Cincinnati's Defense is Still a Mess, and Peter Woods Might Be Their Only Way Out

The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the best offenses in football. Their defense? One of the worst in the league. So they went to work in free agency, signing Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, and Jonathan Allen to patch the holes. Problem is, it's not nearly enough. The Bengals can't afford to limp into the season without serious upgrades on that side of the ball, and they know it.

Free Agency Didn't Get the Job Done

Look, Cook, Mafe, and Allen are solid pickups. But a league-average defense is what this team actually needs to become a Super Bowl contender again, and three free agent signings aren't going to get them there. The Bengals also lost some key players in the offseason, including a former Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Trey Hendrickson. That's a huge blow to an already struggling unit.

The reality? The Bengals are done in free agency. They've got the draft to fix this mess, and they still hold the No. 10 pick in the first round. It's time to get aggressive.

Peter Woods Is Plan B, But He Could Still Change Everything

CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson put together a mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, and he's got the Bengals taking Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 10. As Wilson wrote, this isn't ideal. "The defense desperately needs edge-rush help," he explained. "And with Bailey, Reese, Bain and even Styles off the board, Plan B would be Downs... who the Chiefs grabbed at No. 9."

Woods isn't the consolation prize you want, but he's not a bad one either, especially since the Bengals already added Mafe in free agency. Players like Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Rueben Bain Jr. are likely to be gone before Cincinnati is on the clock.

Woods Could Plug the Biggest Hole

Here's the thing: the Bengals had one of the worst defensive lines and run defenses in the league last season. Jonathan Allen helps, but he's one guy. Woods is a game wrecker at defensive tackle, and that's the kind of rare talent you want in the middle of your defensive line. In a draft where the top edge rushers might be off the board, Woods becomes a legitimate option to help revamp Cincinnati's defense and make this offense finally have the support it needs.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.