Bengals end up moving in an unexpected direction through 2026 NFL Draft order despite resting on their bye week

An early look at the 2026 NFL Draft for the Bengals.

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor watches a replay in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.
© Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals could not win, lose, or even tie this past weekend as they had their bye week, but that doesn’t mean their spot in the ever-evolving 2026 NFL Draft order wasn’t impacted.

After falling to 3-6 last week against the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati settled in at the No. 8 pick in the draft order. The Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants were all in front of the Bengals, and all three teams lost on Sunday while Cincinnati rested at home.

The Bengals remain behind all of them, and another team has jumped them in the order as well.

Bengals fall to ninth overall pick in latest NFL Draft order

Cincinnati fell one spot to the No. 9 pick following the Washington Commanders’ loss to the Detroit Lions during Sunday’s slate of games. The Commanders haven’t had their bye week yet, so their seven losses paired with just three wins puts them closer than the Bengals to the first pick.

Top 10 picks in 2026 NFL Draft through Week 10

  • 1. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
  • 2. New Orleans Saints (2-8)
  • 3. New York Giants (2-8)
  • 4. Cleveland Browns (2-7)
  • 5. New York Jets (2-7)
  • 6. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)
  • 7. Miami Dolphins (3-7)
  • 8. Washington Commanders (3-7)
  • 9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)
  • 10. Atlanta Falcons (3-6) (Pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams)

Falling in the draft order doesn’t come without a minuscule bright side. The Pittsburgh Steelers losing to the Los Angeles Chargers puts them only two games back from the lead in the AFC North, and with a matchup in Pittsburgh slated for this Sunday, the division race can really heat up over the next several weeks. Joe Burrow’s potential return in a few weeks could also spice things up.

Until then, Cincinnati is one of three clubs with a 3-6 record along with the Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. The Bengals are higher in the current draft order thanks having a weaker strength of schedule compared to the other two.

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