GRADING the Cincinnati Bengals 2026 NFL Draft! | Chatterbox Bengals | Live Reaction, Analysis [DNc8pamM1NP]
Craig Sandlin and Stone Shields give their grades for every move the Cincinnati Bengals made during the 2026 NFL Draft and their overall grade on the class! The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick after trading the No. 10 overall selection to the New York Giants for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. This aggressive preseason move upgraded the interior defensive line immediately, setting the tone for an offseason focused on bolstering a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in 2025. With seven picks remaining, the Bengals prioritized pass rush, secondary depth, and offensive line/tight end support for quarterback Joe Burrow. The resulting class earned strong reviews. ------------------------------------ Check out our partners ⤵️ Get 20% off sitewide at Homage with promo code CHATTER at checkout: homage.com/CBOX The Anthony Muñoz 78 Cigar! Get your box today: Apply today at Sharefax Credit Union: Sharefax.org or call 513-753-2440 Learn more about our friends at QC Kinetix! Call (513) 655-3356 or visit qckinetix.com It’s OK not to be OK! Need Help? Call or text 988 DAY OR NIGHT or visit mantherapy.org ----------------------------------- Early Rounds: Defensive Reinforcement The Bengals opened their draft on Day 2 with Cashius Howell, a productive defensive end from Texas A&M, selected at No. 41 overall in the second round. Howell exploded in 2025 with 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss after a solid prior campaign. Known for his speed, quickness, and high-motor style, he adds versatile edge pressure to a rotation that already includes recent additions like Boye Mafe and holdovers Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy. While some noted questions about his arm length and consistency as a three-down player, his immediate pass-rush upside addressed a clear need. In the third round (No. 72), Cincinnati added length and youth to the cornerback position with Tacario Davis from Washington. At 6-foot-3 or 6-foot-4, Davis brings ideal size for outside corner, helping the Bengals get longer and more physical in coverage. His college production included solid tackles and pass breakups, positioning him as a developmental piece who could contribute quickly in a secondary needing refreshment under defensive coordinator Al Golden. Day 3: Offensive Support and Depth Day 3 shifted toward the offense after a trade with the New York Jets that netted an extra fourth-rounder. At No. 128, the Bengals selected center Connor Lew from Auburn. The young (20 years old) captain and high-grade interior lineman missed time in 2025 with an ACL injury but showed elite potential beforehand. He projects as a long-term successor or complement behind Ted Karras, adding stability to Burrow's protection. Later in the fourth round (No. 140), they took wide receiver Colbie Young from Georgia. The big-bodied (around 6-4, 215 pounds) outside target posted respectable production in Athens and offers contested-catch ability and physicality, potentially filling depth or WR3 roles in an offense looking for more weapons. In the sixth round (No. 189), the Bengals picked local product Brian Parker II, an offensive lineman from Duke and St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. A two-time All-ACC honoree with versatility (tackle and interior experience), Parker adds depth and special-teams potential while returning home. The seventh round brought two more pieces: tight end Jack Endries from Texas (via Cal) at No. 221 and defensive tackle Landon Robinson from Navy at No. 226. Endries, a reliable starter with receiving production (including a strong year leading Cal in yards), addresses inconsistency at tight end—a lingering issue in the Burrow era. Robinson, an All-American and AAC Defensive Player of the Year, led his team in tackles for loss and sacks; the Ohio native provides interior depth and rotational upside alongside the new Lawrence-led front. Overall Assessment The 2026 Bengals draft class emphasized defensive front versatility early while shoring up the trenches and skill positions later. Howell and Davis inject youth and athleticism into a struggling defense, complemented by Lawrence's arrival. Offensive additions like Lew, Young, Parker, and Endries focus on protecting Burrow and adding reliable depth without overreaching. Late-round steals, including hometown and high-character players like Parker and Robinson, added value in a draft many viewed as relatively weak at the top. Analysts praised the Bengals for sticking to their board, finding productive fits, and maximizing limited resources. While linebacker and some depth holes persist, the class—paired with prior free-agent moves—positions Cincinnati as a bounce-back contender in the AFC North. With seven new players integrated into a roster centered on Burrow, the 2026 haul represents a balanced, high-floor approach aimed at sustainable improvement rather than splashy risks.