Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals

Dax Hill could potentially receive a contract extension with the Bengals this offseason, but should the Bengals proceed with extending him? What they do and don't do when it comes to Dax Hill's future goes hand-in-hand with what the Bengals could do with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft.  On the other side of the ball, the Bengals have the best wide receiver duo in the NFL. But behind them...

The Cincinnati Bengals could face pivotal decision with the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft: to draft Caleb Downs, or go in another direction? Football IQ and playmaking potential are center stage as Joe Goodberry breaks down Downs’ fit, tackling prowess, and versatility. Or maybe Dillon Thieneman’s rare range and athleticism could bring back Jesse Bates vibes? Joe joins Jake Liscow and James Rapi...

Will the Cincinnati Bengals address the defensive tackle spot early in the 2026 NFL Draft? Is there a DT worth the 10th pick? James Rapien and Jake Liscow are joined by Joe Goodberry to discuss the top defensive tackle options in this year's draft. From Peter Woods to Kayden McDonald and Caleb Banks, the guys discuss all of the top options. Plus, options like Domonique Orange, Gracen Halton, Lando...

You shouldn't be surprised if the Cincinnati Bengals target a cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft. And there are candidates beyond Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane! Jake Liscow and Joe Goodberry break down the Bengals' top CB targets for pick #10, day 2, and the beginning of day 3, as we expect them to address the position early on in the draft. Players discussed: Jermaine McCoy 4:05 Mansoor Delane 7:...

The conversation for every team, including the Bengals, when it comes to the NFL Draft is who and what they're looking for. But what about who and what to avoid? That's just as important. Which players should the Bengals avoid in the NFL Draft? What should the Bengals NOT be looking for?  Last year the Bengals took a gamble by drafting Shemar Stewart in the first round. It didn't necessarily work...

Linebacker remains one of the Cincinnati Bengals’ biggest needs after free agency didn't add a veteran. Will Sonny Styles or Jacob Rodriguez provide the instant impact and leadership the Bengals need? Jake Liscow and Joe Goodberry assess first-round value, standout day two prospects, and the best fits for Al Golden's defense that is hoping for growth from Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter. The d...

The Cincinnati Bengals could target top edge rush prospects in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Could Rueben Bain Jr. or David Bailey be the key to energizing their pass rush? James Rapien and Jake Liscow are joined by Joe Goodberry to analyze potential first-round targets and pinpoint potential day two and three gems in a deep and skilled edge rusher class. We dive into prioritizing run def...

It's obvious that the Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of needs going into this year's NFL Draft, especially on defense. But what exactly is their biggest need? Are they in a can't-miss position with all of these needs?  FOX19 Sports Director Joe Danneman makes his Bengals Squad debut as he joins Alex Frank and Coach Art Valero to further break down how the Bengals may attack the NFL Draft in two wee...

If the Cincinnati Bengals draft a tight end later this month, the archetype they need to add a guy who can do it all in a room full of specialists. Tight end analyst Max Toscano joins Jake Liscow to examine why one-trick ponies at the position aren’t enough, and which tight end prospects—like Max Klare, Eli Raridon, and Oscar Delp—would best fit Cincinnati’s offense in a day-by-day exploration of...

The Cincinnati Bengals released Matt Lee on Tuesday and suddenly the Bengals need a backup for Ted Karras. Jake Liscow and James Rapien try to make sense of why they'd release Lee now instead of letting him compete through the offseason program and training camp. Instead, the Bengals will need to find a backup and/or developmental replacement to build up offensive line depth behind a starting unit...

Will the Bengals' top defensive targets in the draft like Caleb Downs, Jermaine McCoy, or Reuben Bain slip to pick 10? Draft analyst Mike Renner and Jake Liscow break down who will likely be picked in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft before the Bengals are on the clock. Plus, Renner believes this is a great linebacker class if the Bengals are looking for an upgrade after spending 2 picks at the po...

The Cincinnati Bengals have many needs on defense this offseason. But they also can approach rebuilding their defense in multiple ways. One of those ways is setting the tone up front, and the Bengals selecting Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 10 could do just that: Set. The. Tone.  Speaking of the defensive line, what is the current state of the room? There is talent on the edges, but what about the interio...

