Bengals scouts eyed these Red Raiders and Cougars 2027 draft prospects in Lubbock

Last week, while we were all enthralled with the Cincinnati Bengals and what they were about to do to the Houston Texans, their scouting department was already hard at work. 

Bengals scouts were in attendance for the Houston - Texas Tech matchup, which featured future players who will have their eyes fixed on April’s draft once their collegiate careers are done. 

Here, we’re going to take a look at whom Cincinnati’s scouts were focused on and how they could play a future role for the Bengals as the roster is presently constructed. 

Texas Tech will be well-represented in 2027 NFL Draft

When the Bengals made their way to Lubbock, Texas, they had their sights set on at least four Houston Cougars who will hear their names called either Friday or Saturday of the draft weekend. 

One of the more high-profile players that Cincinnati’s scouts were monitoring was Brice Pollock. The Red Raiders’ CB ranks 56th on Tankathon, 73rd on Mock Draft Database, and 66th on NFL Draft Buzz. 

In 2025, he had an incredible season, recording 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions, and eight passes defended, which put the Senior on scouts’ radar. 

Then there is linebacker Ben Roberts, who ranks 96th for Tankathon, 104th for MDD, and 83rd for NFL Draft Buzz. 

Roberts logged 90 tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, six passes defended, and two forced fumbles in 2025. 

Roberts showed that he could be the type of sure tackler who is capable of covering tight ends and running backs in pass coverage that the Bengals could use next season. 

Running back J’Koby Williams is climbing up draft boards already while he shares the backfield with Cameron Dickey. NFL Draft Buzz ranks Williams 142nd and currently places him in the fifth round.

Williams is having a career year so far, averaging 6.2 yards per carry while also proving to be an excellent receiver out of the backfield. 

Other players with draftable grades for Texas Tech so far, along with their Tankathon rankings, include DT AJ Holmes Jr. (60th), TE Terrance Carter Jr. (76th), and possible UDFAs DT Mateen Ibirogba and LB Austin Romaine.

With doubts still abounding over Cincinnati’s current starting linebacker and the contracts of both starting corners ending after this season, Roberts and Pollock are obvious players that the Bengals will keep an eye on.  

Cougars have a receiver worth keeping an eye on

For Houston, the scouting process was even more straightforward. 

Wide receiver Amare Thomas brought in 67 receptions for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. And through three games, he’s off to another hot start for the Cougars. 

NFL Draft Buzz ranks Thomas 189th and predicts he’ll go in the sixth round.

A Day 3 receiver could be on the Bengals’ bingo card in 2027, as wideout Andrei Iosivas is in the final year of his contract and currently on IR. Iosivas does not have the fanbase clamoring for a contract extension that some of his teammates do.

Another Cougars player heading to the NFL soon is edge rusher Adam Trick, a transfer from Miami of Ohio, whom NFL Draft Buzz ranks 107th overall. 

Meanwhile, Tankathon has Makhi Hughes (RB) and Conner Weigman (QB) on its list of NFL prospects for the Cougars. However, both remain unranked through two games. 

But that could change if Weigman continues on his 7:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and Hughes continues to average 5.3 yards per carry. 

Cincinnati’s backup QB situation is one of the best in the NFL this year. However, if Flacco decides to either call it a career or perhaps compete elsewhere for a starting role next offseason, the team will need another arm to compete for QB2. 

Now we wait to see where the Cincinnati Bengals scouts will pop up next if that sort of thing is your jam. 

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