Bengals Rank Among Top 10 in Defensive Draft Capital Used This Decade

Cincinnati has invested heavily in defense but struggled to field a top unit

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a Cincinnati Bengals defensive play or game action, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the team's inability to translate draft capital into on-field success on that side of the ball.The Bengals' defensive struggles despite heavy draft investment are deconstructed into a cubist illustration.Cincinnati Today

The Cincinnati Bengals have spent the ninth-most draft capital on the defensive side of the ball since 2020, all while never fielding a top 10 total defense across that time. It's a glaring example of how poorly the team has largely drafted on that side of the ball, with only a few clear hits like Logan Wilson, Dax Hill, and DJ Turner II.

Why it matters

The Bengals' inability to translate their defensive draft investments into on-field success has been a major issue, as they just fielded the worst defense in the NFL by yards per play allowed last season. This offseason, the team is aiming to address these defensive shortcomings through the draft.

The details

According to data from analyst Warren Sharp, the Bengals have spent the ninth-most draft capital on defense this decade, trailing only the Jaguars, Lions, Cardinals, Eagles, Falcons, Cowboys, Ravens, and Giants. However, the team has struggled to field a top 10 defense during this stretch, despite the heavy investment.

  • Since 2020, the Bengals have spent the ninth-most draft capital on defense in the NFL.

The players

Logan Wilson

A clear hit for the Bengals, drafted in 2020.

Dax Hill

Another defensive draft pick that has panned out for the Bengals, drafted in 2022.

DJ Turner II

A defensive player drafted by the Bengals in 2023 who has shown promise.

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What they’re saying

“You know, I've always been very impressed with Al. And the thing is, Al is very flexible. He can take what he has and make a good defense out of it. He can, and I believe that, and I think he will do that. He has a vision for what he wants to be, and it's my job to go out and fill the needs that will fulfill that vision. And so, yeah, do I have 100% confidence that we'll get that done together? I do? I believe in Al, I believe in Zac.”

— Duke Tobin, Bengals Director of Player Personnel

What’s next

The Bengals will look to address their defensive needs in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which takes place from April 23-25.

The takeaway

The Bengals' heavy investment in defense through the draft has not translated to on-field success, as the team has struggled to field a top-tier unit despite spending significant draft capital on that side of the ball. This offseason, the team is aiming to finally get a return on those investments and build a defense that can complement their potent offense.