There was a significant transition in the AFC North ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals 2026 NFL Draft. Zac Taylor was the only head coach in the division who remained with his team, which surprised many NFL fans. With the Bengals’ last Super Bowl appearance a distant memory and Joe Burrow missing games due to injury yet again in 2025, this season represents an inflection point for the franchise. If Taylor can’t get it done in 2026 with the Steelers (who had an underwhelming draft) and Ravens undergoing regime changes, when will he ever get it done?
Offensively, Cincinnati needed to address depth at the receiver and interior offensive line positions. The defense was a liability for much of 2025, and an upgrade is needed on the edge. The good news for Bengals fans is that the roster improved with every pick, although there was one controversial selection in the middle of the draft. Here is the 2026 rookie class for the organization.
Round 2, Pick 42: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
With the departure of Trey Hendrickson in the off-season, the Bengals were in need of depth at defensive end. Boye Mafe and Shemar Stewart are likely to be the starting edge defenders, and both need to have a bigger impact in 2026. Mafe recorded four tackles for loss and two sacks in a reduced role for the Seahawks last season, and Stewart registered just two TFLs and a sack in 2025. Cincinnati needed to add to its DE rotation, and it filled that need with Cashius Howell in the second round.
A First Team All-American, Howell was a terror in the offensive backfield in 2025, with 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He’s a dynamic pass rusher who has a variety of tools to get to the QB. His technique in run defense and ability to set the edge are lacking, so he won’t be an every-down player in 2026. Where Howell can make an immediate impact is on third down as a rotational player, especially if the production from the starters isn’t there this season.
Round 3, Pick 72: Tacario Davis, Cornerback, Washington
Cincinnati’s defensive backfield will be an interesting group to watch in 2026. Dax Hill is coming into his own at corner, allowing a career-low 63.6 completion percentage when targeted last season. Meanwhile, at safety, Jordan Battle was a bright spot for the Bengals, with four interceptions in 2025. The defense needs depth on the back end, and Tacario Davis is a versatile prospect who’s a good fit for the franchise.
With a height of 6’3″ and a 4.41 40-yard dash time, Davis has the athletic profile that NFL defenses want in the secondary. His frame alone causes problems for receivers, both in route running and at the point of the catch. He struggles with quickness and change of direction, which is common for longer corners. For 2026, Davis can be a backup at either outside corner or safety, which will be valuable for the Bengals.
Round 4, Pick 128: Connor Lew, Center, Auburn
Center is one position where the Bengals are exceptionally thin. Ted Karras has been a constant for the offense, as he has played at least 99% of offensive snaps for the last four seasons and only committed four penalties during that time. The only other center on the roster is Jacob Bayer, who was on Cincinnati’s practice squad in the latter part of 2025. The position needed depth badly, and Connor Lew was a great value in the fourth round.
Lew is an interesting prospect at center. He was a team captain for the Tigers before an ACL injury ended his season in October. A former wrestler, he has impressive athleticism as a run blocker, but is inconsistent in pass protection. The good news is that experience and coaching should clean up these issues, as he had a limited number of snaps at Auburn. Lew is an immediate upgrade for the Bengals’ depth chart, and could develop into a strong starter once Karras decides to hang up his cleats.
Round 4, Pick 140: Colbie Young, Wide Receiver, Georgia
The top of the Bengals’ receiver depth chart is set in stone, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but WR3 is where things get interesting. Andrei Iosivas is consistent in this role, with 69 receptions for over 900 yards over the last two seasons. There is little depth behind Iosivas, which is bad news when the Bengals want to stress defenses with their passing game. Colbie Young fills the void, although he had a seventh-round grade going into the draft.
The perception of Young is heavily impacted by off-the-field issues. In 2024, he was arrested after being charged with battery and assault of an unborn child. The charges were eventually dropped, but character concerns still linger for NFL teams. What makes his evaluation even tougher is that he only played eight games in 2025 due to a broken leg. Young is raw as a route runner, but he has the physical ability to flourish in the league with his 6’4″ frame. If he’s able to keep his nose clean, he’ll be a valuable addition to Cincinnati’s passing game.
Round 6, Pick 189: Brian Parker II, Center, Duke
The Bengals added another interior lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft when they selected versatile prospect Brian Parker II in the sixth round. The Third Team All-American started 33 games at tackle for the Blue Devils, but his lack of length makes him a liability on either end of the line of scrimmage. Despite his size, he’s a well-rounded blocker who can see rush techniques well. Parker II projects as a backup center or guard in the short term, with the potential to develop into a competent starter over time.
Round 7, Pick 221: Jack Endries, Tight End, Texas
Jack Endries is a quality pickup in the seventh round for the Bengals. With Fernando Mendoza throwing to him in 2024, he led Cal with 56 catches and 623 receiving yards. He doesn’t have elite athleticism or strength, so he may have a tough time seeing the field in 2026. Endries could be more of a fullback in the NFL, but making the cut in Cincinnati will be tough with Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and Tanner Hudson on the roster.
Round 7, Pick 226: Landon Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Navy
An AP All-American in 2025, Landon Robinson was a defensive playmaker for the Midshipmen, with a team-leading 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. At 5’11”, he lacks the standard NFL size and arm length, but he counteracts that with his quickness and strength. He likely needs to be paired with a DT that can control gaps to get the most out of him. Robinson has an uphill climb to make the roster, but he could stick around a while with both Jonathan Allen and B.J. Hill in the latter part of their careers.
Cincinnati Bengals 2026 NFL Draft Grade: B
The Bengals quietly had one of the better drafts out of any team in the NFL in 2026. They improved the roster with every pick, which is key in a year where the division is wide open. Reaching for Young in the fourth round hurt their draft grade, because they could’ve picked him later in the draft, and the character concerns make him risky. With that being said, Cincinnati got good value with the rest of the draft class, and the organization is in a position for another deep playoff run in the near future.
