With the third overall pick in 1977, the Bengals selected Eddie Edwards, who arrived in Cincinnati from Miami with a reputation as an unstoppable force along the line of scrimmage. A consensus All-American for the Hurricanes, Edwards gave Forrest Gregg and Bill Walsh an immediate, high-octane anchor to jumpstart the Bengals' defense.

Edwards hit the ground running as an interior force. Lined up at defensive tackle for his first three seasons (1977–1979), his initial burst and heavy hands allowed him to shed guards instantly, earning PFWA All-Rookie honors in 1977.

By 1980, the coaching staff slid him out to defensive end, a move that unlocked his full capability as an edge rusher. Edwards utilized long arms, relentless pursuit, and a sudden change-of-direction stick to terrorize opposing tackles.

His peak arrived in 1983, when he exploded for a career-high 13.0 official sacks. Edwards served as a cornerstone defender during the most iconic era of early Bengals football, starting in Super Bowl XVI in 1981 and anchoring the defensive front through Cincinnati's run to Super Bowl XXIII in 1988.

Because the NFL did not make sacks an official statistic until 1982, his official tally stands at 47.5. However, film study and the work of Pro Football Reference confirm he actually brought down opposing quarterbacks 83.5 times during his tenure, a shadow franchise mark that leads all pass rushers in Cincinnati history.

An eventual College Football Hall of Fame inductee from the University of North Dakota, Jim LeClair came to the Bengals in the 1972 Draft (3rd round, 54th overall) and spent 12 seasons with the Bengals (1972–1983).  LeClair transformed from a special teams reserve into the hard-nosed, instinctive heart of Cincinnati's linebacker corps.

LeClair possessed ideal size, sideline-to-sideline pursuit range, and elite diagnosing ability. After serving as a backup for his first three seasons, he took over as the starting middle linebacker in 1975, instantly sharpening the interior of Paul Brown’s defense.

LeClair’s finest individual campaign came in 1976, when his tackling prowess and central leadership earned him his first career Pro Bowl selection. As the defense shifted front structures heading into the 1980s, LeClair seamlessly transitioned to left inside linebacker in Forest Gregg’s 3-4 scheme. His consistent play and tackling volume anchored the front seven during Cincinnati’s historic 1981 AFC Championship campaign, culminating in a Super Bowl XVI starting appearance.

LeClair remained a vital starter through the strike-shortened 1982 season and the 1983 campaign. Prior to the 1984 season, he departed Cincinnati to sign with Donald Trump's New Jersey Generals in the USFL, playing two final professional seasons alongside Herschel Walker before retiring.

Over his career in Cincinnati, LeClair generated 10 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, and 7.5 official sacks while consistently leading the defense in unofficial tackle totals.

Selected second overall in the 1968 AFL/NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Bob Johnson holds a unique place in Cincinnati Bengals lore as the very first draft pick in franchise history. Head coach Paul Brown coveted a brainy, dependable pivot to set the baseline for his expansion offense, and Johnson answered the call by locking down the starting center job from the team's inaugural drive onward.

Johnson brought exceptional line-calling insight, precise snapping, and relentless technique to the pivot. In an era of heavy interior collisions, he anchored Paul Brown's front five by recognizing blitz patterns and keeping a clean pocket for early Bengals quarterbacks such as Greg Cook and Virgil Carter. Johnson stepped directly into the starting lineup as a rookie in 1968, starting all 14 games and earning an AFL All-Star selection in his debut campaign.

Consistency defined Johnson’s run at center. Across his first ten seasons (1968–1977), he started every single one of the 136 regular-season games he appeared in. He helped lead Cincinnati to its first two division titles in 1970 and 1973, serving as the team's offensive captain and primary interior pass blocker.

As the franchise transitioned into the late 1970s, Johnson stepped into a veteran backup and reserve snapper role for his final two campaigns. He retired following the 1979 season as the last remaining member of the original 1968 inaugural squad.

Johnson played in 154 regular-season games (136 starts) along with three postseason appearances. Shortly after his career ended, the Bengals retired his No. 54 jersey.

Carlos Dunlap arrived in Cincinnati as a second-round pick fresh off earning Defensive MVP honors in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game. Possessing a massive 6-foot-6 frame, 34-inch arms, and rare length for an edge defender, Dunlap transformed from a pass-rush specialist into one of the most complete and durable defensive ends in franchise history.

During his initial three seasons (2010–2012), defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer predominantly utilized Dunlap in passing situations to optimize his physical attributes. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, establishing a Bengals rookie record with 9.5 sacks in only 12 games. By 2013, Dunlap had secured a permanent starting position on the left side of Cincinnati's defensive line, where his reach enabled him to neutralize edge runs while consistently applying pressure on quarterbacks.

Dunlap reached his peak in the mid-2010s, anchoring the defensive line for a consistent playoff team. In 2015, he achieved a career-high 13.5 sacks, the second-most in team history, along with two forced fumbles and 16 tackles for loss, earning his first Pro Bowl. He was again selected in 2016, with 8.0 sacks and a standout ability to bat down 15 passes at the line, solidifying his status as one of the league's top pass-deflectors.

His more than ten-year tenure with the Bengals abruptly concluded during the 2020 season. Frustrated by a diminished role in Lou Anarumo's system and openly expressing his dissatisfaction, Dunlap asked for a trade. Cincinnati approved his request in the middle of the season, sending him to the Seattle Seahawks in October 2020.

Across 11 seasons with the Bengals (2010–2020), Dunlap played in 155 regular-season games (115 starts) and six postseason contests. He generated 82.5 sacks, 103 tackles for loss, 227 quarterback hits, and 20 forced fumbles.