The Cincinnati Bengals selected cornerback Tacario Davis with the No. 72 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Davis, a 6-foot-4 defensive back out of the University of Washington, started seven games for the Huskies and recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups last season.
“Davis is more disruptive than productive with size, length and strength to reroute releases from press. He slams catch windows closed when he’s in the neighborhood,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein said.
Praised for elite size and speed at his position, the Bengals targeted Davis because they wanted a big, physical cornerback to add to the room. Davis now joins a room with Dax Hill and DJ Turner and will get a chance to compete for a starting role right away. The Bengals needed to add depth to their cornerback room after Cam Taylor-Britt and Marco Wilson signed with other teams in free agency.
Tacario Davis measurables at NFL combine
His 80-inch wingspan was the largest among all defensive backs at the 2026 NFL combine. The Bengals were seeking more length at the cornerback spot, and Davis checks that box. Davis ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in February.
“He gives us great versatility, excellent press (man), jam player. Lateral quickness, and the long speed to match,” Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden said. “We think he’s an impact guy, really excited about him.”
Davis began his college career at the University of Arizona in 2022 before transferring to Washington. The Bengals were also looking to get younger at the cornerback position, also.
He’s 21 years old and was selected because of the upside the Bengals see he comes to Cincinnati with.
How Tacario Davis fits with Bengals defense
Golden believes Davis will be an asset when the Bengals play teams with bigger wide receivers like Pittsburgh has with D.K. Metcalf. He can also be used to matchup against bigger tight ends over the middle of the field.
The Bengals used both of their picks on Day 2 on defensive players. After the 6-11 season in 2025 that left the Bengals sitting at home during the playoffs for a third year in a row, Cincinnati has made a concerted effort to improve on the defensive side of the ball through free agency and the NFL draft.
“We wanted to focus on pressuring the quarterback, getting after people, being physical and the guys that we brought in on the defensive side of the ball check those boxes,” Bengals assistant general manager Trey Brown said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How Tacario Davis fits with Bengals after NFL draft round 3
Reporting by Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
