumbles.
While he probably would prefer joining forces with his brother A.J. Terrell, currently a standout CB for the Atlanta Falcons, the Bengals could really be a fit.
Bengals Could Prioritize Their Secondary In 2026
The lack of stability on defense last season ultimately closed the playoff window for the Bengals. They allowed 25.5 points per game in 2024, and struggled to find a weekly rhythm against the pass.
Cam Taylor-Britt has flashed CB1 upside when healthy. DJ Turner II and Dax Hill have been progressing since being early draft picks. It’ll be interesting to see how the Bengals move forward with the 2026 NFL Draft if even one, or two of these players pan out next season.
The Bengals are also still dealing with the contract fiasco for Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart. There is a curtailed time frame for Cincinnati to get Stewart signed, so it’s possible that they can still work something out, but Hendrickson doesn’t appear to be any closer to reaching an agreement either.
There remains an outside chance that the Bengals could seek help on the defensive line in next year’s draft. For the moment, though, bolstering the corner and safety positions is the priority.
Clemson’s Talent Is Among The Nation’s Best
As polished as Terrell is at this stage of his college career, Clemson football is projected to have three first-round picks on the defensive side alone in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Overall, Dabo Swinney has a strong crop of players returning this season. T.J. Parker is one of the best edge rushers in the country, and Peter Woods was dominant in 2024 at defensive tackle.
It’s likely that the Bengals will be monitoring their big board as the year moves along, and many of the college games they will be watching may have Clemson on one of the sidelines.
The 2026 NFL Draft is still far away. A lot is going to change between now and April, and the rankings are rarely static. That said, the Bengals could use the versatility and competitiveness that Terrell brings. Not to mention — his consistency.
He can play at slot corner, or line up efficiently on the outside against an opposing team’s WR1. There’s plenty to like about his game, especially for a player who’s listed at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds.
Physically, he has great athleticism, and has shown up on many run plays to contain ball carriers. After making a significant leap in his sophomore campaign, Terrell recorded five tackles for a loss in 2024 and 45 solo tackles.
The Bengals are missing the intimidation factor defensively, and Terrell certainly has an opportunity to bring that to the franchise for many years.
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