The Cincinnati Bengals existed for over 20 years before exiting a draft without making a first-round selection. The 1989 team, fresh off a trip to the Super Bowl, traded out of the first round to take running back Eric Ball.

37 years later, for the first time in franchise history, the Bengals will start a draft without a first-round pick.

Cincinnati trading the No. 10 pick for nose tackle Dexter Lawrence is the kind of move a reasonable person would’ve never expected, but it is now the reality in which 31 other teams must work around. The New York Giants are slated to pick twice in the first 10 selections, and the Bengals will first be on the clock with their second-round pick.

The wait of 40 picks will be long, potentially agonizing, but the job is certainly not finished. Cincinnati still needs to hit on its three picks before the sixth-round, and key positions of need will likely drive the war room discussion.

Here’s our last 2026 Bengals mock draft, along with a few undrafted free agents to note.

Round 2, Pick 41: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The belief around the league is Avieon Terrell’s hamstring injury will cause him to fall out of the first round. Terrell suffered the injury while running his 40-yard dash, explaining the 4.64 time. He could go anywhere once Friday evening arrives, but I don’t see him falling past the Bengals at No. 41. He’d be an immediate answer in the slot, and a long-term replacement option for either DJ Turner II or Dax Hill depending on their contract situations. Cincinnati also has a strong connection with Clemson, as further evidenced by the Lawrence trade.

Round 3, Pick 72: Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE, Michigan

Filling both needs at linebacker and EDGE will be even harder without a first-rounder to use, but Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham brings a presence at both spots. He’s an LB by trade, but was moved to EDGE in the middle of the 2025 season and showed great promise. He’s one of the clear fits for the SAM backer the Bengals are still looking for to pair with Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter. Expect him to get opportunities rushing on passing downs as well in this role.

Round 4, Pick 110: Trey Zuhn III, OL, Texas A&M

Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III was in my penultimate Bengals mock draft and I’m not moving off of him. He played left tackle for Texas A&M but was also given a shot at center. The positional versatility will speak volumes to Cincinnati, as will his captaincy and durability of starting 50 games against SEC athletes.

Round 6, Pick 189: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana

Cincinnati wanted to meet with Indiana running back Kaelon Black so bad he was ordered an Uber from five hours away after his flight got cancelled. Humor aside, the Bengals will be looking for RB depth late in the draft, and Black is fresh off gaining championship-winning experiencing as a key player in the Hoosiers’ offense. The sixth-round is usually the sweet spot for Cincy drafting the position under head coach Zac Taylor.

Round 6, Pick 199: DeShon Singleton, S, Nebraska

The Bengals would still be interested in drafting a safety even after signing both Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger in free agency. DeShon Singleton fits the bill as a late-round option. He started at a community college in Kansas before transferring to Nebraksa, matching how Taylor ended up with the Cornhuskers 20 years ago. An NFL scout told The Athletic’s Dane Brugler Singleton’s position coach “Raves about his loyalty to the team,” per Brugler’s esteemed draft guide.

Round 7, Pick 221: Barion Brown, WR, LSU

Wide receiver may be a position Cincinnati has to punt on in the draft with one fewer pick, but LSU’s Barion Brown would be an enticing option with one of its last picks. Brown started three years at Kentucky before transferring to LSU in 2025 and leading the Tigers in receiving. He also has skills as a kickoff returner, and took a 30 visit with the Bengals.

Round 7, Pick 226: Jack Dingle, LB, Cincinnati

Double-dipping at linebacker shouldn’t be off the table with only seven picks, and Cincinnati’s Jack Dingle has the overall athleticism worthy of a pick. He was a participant at the Bengals’ local pro day, as pictured above.

Undrafted free agents to remember

• Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis
• Ohio State RB CJ Donaldson Jr
• LSU WR Zavion Thomas
• Maryland TE RJ Maryland
• Dartmouth OL Delby Lemieux
• NC State EDGE Cian Slone
• Baylor DT Jackie Marshall
• Texas A&M LB Scooby Williams
• Mississippi DB Kapena Gushiken