NFL draft grades take cautious approach with odd Bengals class

ESPN

Over at ESPN, mock draft guru Mel Kiper hit the Bengals with a “B” as well, an uptick from the “C” he gave them one year ago, tied for the lowest grade he handed out. Besides the obvious stuff, while the Davis pick has bene a little contorviersl for fans, Kiper really liked it:

“Mansoor Delane was a popular match for Cincinnati at No. 10 before the Lawrence trade, and while Tacario Davis in the third round isn't that level of premier cover CB1, he should be a solid option opposite DJ Turner II.”

USA Today

Nate Davis of USA Today, like the others, settled with a “B” grade for the Bengals, 15th overall. As fans pointed out during Round 1, Davis highlights the risk the Bengals took by trading for Lawrence, since the draft board fell in a way they didn’t think it would:

“But a win-now choice has to mean the Bengals literally win now and in 2027, especially since S Caleb Downs or pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. could have been had for far less money than Lawrence and, likely, for several more years than the three-time Pro Bowler will ultimately provide.”

CBS Sports

CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns breaks the trend of B-like grades for the Bengals, going with an “A-” while especially highlighting that showing on Day 3:

“On Day 3, the Bengals found immense value in the middle of their offensive line. They first took center Connor Lew -- whom Josh Edwards called the best prospect available and his favorite center in the class (prior to his 2025 season-ending torn ACL at Auburn). He could be the team's long-term answer at the position, and finding that in the fourth round is a major win. Two rounds later, they grabbed another interior lineman in Brian Parker II. Edwards labeled it a savvy pick.”

Bleacher Report

After that brief dip into A range, Kristopher Knox at Bleacher Report goes right back down to a “B+” grade, writing that how the Bengals used their first three picks should product big impacts early:

“The Bengals added some intriguing depth pieces on Day 3, but the strength of this class is the three defenders added with the team's first three selections. Lawrence, Howell, and Davis should walk into starting roles and should significantly boost a defense that ranked 31st overall last season.”

Pro Football Focus

Another “B+” grade for the Bengals, this time from Pro Football Focus. Parker was the team’s highest-graded PFF draft pick:

“He earned an 83.9 run-blocking grade alongside an 83.4 pass-blocking grade in 2025, which reflects balanced production across both phases. He allowed three sacks, two hits and 15 hurries on 538 pass-blocking snaps, and must reduce the rate at which pressures turn into sacks to maximize his effectiveness at the next level.”

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: NFL draft grades take cautious approach with odd Bengals class