Cincinnati Bengals Select Defensive Star in 18-Pick 2026 NFL Mock Draft

CINCINNATI — Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick dropped his latest mock draft this week and had Cincinnati sticking with defense like almost every single mock draft has so far, entering mid-January.

The Bengals took Clemson defensive end Peter Woods with the 10th overall pick.

Cincinnati has the NFL's worst run defense, second-worst total defense, and third-worst scoring defense," Flick wrote. "The Bengals need help across the board, but especially on the interior defensive line, where the 6' 3", 315-pound Woods ranks as the draft's best option. Woods didn't produce at the level most expected in 2025, but he's laterally quick and athletic, with an intriguing ceiling."

Woods is the clear top defensive tackle in the draft, checking in at No. 13th overall on Mock Draft Database's consensus big board. The next closest defensive tackle is Ohio State's Kayden McDonald at 23rd overall.

Cincinnati didn't have any DTs pop in a big way this season. Woods could change that narrative in 2026 after posting 30 tackles and two sacks this past season at 6-3, 315 pounds. It rounded out to a 72.2 Pro Football Focus grade on a career-high 562 snaps, although that grade was a career-low mark compared to the past two seasons (2023-24).

Woods would join a defensive line room that also includes former Clemson star Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart, Kris Jenkins Jr. and B.J. Hill.

Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain was selected fourth overall. Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs went off the board at No. 5 overall. Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey was picked ninth overall.

Check out the mock draft below:

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below as part of our in-depth coverage of the team. Prefer to listen? Check out Cincinnati Bengals Talk on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts.

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, insight, film breakdowns and so much more!

Also, check out the podcast, Locked On Bengals, wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple: bit.ly/BengalsApple

Spotify: bit.ly/BengalsSpotify

YouTube: bit.ly/LOBengalsYouTube

-----

Join the 63,000+ Bengals fans that subscribe to us on YouTube.

Join the 115,000+ Bengals Fans That Have Liked Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the Locked On Bengals Podcast: the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Join the 49,000+ Bengals Fans That Follow Us on TikTok