The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the last official things to happen before free agency begins in March. That is, take position changes in the draft for players with caution.
Still, we can definitely talk about it with that understanding. NFL teams are more likely to leave the Combine with questions than answers to anything. Players who look more athletic or even those who look less athletic will be re-evaluated with the tape to see if it matches.
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Here are the winners and losers of the NFL Scouting Combine who could be targets for the Bengals.
Winners
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles:
It’s rare to see a player get a RAS (Relative Athletic Rating) of 10 out of 10. To see him do it at 6’5 and 240 pounds. It is something that is seen very, very rarely. Styles has definitely helped his stock, turning in a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical jump, and an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump.
He started the day with many wondering if being picked in the top 10 was worth it. Now the question is whether he can get out of the top 5.
Florida coach Caleb Banks:
Banks was a player who missed most of 2025 after a spectacular 2024. He passed the test well, showing that he has recovered and is ready to play. This also follows a dominant Senior Bowl week.
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Banks put up some impressive athletic numbers coming in at 6’6, 320 pounds and with 35 inch long arms. He certainly looks like an NFL defensive tackle.
Clemson DT Demonte Capeheart:
Capeheart is more of a Day 3 target, but he showed some serious explosiveness that will definitely make scouts take a second look. A 4.85 40-yard dash and 33.5-inch vertical jump certainly show there may be more to Peter Woods’ running mate.
Oregon S Dillion Thienman:
Outside of Styles, it’s hard to argue that anyone had a better combine than Thienman. A 4.35-second 40-yard dash with a 1.52-second 10-yard split and a 41-inch vertical confirmed what you saw on the field from safety. I flew around the countryside and Johny was always there. Thienman may not be in play at the No. 10 pick, but if they trade him again, he would be on a very short list of players they would like to get their hands on.
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Losers
Miami coach, Rubén Bain:
It seemed like everyone expected Bain’s arms to be short. Getting to 30 7/8 inches and below that 31 inch mark really hurts a bit. He’s a guy that many expected to be a top pick. He had a dominant season with 12 sacks and 68 hurries (which led the FBS), but now will teams think too much about this? In reality, it means Bain may be right in range for the Bengals.
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M EDGE:
Another prospect taking a hit to his stock due to his short arms is Howell. His came to 30 1/4 inches. He had 11.5 sacks last year after 27 pressures. Howell is projected as a first rounder, but this could push him to Day 2 with many EDGE players at that level falling after Bain and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese.
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Toledo S. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren:
McNeil Warren has been the favorite of many evaluators. Some have even been cheating him in the first round. However, he recorded a 4.52-second 40-yard dash. That was the second slowest among safeties when many other players at his level looked extremely athletic.
Ironically, like Bain, this can put him firmly in the Bengals’ range in the second round of the draft if they so choose.
Texas Tech coach Lee Hunter:
This one is a little more intriguing. Hunter is considered one of the top 50 players in this draft. He wasn’t exactly someone many in Cincinnati would have made fun of at one point because he is primarily considered a nose tackle and run blocker. The Bengals simply need more pass rush inside than anything else.
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Hunter’s performance at the Combine has made him a mere nose tackle with no real upside. He lacks explosiveness as he was near or at the bottom with a 21.5-inch vertical broad jump, 8-foot-4 and only a 5.18-second 40-yard dash. He may still be a good player, but he doesn’t deserve a premium pick for what Cincinnati needs.