The Cincinnati Bengals will make their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft tonight!
How can the Bengals top landing Dexter Lawrence with the No. 10 overall pick? Well, they still have a number of needs on the defense as well as a few offensive needs. Namely, a future right guard or center, as both of their interior offensive line starters are well into their 30s.
Can they land a couple of interesting prospects here on Day 2?
Give us your thoughts! And here is the news for today.
Quick Hits: Bengals’ Draft Parties Toast Dexter, Revamped Defense; No. 6 Loves Home Cook-ingWhile Dexter Lawrence II, the massive three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle the Bengals plucked from the Giants five days ago for that 10th pick, met his public for the first time in the roped-off areas of Paycor, the Bengals assembled their draft room as if they had that 10th pick.
Bengals.com 2026 Media Mock Draft Finale: In A Rush To Let The Board Come To You In Second RoundYes, there, are cornerbacks and linebackers there. But, upon further review, edge seems to be a quiet need and has gone under the radar ever since they signed Mafe. In addition to Hendrickson, they also lost Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample, so that’s a position they need numbers to surround Mafe and 2025 first-rounder Shemar Stewart even if they give Murphy the fifth-year option. And they may very well when the deadline hits next week.
After Standing Pat, Bengals Could Land a Steal in Round 2 of 2026 NFL DraftThe good news for the Bengals is that there are plenty of quality players available, especially on defense. Here’s a look at the top players remaining on the board, with a breakdown of who Cincinnati could target in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday:
Micah Parsons Grills Giants for Dexter Lawrence Trade to Bengals“Yeah, I mean, at this point, are we really surprised about the Giants and their track record? I mean, they just let player after player go,” Parsons said. “Greatness after greatness. I mean, their track record, I don’t know why they want draft picks. They’re not very good with draft picks either. They just let great players go. Hey, besides you (Malik Nabers) and my guy from Penn State, Abdul (Carter), who have they really hit on in the last… four or five years. That’s the reason why their track record is their record.”
Caleb Downs would have been there for Cincinnati Bengals, but they made the right callThose traits will go to the Dallas Cowboys, who traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to ensure they landed Downs. Bengals fans will be watching his Cowboys career closely with a knowledge of what could have been by keeping him in-state.
Cincinnati Bengals 7-Round Mock Draft: Who They’ll Actually Take in Every RoundThe Bengals do not have a first round draft pick after their recent trade with the Giants, and will make their first selection in the second round. With pick No. 41 overall the Bengals should take cornerback D’Angelo Ponds out of Indiana. Ponds was in the 92nd percentile for a 40-yard dash by cornerbacks with a 4.36, and turned heads with his vertical jump of 43.5.