Now, the 2026 NFL Draft really gets interesting for the Cincinnati Bengals and their fans.
The Bengals had a quiet draft night on Thursday, April 23, as they has spent their first-round draft capital days ahead of time via the trade for Dexter Lawrence. But the Bengals do have seven picks in the draft, and with the second and third rounds of the draft scheduled to begin Friday, April 24 around 7 p.m., it’s really time for Cincinnati to get down to business.
The players taken in the second and third rounds might not come with the same fanfare and awareness, but these are premium players who will be expected to make an immediate impact for their new teams.
As far as the second and third rounds are concerned, the Bengals are currently scheduled to pick at No. 41 (second round) and No. 72 (third round). Here’s a look at who the Bengals might be targeting with those picks:
LB Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Cincinnati might be fortunate to see Howell last to No. 41, but it fills a need whereas Banks might be considered a redundancy and/or an unnecessary risk after the trade for Dexter Lawrence.
Howell played at Bowling Green and Texas A&M in college. And last season in the Southeastern Conference, he posted 11.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. That would be big production in those areas in the absence of Trey Hendrickson − and Cincinnati will be pressed to try to find production in those areas.
LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Rodriguez put in a full four years at Texas Tech − after playing the 2021 season at Virginia as a quarterback. Yes, you read that correctly, and the move from the quarterback position to linebacker was obviously a successful one, even with a significant injury interrupting his 2023 season. He finished his college career with 315 tackles, six sacks, 12 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles and six interceptions.
CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Terrell was graded by draft experts as a first or second round selection, so the Bengals possibly selecting him at No. 42 would make a lot of sense. As the first round went, some quality corners got backed up into the second round. Terrell is one.
CB Jerrod McCoy, Tennessee
Like the aforementioned Terrell, McCoy is a significant name who got pushed back in the draft. The Bengals would be happy to have him at No. 42.
DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Cincinnati could join in the run on Buckeyes in this draft class if Kayden McDonald is still available when they pick at No. 41. McDonald had 65 total tackles and three sacks in 2025.
EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
A four-year player with the Oklahoma Sooners, Thomas had 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 2025. He finished his Sooners career with 17 sacks and 40 solo tackles over four seasons.
CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Cisse put in two season at NC State prior to moving to South Carolina. He notched only two career interceptions but is one of the remaining standout corners by the second round.
EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
The Bengals have a need at the EDGE position. Parker can fill it, but don’t expect him to stick around for the third round.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Best prospects for Bengals in NFL draft round 2
Reporting by Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
