The focus of the offseason for the Cincinnati Bengals has been rebuilding a defense that bottomed out in 2025. So, naturally, the Bengals went heavy on offense with their first three picks on Saturday in Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
Here’s the thing, though: Defense is the priority, but the offense can’t be neglected. Remember what happened when the defense was neglected while the Bengals were rebuilding their offensive line? That’s why on Day 3 of the Draft this season, the Bengals drafted for contingency and depth on offense.
Cincinnati went for Texas A&M edge rusher Cassius Howell in Round 2, followed by Washington cornerback Tacario Davis in Round 3.
It was the opposite side of the ball on Day 3.
So, how would you grade the Bengals’ Day 3 selections? Here is some analysis on each pick to help determine your grades.
Round 4 (Pick 128): Center Connor Lew — Auburn Tigers
Despite being just 20 years old, Lew was voted a captain by his teammates at Auburn last year in 2025. That tells you he’s already a leader and will earn the respect of his Bengals’ teammates. Lew is coming off a torn ACL sustained last season, but he says he feels good and is on schedule with coming back from that.
Lew burst onto the scene in 2023, earning Freshman All-American status in playing just 10 games and making six starts. In the Draft process, Lew drew comparisons to centers Tyler Biadasz and Zach Frazier.
Round 5 (Pick 140): Wide Receiver Colbie Young — Georgia Bulldogs
Young is a questionable pick, given his injury history and a suspension for domestic assault during the 2024 season. While he hasn’t had any issues off the field since, that is a concern.
The Bengals have drafted a player from Georgia in each of the last three drafts. It was Amarius Mims in 2024 in the first round, and then it was Dylan Fairchild in the third round last year. Those picks have been major hits.
It could turn out the same way for Young, who averaged at least 13.5 yards per reception in each of his last two seasons with Georgia. In a make-or-break year for Andrei Iosivas, Young is now waiting in the wings to potentially become the Bengals’ WR3.
Round 6 (Pick 189): OL Brian Parker II — Duke Blue Devils
Parker is a great pick. His family is rich with athletic genes, and his girlfriend is the daughter of Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Tony Boselli. All of that alone should tell you that he’s a good selection for the Bengals.
Starting 26 games over his last two seasons at Duke, Parker was a Second-Team All-American in 2025 and has a 79-inch wingspan. Parker was a key member of Duke’s offensive line on a Blue Devils team that won the ACC Championship.
Draft Buzz has drawn comparisons to Wanya Morris and Josh Simmons, both current offensive linemen on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Round 7 (Pick 221): TE Jack Endries — Texas Longhorns
Endries had a rock-solid career that started at California and ended at Texas. He had at least 33 receptions in all three seasons, including 56 for 623 yards in 2024. He was California’s leading receiver in 2024, then caught 33 receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns at Texas last season.
With the Bengals tight end room thin beyond Mike Gesicki, who missed some games last year with a pectoral injury, this is a smart pick by the Bengals. More so, Endries didn’t miss a start in his last three seasons. That’s crucial.
Round 7 (Pick 226): DT Landon Robinson — Navy
The Bengals capped off the draft with a player frequently mocked to them in Navy defensive tackle Landon Robinson. The Ohio native was someone the Bengals showed a lot of interest in during the pre-draft season, as his production as a smaller d-tackle compared to that of Bengals great Geno Atkins.
The 5-foot-11, 293-pound Robinson earned a 79.8 Pro Football Focus grade this past season, ranking 54th among 887 qualified interior defensive linemen. PFF also had him ranked 122nd in this year’s draft class after he recorded 64 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks in his final collegiate season.
Vote for how you would grade each pick above, then expand on your thoughts in the comments section!
