The Cincinnati Bengals hit Day 2 of the draft with defense on the mind and used the No. 72 pick on Washington cornerback Tacario Davis. After adding pass-rusher Cashius Howell at No. 41, Davis arrives as a possible starter in a second year that could use some help.

The Bengals will uses their 2026 NFL Draft picks to upgrade their roster and try to make a push back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Instant NFL Draft Grade: Bengals Reach on Tacario Davis in Round 3

The Bengals selected Davis at No. 72 overall in the draft with the idea that he's an uncommon talent with uncommon physical gifts. He's also the latest addition to a defense that the team hopes is revamped after an active offseason in free-agency, plus the use of all of its first three draft picks toward the acquisition of defensive players.

Those Bengals hold the No. 41 pick overall in Round 2, the ninth pick on Friday night. And they’ve got hours to chat with the teams at the top of the order about a trade up. The best draft prospects left on the board for the Bengals right now sure make it feel like a trade up could be worth it.

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Tacario Davis is a unique athlete for the Cincinnati Bengals to draft, but he's not the first of his kind to wear the orange and black. Defensive coordinator Al Golden is already linking him to former Bengals cornerback Tre Flowers.