The Cincinnati Bengals face a pressing need to bolster their defense this offseason after fielding one of the league's worst units and losing several impact players in free agency. While the team has made initial moves by acquiring Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Jonathan Allen, continued defensive additions are crucial for their Super Bowl aspirations in February.

Draft Strategy and Defensive Targets

The Bengals, holding pick No. 10 in the first round, are expected to target top defensive prospects such as Caleb Downs, Mansoor Delane, Sonny Styles, and Rueben Bain Jr. However, the team must also conduct thorough evaluations of intriguing players available later in the draft.

Profiling Safety Prospect DeShon Singleton

One player drawing attention is safety DeShon Singleton, who participated in the Senior Bowl. According to reports, Singleton clocked his 40-yard dash between 4.52 and 4.55 seconds, following his decision not to run at the combine.

Singleton showcased impressive athleticism during testing, recording a 39.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-10 broad jump. He also performed well during defensive back drills, as noted by Pauline.

Scouting Report and Team Interest

At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Singleton is viewed strictly as a zone or strong safety by the league. There is no current discussion about converting him to a linebacker role, a possibility he had mentioned previously at the combine.

The Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans have all expressed notable interest in the prospect. The Titans' interest is noteworthy, given new head coach Robert Saleh's history with Jamien Sherwood, an oversized safety drafted by the Jets in 2021 who successfully transitioned to linebacker.

Singleton's NFL Draft Projection and Value

DeShon Singleton is currently projected to be selected in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, or potentially go undrafted. If he remains available, he presents an ideal, high-upside target for the Bengals in undrafted free agency.

Singleton is recognized as an explosive defensive back with the physical frame necessary to become a difference-maker. Although he remains a raw prospect, his ceiling is considered very high.

The coaching staff might explore utilizing him as a nickel defender within the Bengals' scheme. Even if he develops slowly, selecting him late in the seventh round would represent a potentially valuable project addition.