The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 NFL Draft guide is here to get you ready for the upcoming annual seven-round selection meeting. Ahead of this crucial week, let’s look at the Bengals’ draft picks, biggest needs, potential targets, and recent draft history.
The draft is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this year, with Round 1 kicking off on April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 happen on April 24. The festivities wrap up with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 25.
Bengals’ 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Bengals haven’t found their footing recently, and injuries have been the biggest issue. But if they stay healthy and hit with that No. 10 overall pick, they should be back in the playoffs in 2026. It’s unlikely the Bengals will move in the draft, unless they turn a couple of late picks into a fifth-round selection. Here’s their list of picks.
Round 1, Pick 10
Round 2, Pick 41
Round 3, Pick 72
Round 4, Pick 110
Round 6, Pick 189
Round 6, Pick 199
Round 7, Pick 221
Round 7, Pick 226
Bengals’ 2026 NFL Draft needs and targets
DT: First things first. If the Bengals get a chance at Rueben Bain Jr., all needs go out the window. But let’s be realistic, if Bain drops all the way to No. 10, we have six or seven very dumb NFL general managers. Let’s focus on more likely things.
The bad news for the Bengals is the lack of first-round talent for the defensive interior. The good news is the Bengals should be able to get that position filled with their second-round pick. They might even find a guy who would have been a first-rounder in other seasons.
Lee Hunter of Texas Tech appears to be that guy. He’s big at 6-foot-4 and 318 pounds, and he can fill gaps, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
“Hunter is a run-stuffing nose tackle, and there is no reason to pretend the projection is anything more complicated than that,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “What he does against the run is very good. He plants in the A-gap, absorbs double teams with heavy hands, and holds ground while freeing up the second level.”
Just don’t expect Hunter to disrupt the opposing quarterback’s passing rhythm very often.
“He is a one-trick bull rusher right now, and the athleticism is not there to threaten interior linemen with anything beyond straight-line power,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote.
Still, the run defense is valuable. Dontae Corleone of Cincinnati is another possibility.
OT: This comes down to who’s available. Simple as that. If Francis Mauigoa of Miami remains on the board, the Bengals’ war room needs a quick huddle.
Mauigoa is a potential decade-difference-maker for an NFL offensive line. Durability is one thing in his corner, according to NFL.com.
“Mauigoa has a guard’s broad build, but he moves like a tackle in pass sets,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s highly experienced with an impressive football IQ that pops on tape. He has good contact balance and a strong core. He delivers firm first contact, but excessive leaning diminishes not only his leverage and sustain as a run blocker but also his ability to deal with spin counters when protecting.
“Mauigoa has a high ceiling, but the leaning must be eradicated. He’ll be an early starter at right tackle, but a move to guard could be on the table in the future.”
Another possibility would be Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, but that feels like a long shot.
WR: This is where reality meets comfort zone for the first round. Imagine Joe Burrow staying healthy and having three big-time weapons at his disposal. That could happen if the Bengals go with USC’s Makai Lemon.
He’s rated as the top overall receiver by some scouts, and he fits the Bengals’ needs to a T.
And before you scoff at Lemon going this high, consider the NFL comps: Among-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And he showed things on film that matter, according to The Athletic.
“Despite lacking top-tier physical traits, Lemon provided multiple examples each game in which his quarterback made a ‘my guy is better than your guy’ throw for Lemon to go get,” Dane Brugler wrote. “More often than not, Lemon made the QB right. With his competitive urgency, he doesn’t let the ball hit the ground (2.8 percent career drop rate) and rarely gets tackled where he makes a catch (he produced hidden yards all over his college tape).”
The athleticism isn’t outstanding. But paired with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, he’s that dude.
Recent draft history — top picks for the last five years
2025: DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (Round 1, pick 17)
2024: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia (Round 1, 18)
2023: DE Myles Murphy, Clemson (Round 1, 28)
2022: CB Daxton Hill, Michigan (Round 1, 31)
2021: WR Ja-Marr Chase, LSU (Round 1, 5)
After hitting the absolute jackpot with Chase, who has produced five Pro Bowl seasons, the Bengals haven’t done quite as well over the last four years.
None of the four choices has stepped into the spotlight. However, Mims has started 30 games over the last two seasons, including all 17 in 2025.
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