As of this writing, the Cincinnati Bengals often get tabbed as a franchise about to invest in its defensive line in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL draft.

Makes sense, really. The draft class has a smattering of elite front seven prospects like Peter Woods. Cincinnati’s own front seven was a disaster last season, to put it nicely.

But it might not be that simple.

In fact, Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr just listed bold predictions for each NFL team and suggested the Bengals going with a secondary player at No. 10 is one:

“The Bengals want the coaching staff to develop the talent up front, and in the meantime, will aid the pass rush by bolstering the secondary. Either Caleb Downs or Mansoor Delane will wind up in stripes.”

But it might not end up being that bold.

The Bengals already have two first-round edge defenders with Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy. Odds are they’ll sign another pass-rusher if they don’t bring back free agent Joseph Ossai. And one has to think they’ll sign a quality free agent starter for the interior.

Secondary talent is harder to come by. Just ask the Bengals, who have been reeling since letting Jessie Bates get away a year ago.

Adding a blue-chip talent in the top 10 to a secondary with budding boundary stars like Dax Hill and DJ Turner would be a shrewd move.

The whole idea hinges on the Bengals actually spending notable free-agency money on the front seven in front of the secondary, but it’s one path forward that might not end up being that bold in hindsight.