One of the most successful off-seasons in Cincinnati Bengals history is near an end with the NFL Draft in the rear-view mirror.

The front office did its job. The defense is better, the offense is deeper and the expectations are Super Bowl or bust. Up to the players to take care of that.

The draft was anticipated but the acquisition of DT Dexter Lawrence via trade for the No. 10 pick a week prior to the annual player selection extravaganza was massive, not only from an on-field standpoint but this move, being out of character for this family-owned organization, sent such a bolt of energy through Bengals Country that you could power half the midwest.

DRAFT

Here is a recap of the Bengals draft.

Rd 1, Pick 10: Traded to New York Giants for DT Dexter Lawrence.

Rd 2, Pick 41: Selected DE/LB Cashius Howell from Texas A&M. A 6-3, 253-pound defender will be used in a variety of ways but will primarily be tasked with getting to the quarterback. The 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year will step in right away to give this defensive line group a huge boost in pass rush with the kind of speed and bend this group does not have in any other player.

Rd 3, Pick 72: Selected DB Tacario Davis from Washington. Davis is unlike any other player in the Bengals secondary. He is tall (6-4) and fast (4.45). Known to be a sure tackler, Davis could see the field early in situations that call for man coverage of the opposing tight ends. Eventually he is expected to play outside corner, most reports claimed.

Rd 4, Pick 110: Traded to New York Jets

Rd. 4, Pick 128: Selected OL Connor Lew from Auburn. The 6-4, 310-pounder is recovering from a knee injury during the 2025 season but expected to fully recover. He is versatile and can play either OC or OG. Eventually could be the replacement for OC Ted Karras, whose contract is up after the 2026 season.

Rd. 4, Pick 140: Selected WR Colbie Young from Georgia. This is the only head-scratcher of the draft for the Bengals. In three years, it may be one of the best. A 6-5, 218-pound receiver who can run 4.45 is impressive. But he has an off-field issue that the Bengals claim to have completely checked out. Young would appear to be in a battle for the No. 3 wide receiver spot with WR Andrei Iosivas, who has flashed but being WR Ja'Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins has not been overly productive. What are the Bengals really going for here, long-term? Is a third wideout really that valuable? For NFL purposes I say yes. For fantasy purposes I say no.

Rd 6, Pick 189: Selected OL Brian Parker II from Duke. This hometown kid (he played high school football at Cincinnati St. Xavier High School) is earmarked to replace OG Dalton Risner at guard at some point. However Parker is football smart and played right tackle for Duke the last two seasons so his ability to play anywhere on the line is a huge get this late in the draft.

Rd 6, Pick 199: Traded to New York Jets

Rd 7, Pick 221: Selected TE Jack Endries from Texas. At 6-4.5 and 245 pounds, Endries is a solid tight end prospect for the Bengals who many were shocked lasted until the seventh round. He has some pass-catching chops but will need to work on his blocking to usurp any of the veterans for more playing time. However, Endries does not enter an uber-talented tight end room. All have flaws that could allow him to earn a role sooner rather than later.

Rd 7, Pick 226: Selected DL Landon Robinson from Navy. The American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 joins a loaded defensive line group but, despite being a seventh rounder, is expected to find his niche and make the team. Undersized at 5-11, 293-pounds, Robinson is a former high school wrestler who many compared physically to DT Aaron Donald. Nobody is saying Robinson can be Donald but like Howell and Davis, Robinson gives the Bengals something they don't currently have at their respective positions.

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS

While nothing is yet official, the Bengals are reported to have signed the following undrafted free agents:

LB Jack Dingle (Cincinnati)

TE Josh Kattus (Kentucky)

DB Ceyair Wright (Nebraska)

OL Christian Jones (San Diego State)

DB Isaiah Nwokobia (SMU)

RB Jamal Haynes (Georgia Tech)

LB Eric Gentry (Southern Cal)

RB Kentrel Bullock (So Alabama)

WR Noah Thomas (Georgia)

OT Corey Robinson II (Arkansas)

Among these names it would appear LB Jack Dingle and LB Eric Gentry have an opening to make the roster if they perform well in camp. Gentry is like 6-5 but pretty thin. Some are suggesting he could be a box safety type player as is or bulk up to an edge rusher. I cannot imagine either making it through waivers to be put on the practice squad when the time comes. Both are tall rangy players with a good deal of promise. So keeping them will be importtant. They should be special teamers right away and work into more defensive snaps. The OT Christian Jones is a huge man, a trait the team seems to like in its tackles. He will be developed to eventually be a starter. The others are prime candidates for the practice squad at this moment.

GOING FORWARD

It would seem the Bengals still could use a veteran linebacker. As much as I like Dingle and Gentry, I just feel a veteran presence is going to happen. They are tight to the cap to be clear but a cut or contract restructuring for someone like QB Joe Burrow would open enough money to get someone like LB Bobby Wagner in stripes. At this point, that has not happened but there is plenty of time before training camp starts to make additions...and subtractions.

TRANSACTIONS

April

19-Acquired DT Dexter Lawrence in trade with New York Giants for draft pick 1.10. Signed Lawrence to contract extension

7-Waived OL Matt Lee

2-Signed CB JaSir Taylor, DB Kyle Dugger

March

25-Re-signed QB Joe Flacco

14-Signed QB Josh Johnson

13-Signed DT Jonathan Allen

12-Signed OT Orlando Brown Jr. to contract extension

12-Signed DB Bryan Cook

12-Signed DE Boye Mafe

11-The contracts for the following 12 players expired making them unrestricted free agents: DB Tycen Anderson, LB Brian Asamoah II, TE Noah Fant, QB Joe Flacco, DE Trey Hendrickson, DE Joseph Ossai, OL Lucas Patrick, DE Cam Sample, DB Geno Stone, DB Cam Taylor-Britt, OL Cordell Volson, DB Marco Wilson.

11-QB Jake Browning became a free agent.

2-Signed OL Dalton Risner to contract extension

FEBRUARY

20-Signed DB Jalen Davis to contract extension.

20-Re-signed RB Kendall Milton

18-Re-signed WR Kendric Pryor

9-Activated from Reserve/Injured List LB Brian Asamoah II, DE Trey Hendrickson, DT Kris Jenkins Jr., OL Matt Lee, DB Cam Taylor-Britt, OL Cordell Volson, DB Marco Wilson

9-Activated from Reserve/PUP List TE Erick All Jr.

9-Activated from Reserve/Future List LB Liam Anderson, OL Jacob Bayer, RB Gary Brightwell, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross III, OT Javon Foster, WR Xavier Johnson, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, WR Jordan Moore, LB Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DB Russ Yeast.

End.