Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals are predicted to make a selection which would be "head-scratching."
The Cincinnati Bengals are about to embark on a crucial offseason. The team will hope to reverse a worrying defensive trend. After a 2022 season in which they ranked as the fifth-best defense in the NFL, the Bengals have regressed each year, which resulted in Cincinnati finishing with the third-worst defense in points allowed during the 2025 season.
Things will seemingly only get more difficult as the team will look to find a replacement for All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. The teamopted not to place the franchise tag on Hendrickson, which will allow him to be an unrestricted free agent. While the door is not technically closed on a return, Hendrickson already thanked the organization anddelivered a farewell message.
For that reason, the Bengals are expected to use free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft to address the team’s defensive issues. Now, a new mock draft has the Bengals making what one writer deemed to be a “head-scratching decision.”
Cincinnati Bengals Predicted to Draft Keldric Faulk
The Sporting News writer Vinnie Iyer revealed his latest mock draft, in which he had the Bengals selecting Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk with the 10th overall pick. Iyer wrote of the selection, “The Bengals need to upgrade their pass rush with Trey Hendrickson looking like he will walk in free agency. Faulk can replace Hendrickson’s high energy and production and also become a real outside asset vs. the run.”
However,Sports Illustrated’s Zach Pressnell disagreed with the selection. He said,“Faulk would be a good addition to the defense. He’s a solid edge rusher, but he’s the clear No. 4 edge rusher in this draft class. He has a lot of talent and potential, but considering the players on the board in this mock draft, the Bengals would be making a head-scratching decision to draft Faulk.”
The Bengals have a top 10 pick in the draft for the first time since the 2021 NFL Draft. On that occasion, the Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick. During that draft process the conversation was whether the Bengals should take a weapon like Chase or improve their offensive line with a player like Penei Sewell. During this year’s draft, the conversation will likely shift into what defensive player the Bengals should take.
Keldric Faulk Prospect Profile
Another person who would likely disagree with the Bengals’ hypothetical selection of Faulk would be Daniel Jeremiah.Jeremiah has Faulk listed as his 28th-best player in this year’s draft class.
Regarding Faulk, Jeremiah wrote, “Faulk is a versatile defensive lineman with an ideal frame and length. He aligned up and down the front in Auburn’s scheme. He lacks ideal twitch and explosion, but he’s a very loose, fluid mover. As a pass rusher, he doesn’t have an elite get-off but still finds ways to win with a swooping arm-over or steady pocket push. He doesn’t always have a plan, which impacts his production. Against the run, he can stack and hold the point of attack because of his length and balance. He’ll shoot gaps at times and provide penetration to force negative plays. His effort is good, and coaches rave about his character/work ethic. Overall, I was hoping he would play with more ferocity, but there’s a lot to dream about with his potential.”