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is visiting the Cincinnati Bengals this week ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Would the Bengals take him at 10 and pair him with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase? Is it realistic? James Rapien and Jake Liscow answer those questions, plus they talk about other offensive targets and how realistic it is for the Bengals to address the offense on day two of the draft! Eve...

If Caleb Downs is there at 10, you pick him, right? Maybe not! The guys discuss the scenario where a pass rusher may just make more sense than Downs, and then navigate a 4-round mock draft that scoops up fallers in the first three rounds. We discuss the David Bailey vs. Rueben Bain vs. Caleb Downs discussion at 10. Then, value meets need with Chris Johnson, Lee Hunter, Jacob Rodriguez, and Jake Go...

Chase Brown rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2025 and was second on the team in receptions, despite playing with and catching passes from three different quarterbacks. Is he the long-term answer for the Bengals at running back? It would be wise for the Bengals to at least decide sooner rather than later if he is or isn't.  The Bengals made some additions to their secondary on Thursday, including saf...

The Cincinnati Bengals have to hit big in the draft this year with the opportunity to pick near the top of each round. Jake Liscow and James Rapien handicap likely Bengals targets at #10, spotlighting Caleb Downs, Jermod McCoy, Mansoor Delane, Reuben Bain, Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese. The guys weigh positional value debates, what the Bengals' recent draft history suggests, and what mock draft da...

The Cincinnati Bengals added to the secondary on Thursday, with safety Kyle Dugger joining the team on a one-year deal. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down Dugger's fit as a box/slot defender or as a third safety, and praise the Bengals for making a move to add useful depth. Plus, they discuss how Dugger could impact the Bengals' draft plans both for Caleb Downs in the first round, or for hybr...

The Cincinnati Bengals are in the market for a defensive star. Could Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy be that guy? James Rapien and Jake Liscow react to McCoy's pro day, explain why he could be the top cornerback taken, plus they explain why the Bengals could be comfortable taking the former Volunteer with the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They also discuss D'Angelo Ponds, Chris Joh...

Zac Taylor discussed the Bengals' ongoing priorities on defense as the spotlight is on Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter at linebacker, additions at cornerback, and more juice for the pass rush. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down what Taylor told reporters in Arizona at the AFC coach's breakfast during owners' meetings in Arizona, including why they continue to believe the Bengals are l...

While the majority of Bengals fans are screaming for a defensive player to be the player selected at No. 10 in the NFL Draft, there's a strong case to be made that Jeremiyah Love could actually be the best option for the Bengals.  Alex Frank, Jake Liscow, and Coach Valero discuss the benefits of the Bengals drafting Jeremiyah Love, even if there are more major needs on defense.  The Cincinnati Enq...

The Cincinnati Bengals used two void years on Joe Flacco's 1-year deal, reducing his 2026 cap hit by nearly $2.7 million. Why would they do that? Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how exactly the Bengals structured Flacco's deal, and why it could be an indicator that another modest veteran addition could come after the draft when free agents no longer impact compensatory picks.  Plus, as Kat...

What if the top 6 defensive players in the draft are selected before the Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock? Jake Liscow and James Rapien work through that scenario in this week's Mock Draft Monday, where offensive linemen like Francis Mauigoa and Vega Ioane or wide receivers like Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon are the best players available.  Could the Bengals go offense at 10 in that scenario, or...

Joe Flacco is back to backup Joe Burrow in 2026, and it's a testament to a bigger picture that the Bengals' front office is listening to the players and the fans.  Alex Frank and Coach Art Valero discuss the value Flacco brings not only as a backup quarterback but also as a sounding board and invaluable resource to Joe Burrow.  Joe Burrow has plenty of weapons on offense, but does he have enough?...

The Cincinnati Bengals added to their roster in free agency with Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen, but significant needs remain. James Rapien and Jake Liscow breakdown their top needs and explain why it's going to be hard to fill all of the holes in the 2026 NFL Draft!  That includes an in-depth discussion about the young players on defense including Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart, Demetrius...

Joe Flacco wanted a chance to start in 2026, but decided to return to the Cincinnati Bengals to back up Joe Burrow well before training camp or offseason injuries could require his services elsewhere. After Flacco addressed the media Wednesday morning, Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down why he believed Cincinnati was the best fit for the 41 year-old who proved last year he can provide startin...