Mel Kiper Jr. hands Bengals solid grade for 2026 NFL Draft haul

Mel Kiper Jr. hands Bengals solid grade for 2026 NFL Draft haul originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Bengals came into the 2026 NFL Draft without their first-round pick. It's a stunning change from the norm for Cincinnati, a team that rarely, if ever, trades its picks, let alone in the first round.

But, they got Dexter Lawrence to beef up the interior of their defensive line, filling a major need with the No. 10 overall pick. Then, down the board on Days 2 and 3, the Bengals landed some quality players to piece together a seven-player class.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. handed out grades for every team, and despite not having a first-rounder, the Bengals still wound up with a solid "B" grade from the longtime NFL Draft analyst for their solid draft haul.

Mel Kiper Jr. gives Bengals solid 'B' grade for NFL Draft haul

Kiper didn't factor the Lawrence trade into this grade, signifying that the Bengals made some quality moves during the draft, even without factoring in their premium upgrade using the 10th pick.

In Round 2 at 41st overall, the Bengals took Cashius Howell, a very productive edge rusher who had 11.5 sacks last year for Texas A&M.

Then down the board a bit, the Bengals took cornerback Tacario Davis, who will provide more outside stability opposite DJ Turner II, with Dax Hill likely headed towards the slot.

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