Behind the scenes footage reveals Bengals were planning another aggressive move during the 2026 NFL Draft
The Cincinnati Bengals targeted former Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell from the moment the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft began. They even had a trade set up with the New York Giants to take him earlier in the round.
Trading the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for Dexter Lawrence was the most aggressive draft move the Cincinnati Bengals have made in decades. They had an additional plan of aggression as well.
The New York Giants’ offseason video series “Giants Life” reveals New York had a trade offer to move back from the No. 37 pick to the Bengals’ No. 41 pick in the second round of the draft. The New Orleans Saints also had an offer with pick No. 42.
“Alright so right now, we’ll move back to 42 or 41,” Giants general manager Joe Schoen told head coach John Harbaugh at the start of the second round.
Bengals wanted to make another draft trade
New York wasn’t even on the clock yet and Cincinnati was one of at least three clubs looking to move up to the No. 37 pick.
The Giants were only going to move back if former Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood was already off the board. Hood was their top target, and he became the pick at No. 37.
New York got its guy, and that’s exactly what the Bengals were trying to do.
Cincinnati really wanted to draft Cashius Howell
The Bengals targeted former Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell as soon as Round 2 began on the evening of April 24. Howell carried a first-round grade by the club, and ended up watching two other teams draft edge defenders before them. T.J. Parker went off the board at No. 35 to the Buffalo Bills, and R Mason Thomas went one pick before at No. 40 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cincinnati at least tried jumping K.C. to take Howell. It would’ve been its first trade-up in the second round since 2022. The Bengals traded up from No. 63 to No. 60 to select cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt.
The trade for Lawrence really sent a message. The Bengals are not playing around this year in trying to build a competent defensive line. It has cost them a top-10 pick, and it nearly cost them additional late-round picks to get Howell. Luckily for them, the Chiefs did not draft the Kansas City native who grew up rooting for the hometown team.
Cincinnati was more than willing to prevent that pairing from happening. In reality, it got to keep its original picks, and the pass rusher on top of the board.
