Cincinnati Bengals completely overhaul the Al Golden defense, go back to controversial pipeline in latest 3-round mock draft
Latest 2026 NFL mock draft gives the Cincinnati Bengals a complete defensive makeover.
The Cincinnati Bengals feel like an NFL organization in serious need of a new identity. Head coach Zac Taylor has had a lot of success during his tenure, but he has slowly lost his grip on the trajectory of this team. Things are bad right now, especially when quarterback Joe Burrow isn’t healthy to mask some deficiencies.
It’s very practical to believe that change might be on the horizon for the Bengals, but regardless, this is a roster that needs some massive turnover. There just isn’t enough impact talent, particularly on the defensive side of the football. In my latest 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft, I did my best to set this team up better for the future.
3-round Bengals mock
Round 1, Pick 9: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Some Bengals fans will be scared away by the failed experiment of Myles Murphy, but that wouldn’t be wise. Woods is a ball of explosiveness in the middle of the Clemson defense. While the Tigers haven’t been very good this season, Woods has been impactful and well beyond the box score.
Round 2, Pick 40: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
There’s a chance that Thieneman could find himself selected in the first round with a ton of positive opinions on him around the NFL. He is a bigger safety who makes a ton of plays near the line of scrimmage and in the box. Thieneman is also a very intelligent safety with enough range to add versatility on the back end.
Round 3, Pick 74: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
From a pure physical perspective, Dennis-Sutton has everything you would want in a defensive end. He’s long, powerful, and explosive. For whatever reason, he has just never put it all together. Dennis-Sutton is still very much an easy bet in this range.
Grading the mock draft
I think my mock draft was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. To get an outside perspective, A to Z Sports Cincinnati Bengals writer John Sheeran was kind enough to give his honest opinion on the haul. Here is what he had to say about each selection.
On Woods:
“The Bengals have apparent scouting trust in Clemson players, and despite a few recent picks from the program not working out, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them draft another Tiger with one of their top picks. They need good defensive linemen, no matter if they’re good against the run or pass. Woods will work as a new foundational piece of the puzzle stopping the run, and if he can grow his pass-rushing game, it’d be an even better pick.”
On Thieneman:
“The safety play for Cincinnati has been horrendous since Jessie Bates III left and Vonn Bell’s age caught up to him. Geno Stone is on borrowed time and Jordan Battle isn’t reliable enough to start, so getting a replacement for either is a must this offseason. Thieneman can tackle and that would be a blessing for them to have right now.”
On Dennis-Sutton:
“Eventually the Bengals will draft a defensive end that can actually finish around the quarterback, right? I was aware of Dennis-Sutton earlier this year and didn’t expect him to be available in the third round, so perhaps he’s having a down year. Nevertheless, his size fits what they look for on the edge and he’s had past sack production. Let’s go.”
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