Landon Robinson receives special privilege despite being the last pick in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 NFL Draft class

Cincinnati Bengals seventh-round draft pick Landon Robinson will be wearing the same jersey number he wore at Navy, and is the only player Cincinnati drafted that will have that honor.

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen defensive tackle Landon Robinson (96) fumbles after colliding with Army Black Knights linebacker Baylor Newsom (21) on a punt return at Commanders Field.
Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen defensive tackle Landon Robinson (96) fumbles after colliding with Army Black Knights linebacker Baylor Newsom (21) on a punt return at Commanders Field. Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Jersey numbers for the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 NFL Draft class were announced earlier this week.

Here are the new numbers for the Bengals’ newest players:

Jersey Numbers for Bengals 2026 Draft Picks

Cincinnati selected seven players in the 2026 draft. These are their jersey numbers in numerical order.

  • No. 20: CB Tacario Davis
  • No. 55: EDGE Cashius Howell
  • No. 62: OL Brian Parker
  • No. 65: C Connor Lew
  • No. 84: TE Jack Endries
  • No. 86: WR Colbie Young
  • No. 96: DT Landon Robinson

Defensive tackle Landon Robinson has the largest number of the group and was picked last at No. 226 overall. He has arguably the lowest odds of all seven picks to actually make the Week 1 roster assuming no major injuries.

And yet, he had the luxury no other selection for the Bengals had.

Landon Robinson will wear his college number for Bengals

Robinson was No. 96 for Navy and will don the same number for Cincinnati. He’s the only draftee for Cincinnati who was able to choose his collegiate number.

EDGE Cashius Howell was No. 9 at Texas A&M. No shot at getting that from quarterback Joe Burrow.

Both cornerback Tacario Davis and wide receiver Colbie Young were No. 8 at Washington and Georgia, respectively. Punter Ryan Rehkow has had the No. 8 jersey since 2024. Davis was also No. 1 for Arizona, and that number is not leaving WR Ja’Marr “Uno” Chase’s jersey any time soon.

Center Connor Lew and offensive lineman Brian Parker also had the same college number as they were both No. 75 for Auburn and Duke, respectively. Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has worn that number since signing with the Bengals in 2023.

Tight end Jack Endries was No. 87 for Cal and No. 88 for Texas. Veteran TEs Tanner Hudson (87) and Mike Gesicki (88) own those jersey numbers.

No. 96 was actually the only number in the 90s for Robinson to choose from. He could’ve went with a number between 50-79 if it was taken, but luck was on his side. EDGE Cam Sample used to wear 96 on his jersey for Cincy from 2021-25. Sample signed with the San Francisco 49ers last month.

Special honor for a life-long Bengals fan

It’s far from a given for a rookie, let alone a seventh-round pick, to secure the same jersey number from his college days. Robinson is a special case, and his background reflects that as well.

Robinson grew up a Bengals fan thanks to his father, Lance Robinson. He’s no stranger to repping the orange and black, and will now have his own jersey made for him.

Before Sample, Carlos Dunlap wore the No. 96 jersey in Cincinnati for 11 years. Sample’s five-year run with the number was the second-longest in team history.

Robinson will hope to topple at least one of them with his childhood club.

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