The Cincinnati Bengals will not trade into the first round of the NFL Draft and have two picks on the second day. They are set to make seven picks overall during the draft weekend.
Key points
Bengals will not trade into the first round of the NFL Draft
Cincinnati has two picks on the second day of the draft
Bengals acquired Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants
Cincinnati has a total of seven picks during the draft weekend
No fifth-round pick available for the Bengals
Cincinnati BengalsNew York GiantsCleveland Browns
The Cincinnati Bengals didnât trade into the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, and will enter the second day of the three-day event with two picks. The Bengals are slated to make seven picks over the weekend.
When the Bengals acquired Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence via a trade with the New York Giants on April 18, it meant they would likely stay quiet in Round 1 of this yearâs draft. In order to move back into the first round, it would have required the Bengals to give up even more draft picks.
Cincinnati also doesn't have a fifth-round pick, which was used to acquire quarterback Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns last season.
Based on who is still available, here is my mock draft for the Bengals on the second day of the NFL Draft:
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Q&A
What picks do the Bengals have in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bengals have two picks on the second day of the draft and a total of seven picks throughout the weekend.
Why did the Bengals not trade into the first round of the NFL Draft?
The Bengals opted not to trade into the first round as it would have required giving up additional draft picks.
Who did the Bengals acquire before the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bengals acquired Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants prior to the draft.
What impact does not having a fifth-round pick have on the Bengals?
Not having a fifth-round pick limits the Bengals' options, as it was used in a trade for quarterback Joe Flacco last season.
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Round 2, pick No. 41: Cornerback Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
The Bengals fill arguably their biggest need with Cisse. Cincinnati entered the weekend needing to add to its cornerback room, and they get one of the most athletic defensive backs in this yearâs class.
Cisse is raw to some degree given he was only a one-year starter at South Carolina. But his rare combination of length and speed pops off the tape. The Bengals are betting on his physical traits and his development in a big way.
Heâs best suited to playing outside where he will utilize his blazing speed to keep up with top wide receivers. Cisse ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash time.
In his one season with the Gamecocks, Cisse logged 27 tackles (19 solo), five pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one interception.
The main knock against Cisse entering the draft by NFL pundits is his lack of production with the ball, meaning interceptions and pass deflections.
With Cisse, the Bengals now have a trio of talented cornerbacks. DJ Turner and Cisse would likely start outside, and Dax Hill could move back into the slot.
Dec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young (9) looks on before a play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
Dec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young (9) looks on before a play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
Round 3, pick No. 72: Defensive end Zion Young, Missouri
Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Bengals have to improve on defense and itâs why they use their first two picks on that side of the ball.
After signing defensive end Boye Mafe in free agency, Cincinnati now rounds out its edge group with a flush of new, young talent. The Bengals used their first-round pick in 2025 on defensive end Shemar Stewart. His rookie season didnât go as planned due to injuries and a contract holdout in the offseason.
Former 2023 first-round pick Myles Murphy and Mafe will enter the season as the projected starters at defensive end. Stewart is expected to take a big leap in his second season. Now, Young completes the room.
Young started two years at Missouri and recorded nine sacks. Heâs not the best edge rusher in this yearâs draft class, but he showed a lot of promise during his final seasons in the SEC. He finished second in the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and third in quarterback pressures (53).
With the right development plan and coaching, Young could make an impact early for the Bengals in their quest to apply more pressure on opponentsâ quarterbacks.
