The Cincinnati Bengals drafted nine players in the 2010 NFL Draft. Three players (Jermaine Gresham, Geno Atkins and Jordan Shipley) started at least one game and several others made an impact on special teams this year.
Yet, nothing compares to Carlos Dunlap's rookie season, recording a franchise high 9.5 quarterback sacks for a rookie. While missing four of the season's first five games (which is impressive enough), Dunlap posted at least a shared sack in six straight games to finish the season and a shared sack in seven of the final eight games of the season.
Even though Dunlap was not named to the 2011 Pro Bowl, he was named to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team.
Bengals place kicker Clint Stitser also made the All-Rookie team, converting seven of eight field goals, including a four field goal performance against the Cleveland Browns that helped the Bengals snap a ten-game losing streak. While he brought some consistency on the season, being named to the All-Rookie team was a bit surprising. As Joe Reedy said, "I think there were no other rookie kickers out there."
Jermaine Gresham led all rookie Tight Ends in receptions (52) while Jordan Shipley ranked second with 52 catches behind Tampa Bay's Mike Williams. Neither were named.
The Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team is as follows:
| OFFENSE | Player | Team |
| Quarterback | Sam Bradford | Rams |
| Running Back | LeGarrette Blount | Buccaneers |
| Running Back | Chris Ivory | Saints |
| Wide Receiver | Mike Williams | Buccaneers |
| Wide Receiver | Dez Bryant | Cowboys |
| Tight End | Rob Gronkowski | Patriots |
| Center | Maurkice Pouncey | Steelers |
| Guard | Mike Iupati | 49ers |
| Guard | John Jerry | Dolphins |
| Tackle | Rodger Saffold | Rams |
| Tackle | Bryan Bulaga | Packers |
| DEFENSE | Player | Team |
| Defensive Line | Ndamukong Suh | Lions |
| Defensive Line | Carlos Dunlap | Bengals |
| Defensive Line | Lamarr Houston | Raiders |
| Defensive Line | Tyson Alualu | Jaguars |
| Linebacker | Rolando McClain | Raiders |
| Linebacker | Koa Misi | Dolphins |
| Linebacker | Pat Angerer | Colts |
| Cornerback | Devin McCourty | Patriots |
| Cornerback | Joe Haden | Browns |
| Safety | Eric Berry | Chiefs |
| Safety | T.J. Ward | Browns |
| SPECIALISTS | Player | Team |
| Place Kicker | Clint Stitser | Bengals |
| Punter | Zoltan Mesko | Patriots |
| Punt Returner | Marc Mariani | Titans |
| Kickoff Returns | Jacoby Ford | Raiders |
| Special Teams | T.J. Ward | Browns |