The Cincinnati Bengals turned heads during this year's NFL Draft—not just for their activity, but for their aggression. A savvy Day 3 trade with the New York Jets landed them an extra fourth-round pick, which they used to take a flier on Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young. While that pick carries some risk, several of their other selections have drawn serious praise from ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller. In his recently released list of the top 100 favorite draft picks, three Bengals made the cut.
Leading the charge is second-round defensive end Cashius Howell, checking in at No. 54. Howell is set to team up with free agent signing Boye Mafe to fill the massive void left by Trey Hendrickson's departure. Edge rusher was a glaring need for Cincinnati, especially after last year's first-rounder, Shemar Stewart, failed to make an immediate impact. Despite investing significant draft capital and money into the position—including 2024 first-round pick Myles Murphy—the Bengals have struggled to find a consistent pass rush. Howell brings a stand-up rushing style to the outside of the defensive line, and his SEC-leading 11.5 sacks last season prove he can get to the quarterback. Grabbing him at this value, 16 picks into the second round, was a smart move for a team desperate for pressure off the edge.
Next up is Auburn center Connor Lew, selected in the fourth round and ranked No. 70 by Miller. While veteran Ted Karras is currently penciled in as the starter, Lew represents the future. A torn ACL suffered mid-season may delay his debut, but Miller notes that Lew was his top-ranked center before the injury. Keeping Joe Burrow healthy and upright is priority No. 1 in Cincinnati, and Lew could be the long-term solution to anchor the offensive line. Karras is the present, but Lew is the heir apparent—and that bodes well for the Bengals' offensive future.
The final Bengal on Miller's list is Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker II, coming in at No. 84. With both Lew and Parker joining the fold, Cincinnati is clearly focused on building a formidable front to protect their franchise quarterback. These three picks highlight a draft class that blends immediate need with long-term vision—exactly what Bengals fans love to see.