Bengals NFL draft picks 2026: Live round-by-round selections, analysis
A live-updating look at Bengals picks and trades during the NFL draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals enter the NFL draft with seven picks , though a generational, all-in move shook up the order and outlook dramatically days before the event started. Zac Taylor, Duke Tobin and the Bengals bowed out of the first round completely when they traded the 10th overall pick in exchange for Dexter Lawrence. That stunner has left Bengals mock drafts erratic, with the team’s first pick coming in Round 2 and the needs many.
Below, we'll update with each draft pick as the Bengals make them over the next three days. Bengals trade No. 10 overall pick for Dexter Lawrence The Bengals making a trade like this was unheard of in franchise history.
Was . The Bengals traded for Lawrence after working out a contract extension with his agent. It was an all-in move to get one of the best nose tackles in football, who should help along the development of young guys beside him (Shemar Stewart) and behind him (Demetrius Knight).
Tobin and the Bengals front office simply didn’t like how the board projected to fall at No. 10. They were likely to miss on all of their top defensive prospect fits, so they opted to go get a proven, unit-altering veteran instead.