Bengals scouts stalked these Ole Miss and Mizzou prospects in Oxford

The Cincinnati Bengals took Week 6 off this past weekend for their bye week. However, the front office was still on their grind, looking for talent in the 2027 NFL Draft.

This weekend, the Bengals scouts had a front-row seat to the Ole Miss-Missouri game. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much suspense around the outcome of the game, as it was out of hand by halftime. 

Fortunately for Cincinnati’s scouts, due to the quickly subdued ambiance, they were able to concentrate on a few interesting prospects in relative peace thanks to Mississippi’s overwhelming victory, 31-3.

Here are the Missouri and Mississippi players the Bengals were in Oxford to see. 

Mizzou Tigers who could change into Bengals stripes

The Bengals could go the route of drafting a prospect in the first round to play behind a player in the final year of his contract. In this scenario, offensive lineman Cayden Green is the prospect, and Orlanod Brown Jr. is the veteran. 

At times, Green looked a lot like the 10th overall prospect that PFF lists him as. At other moments, Tankathon's 35th and Mock Draft Database’s 42nd overall ranking looked appropriate, as defenders got the best of him a few times. 

Nevertheless, the talent is evident. And his massive 6'5, 324-pound frame and long wingspan will make him an enticing pick. As will his experience at both guard and tackle. 

Green could be an intriguing prospect if they are looking for someone who could step in as an upgrade to the left guard spot in 2027 with the flexibility to kick out to left tackle in 2028 once Orlando Brown's contract expires. 

Running back Ahmad Hardy wasn't on the field against Mississippi on Saturday. However, you could bet a lot of whatever you want that the Bengals were on a fact-finding mission inquiring about the star RB. 

Hardy is still recovering from a gunshot wound suffered earlier this year. He hasn't suited up yet in 2026, and his head coach, Eli Drinkwitz, is tired of fielding questions about when Hardy will return.

Despite not having played a down this season, Hardy could still find his way into the first round of the draft. However, if the circumstances around the incident turn off some franchises, he could end up as a Day 2 option for Cincinnati, which could be looking to add depth at RB.

Hardy led college football in rushing the past two years. Last season, he notched a ridiculous 1,649 yards on 240 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, which also led the nation.  

The other two Mizzou players the Bengals could be interested in are left-handed quarterback Austin Simmons and tight end Brett Norfleet. 

Simmons could go in the first round, or could drop to the third or Day 3. Cincinnati could invest in a high-ish pick at quarterback to be Joe Burrow’s backup if Joe Flacco leaves for whatever reason. 

Norfleet did not play against Mississippi. However, he impressed last season, averaging 23.1 yards per reception. 

Kewan Lacy stands above the rest for Bengals

Mississippi has several NFL prospects that NFL teams are targeting. However, one stands out above all for the Bengals right now. 

One player who immediately jumps out as a prospect the Bengals will keep a close eye on throughout the rest of the college football season is running back Kewan Lacy.

Currently, PFF (50th), Mock Draft Database (52nd), and Tankathon (38th) have Lacy coming off the board in the second round. 

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Lacy as his third-best RB prospect behind Jadan Baugh and Mark Fletcher Jr.

However, if he has a few more games like the one against Mizzou, he will shoot up draft boards. 

Lacy rushed for 122 yards on 16 carries on Saturday evening. In the process, he showed off his receiving skills, blitz pickup ability, and 10.4, 100-meter breakaway speed. 

With starting RB Chase Brown in the final year of his contract, and off to a slow start with many believing that Samaje Perine should get the yeoman's work in the future, Lacy would be a tempting option in the second round for the Bengals if he lasts that long. 

Other Ole Miss players who should hear their names called in April 2027, along with their Tankathon rankings, include DT Will Echoles (11th), QB Trinidad Chambliss (27th), edge rusher Suntarine Perkins (89th), and WR Deuce Alexander (68th).

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow