Bengals Earn Solid Draft Marks After Dexter Lawrence Deal

Overview

• Cincinnati entered the draft without the No. 10 pick after trading it for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, then opened with edge rusher Cashius Howell at No. 41 and cornerback Tacario Davis in the third round.
• Day 3 drew the most praise as the Bengals targeted the interior offensive line with center Connor Lew and guard Brian Parker II, picks highlighted for starter upside and strong college production.
• Major outlets clustered in the B range, with NFL.com, ESPN, and USA Today giving Bs, Bleacher Report and Pro Football Focus at B+, and CBS Sports the outlier at A- for the late-round value.
• Evaluators say the roster gets immediate help on defense, noting Lawrence, Howell, and Davis project to early roles for a unit that ranked 31st last season.
• An SB Nation survey reported fans preferred not to trade back into Round 1, and the team kept its remaining capital while adding depth at receiver, tight end, and the defensive front.