Cincinnati, OH -- The 2026 NFL Draft kicked off last night in Pittsburgh, and while Thursday's first round belonged to quarterbacks and pass-rushers, the Cincinnati Bengals sat it out. In a franchise-altering move, the Bengals traded their first-round pick for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II -- a blockbuster deal that reshapes both the team's long-term future and its immediate draft planning.
Now, all eyes turn to Day 2.
The Bengals currently hold the No. 41 overall pick (early second round) and will pick again later in the second or third round, depending on how the board falls. This year's draft is uniquely positioned for Cincinnati: a team that addressed a massive need at defensive tackle by trading for a proven star, but still has holes to fill at cornerback, edge rusher, interior offensive line, and wide receiver depth.
With the first round in the books and no Bengals pick to dissect, let's round up the final mock draft projections for Friday's action -- because in a draft where you don't pick until the second round, preparation is everything.
