The Cincinnati Bengals have made a strategic trade with the New York Jets ahead of the final rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Improving the defensive side of the ball has been the undeniable theme for the Cincinnati Bengals through the first two days in Pittsburgh. Cincinnati entered the NFL Draft without a first-round pick, having traded No. 10 overall to the Giants for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, and used every subsequent selection to build around that acquisition.
On Friday, the Bengals took Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell in the second round at No. 41. It marked the third time in four years that Cincinnati used its first selection on an edge pass rusher. Howell was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-American in 2025, finishing with 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, six passes defensed and a forced fumble.
In the third round at No. 72, they pivoted to the secondary with Washington cornerback Tacario Davis, a 6-foot-4 boundary corner with 95 career tackles, three interceptions and 25 passes defensed over 37 college games at Arizona and Washington. Defensive coordinator Al Golden envisions him matching up against athletic tight ends on third down while competing for the CB3 job behind Dax Hill and DJ Turner II immediately.
On the final day of the draft, Cincinnati announced one more move: they have executed a trade with the New York Jets, sending pick No. 110 and pick No. 199 to New York in exchange for picks No. 128 and No. 140. The Bengals now drop back in the fourth round but pick up an extra fourth-round selection, gaining volume to work with as they close out their class.
Day 3 Targets: Linebacker, Offensive Line, Safety
With pass rush and the secondary checked off, the Bengals turn their attention to linebacker, offensive line, safety and receiver depth as the draft closes out. The trade with the Giants now gives Cincinnati picks at No. 128, No. 140, No. 189, No. 221 and No. 226: five selections to address what remains.
Linebacker is the most pressing need. Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis, a 22 years old with over 180 tackles across the last two seasons, was ranked No. 89 on ESPN’s big board entering Day 3 and is the type of versatile overhang defender the Bengals could deploy in multiple roles.
Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker Jaden Dugger is another name that fits. At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds with an 84-inch wingspan, he ran a 4.6 forty and a 7.0 three-cone at that frame.
The o-line is perhaps the second biggest priority for the organization. Oklahoma guard Febechi Nwaiwu, who sits at 6-foot-4, 316 pounds, allowed just two pressures on 505 pass-blocking snaps in 2025 and has experience at center and tackle, making him a realistic Ted Karras replacement candidate down the line. Center prospects Sam Hecht and Kyle Lew, both considered Day 2 values who slipped, are also on Cincinnati’s radar.
The Bengals also need depth at safety. With Jordan Battle and Kyle Dugger only under contract through 2026, Cincinnati needs to begin building long-term depth at the position, and Mississippi safety Wydett Williams Jr. has the production profile of a player who should have gone earlier. Jalon Kilgore, a safety-nickel hybrid, is another name Cincinnati has done homework on heading into the final rounds.