Bengals NFL draft picks 2026: Live round-by-round selections, analysis

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Bengals have seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft after trading their 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence. Their first selection will be in Round 2, as they address various team needs.

Key points

Bengals have seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft
Traded 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence
First pick will be in Round 2

Cincinnati Bengals

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.

Bengals trade possibilities and biggest remaining needs

In the aftermath of the Lawrence trade, one report says the deal might be a hint of things to come for Bengals trades.

We’ll see if that comes true. It’s hard to imagine they cough up enough to trade back into the first round. Perhaps more likely is trading down and around the board while picking up a pick or two to balance out the loss of that first-rounder.

Regardless, the Bengals still need help at all three levels of defense. Cornerback is the biggest need, with linebacker a close second. They will also likely look at third-wideout options, tight ends and especially long-term options for the offensive line.