Bengals have regularly focused on defense in NFL Draft: It just hasn’t paid off
Cincinnati has not been able to find a difference-maker that can help turn the defense around.
From left: Director of College Scouting Mike Potts, Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin, head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo talk as rookies stretch during the team s mini rookie camp, Friday, May 12, 2023, inside the team s indoor practice bubble in Cincinnati. According to Warren Sharp, the Cincinnati Bengals don’t have a defensive investment problem. They have a results problem.
total draft capital spent on defensive players since 2020 pic. twitter. com/jg3jGYRQqG — Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 8, 2026 Since 2020, Cincinnati has spent top-10-level draft capital on defensive players, more than enough to build a unit capable of holding its own in a conference loaded with elite quarterbacks.
And yet, year after year, the defense has struggled to deliver when it matters most. So, if the Bengals have already paid the price, why has the return been so underwhelming? On paper, the Bengals are doing what they need to do.
They’ve consistently used valuable draft picks on edge rushers, defensive backs, and front-seven depth. They rank in the upper tier of the league in total draft capital spent on defense over the last five years. That’s not neglect, it’s commitment.