Using a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft has had mixed results for the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase have exceeded expectations as franchise cornerstones. John Ross was an unfortunate landmine, as was Keith Rivers. A.J. Green’s seven Pro Bowls make him a Ring of Honor lock. Andre Smith’s legacy is still debatable. Carson Palmer’s is still controversial.

Cincinnati is right on the border at No. 10 overall in the 2026 draft. Odds point to a high quality prospect being available at that spot. There will also be plenty of names who should be avoided with that particular investment.

Here are three 2026 NFL Draft prospects the Bengals should avoid drafting No. 10 overall next week.

Auburn DL Keldric Faulk

There are times to take a chance on underdeveloped pass rushers with youth and size on their side. Cincinnati believed it was with the No. 17 pick last year when it selected Shemar Stewart.

Keldric Faulk may have been more productive and is a better run defender in comparison, but using a pick seven spots higher than the one used to take Stewart is simply too rich.

The earlier you are picked, the more you are expected to impact the passing game. It’s the nature of how the draft typically works as passers, pass-catchers, pass protectors, and pass defenders go off the board first compared to other players. Faulk only won 16.6% of the time agains true pass sets the last two years. His deficiencies in rushing the passer make him too risky to take within the first 10 picks.

Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor

Let’s get a little contradictory here. Akheem Mesidor should immediately come into the NFL as an adept pass rusher like he was at Miami. He wrecked havoc opposite of Rueben Bain Jr. for the Hurricanes, and his 30.2% winning percentage against true pass sets since 2024 indicates he can continue that to some degree at the next level.

The issue? He’s already 25 years old. He produced that percentage when he was 23 and 24 years old against players a few years younger than him. What’s going to happen when the age gap shrinks and then goes against his favor for a change?

The upside is not there, and by the time Mesidor’s rookie contract expires, he’ll be a year away from 30. The draft is for the long-term, and the No. 10 pick is far too early for him.

Clemson DT Peter Woods

Peter Woods was considered a top-10 pick before he experienced a rough final season at Clemson in 2025. Different metrics will tell you different things about both his production and athleticism. It’s also a relatively weak defensive tackle class without a true No. 1 in the group.

Ultimately, while many other promising players helped their draft stock over the last few months, Woods has only seen his drop. He may end up sliding out of the first round entirely.

The Bengals could convince themselves they can get more out of the 21-year old than his college team ever could, but it would be a risk. A risk like that is not what they need to be taking with their earliest pick in five years.

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