The 2026 NFL Draft has kicked off, and the Cincinnati Bengals are yet to make a selection. Of course, Bengals fans can feel comfort in knowing that very few players selected in the first round will likely have the impact that Dexter Lawrence will have in the 2026 season.
Cincinnati gave up the No. 10 overall selection, which would have been their highest draft pick since selecting Ja’Marr Chase fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Instead, the Bengals are scheduled to have their first pick be the No. 41 overall selection, which could potentially be linked to some exciting news the NFL announced.
NFL Announces Cincinnati Bengals Legend to Introduce Team’s Picks at 2026 Draft
The NFL announced that Bengals legendary quarterback Ken Anderson will be on stage to present one of Cincinnati’s draft picks.
Ken Anderson played his entire 16-year career with the Bengals. During those 16 seasons, he made the Pro Bowl on four occasions, was selected to two All-Pro teams, and won the Most Valuable Player Award in 1981. He led the league in completions twice, completion percentage three times, passing yards twice, and passer rating four times. He reached the Super Bowl once in 1981, as the Bengals lost 26-21 to the 49ers.
Unfortunately, Anderson received some bad news earlier this year as he did not make the Hall of Fame as part of the NFL’s senior nominees. He currently remains known as the best NFL quarterback to not be in the Hall of Fame. If the Bengals selection Anderson announces has a similar trajectory to his, Cincinnati fans would be ecstatic with that outcome.
Bengals First Selection
After Day 1 ended, there is still plenty of talent for Cincinnati to add in Day 2. CBS Sports Josh Edwards revealed his mock draft for the second round, in which he predicted the Bengals would draft cornerback Colton Hood. Edwards wrote:
“Hood does not have the largest body of work, but he made the most of this season, rising from off-the-radar to a potential first-round pick. He has the ability to be a quality starter on the outside in this league.”
Hood would be a massive value selection at 43 for the Bengals. He finished as the 21st-ranked prospect by NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Regarding Hood, Jeremiah wrote:
“Hood has average size but excellent play speed and toughness. In press, he is patient, staying on balance before using his hands to redirect at the line of scrimmage. He is fluid to turn, open up and mirror underneath. He has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. From off coverage, he trusts his eyes and is efficient with his plant-and-drive on balls in front. Hood is consistently in position down the field — he can locate and play the ball — but will get grabby at times when the ball is in the air. He is more than willing against the run, fighting through blockers and serving as a reliable tackler in space. Overall, Hood is a complete player and should be a very solid starter immediately at the next level.”
NFL Announces Cincinnati Bengals News During 2026 Draft