CINCINNATI — The third and final day of the 2026 NFL draft concludes Saturday with Rounds 4-7.
The Cincinnati Bengals traded away their first-round pick to the Giants for Dexter Lawrence II.
A full list of Bengals’ selections is below and will be updated with pick-by-pick analysis through the weekend.
Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
My take: The Bengals were high on Howell throughout the whole process. They spent time with him at the combine and brought him in for a Top 30 visit that went pretty long. Cincinnati made it a point to attack adding depth on the defensive line and believe Howell can be productive immediately.
Ties to the team to know: Howell was teammates with Shemar Stewart, Cincinnati’s first-round pick last season. Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. already raved about the pick.
Round 3, No. 72 overall: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
My take: Davis has a massive frame (6-foot-4) that gives him great size as a potential outside cornerback and helps the Bengals address a future need. Cincinnati continues to address the defense and potentially offset looming contract costs that could eventually arise. After three years at Arizona, Davis transferred to Washington for his final year of college, where he tallied two interceptions.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: For now, it appears to be depth. Davis is slotted as an outside cornerback. But the Bengals will have a need as early as 2027 given the status of the contract situations for Dax Hill and DJ Turner II, the team’s two starting outside cornerbacks who are eligible for contract extensions.
What’s next: The Bengals currently have four picks on Day 3 (Nos. 110, 189, 199, 221, 226).
Fourth round No. 128 overall: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
My take: After trading with the Jets to move down in the fourth round, Cincinnati takes a much-needed center. Lew was a three-year starter for the Tigers before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in 2025.
He was a team captain at Auburn as well, which is a trait Cincinnati really values in the pre-draft process. The Bengals needed a back-up center behind Ted Karras. Lew should be able to slot into that role and potentially provide a future long-term option. Karras, 33, is in the final year of his current contract.
Round 6: No. 189
Round 6: No. 199
Round 7: No. 221
Round 7: No. 226
