ClutchPoints
For the Cincinnati Bengals, the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t about tweaking a contender. It’s about course correction. They were once considered annual Super Bowl threats behind Joe Burrow. Now, the Bengals find themselves staring at a third straight year outside the postseason. They have been undone by injuries, defensive collapses, and a roster that has aged faster than anticipated. Using the PFF mock draft simulator, this three-round projection reflects a franchise refocusing on fundamentals. They will rebuild the defensive front, restore pass-rush credibility, and quietly upgrade the infrastructure around their franchise quarterback.
The Bengals’ 2025 campaign has been a grind. Sitting at 5–10, Cincinnati is guaranteed its first losing season since 2020. They will miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year. The season was effectively derailed early when Burrow suffered a major turf toe injury. That sidelined him for a significant portion of the middle of the year. Without him, the offense sputtered, and the defense repeatedly failed to protect slim margins.
Weeks after Burrow’s return, Cincy booked a resounding 45–21 Week 16 win over the Dolphins. Still, that couldn’t undo the damage. A Week 14 loss to the Bills officially locked in a losing record. Cincinnati’s defense also ranks near the bottom of the league in most major statistical categories. The lone oddity? The Bengals managed to beat every AFC North rival at least once. It was a strange, hollow achievement in a season that otherwise exposed systemic issues.
The Bengals’ priorities entering the 2026 NFL Draft are clear and unavoidable. Defense is the headline. With Trey Hendrickson expected to depart in free agency, Cincinnati desperately needs a new edge presence capable of generating pressure without blitz-heavy schemes. The secondary also requires reinforcements at both cornerback and safety.
Offensively, the interior offensive line remains a concern, particularly at right guard. Protecting Burrow must remain non-negotiable. This mock draft leans heavily into defensive reconstruction early. They will also trust coaching and free agency to stabilize the offense while drafting foundational pieces on the other side of the ball.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Bengals’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.
Peter Woods is a classic Bengals first-round type. He is powerful, versatile, and still scratching the surface of what he can become. His biggest selling point right now is run defense. Woods consistently wins at the point of attack. He can use his strength and movement skills to disrupt blocking schemes and collapse running lanes.
Scouts have compared him to Jeffery Simmons. The parallel makes sense stylistically. Of course, Woods doesn’t yet have Simmons’ pass-rush resume. Over three seasons, Woods has just five career sacks. Questions remain about his pad level and balance when disengaging from blocks. Those flaws can limit the effectiveness of his bull rush and lead to missed tackles.
Still, the upside is undeniable. Woods’ size, power, and athletic baseline give...
