Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals

NFL teams selected 19 offensive players in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which sets the Bengals up nicely with defensive options for their second round pick. James Rapien and Jake Liscow break down the best available prospects for the Bengals, and discuss who they may be targeting now that we've seen the first round. 

Plus, we get into Caleb Downs and Rueben Bain each slipping past 10, where the Bengals would have had their choice of two of the draft's premium defensive targets if not for acquiring Dexter Lawrence to be their defensive centerpiece.

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The Joe Burrow Effect is real, so much so that the Cincinnati Bengals are without a First Round pick for the first time since 1989. Burrow's happiness is a bigger topic than it should be, so that's why the Bengals making this seismic trade ignites the conversation on if Burrow now feels better about the Bengals and the direction the organization is heading. 

Speaking of the Bengals' organization, one aspect of trading for Dexter Lawrence is them seizing control. It's not just for this season, but this could change the legacy of Mike Brown and how he and the Bengals' front office is viewed around the league. 

There can't possibly be any downsides to the Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence. But then again, every trade comes at a cost. Did the Bengals give more than just the No. 10 overall pick? 

Six years ago today, the Bengals drafted Joe Burrow. Alex Frank and Coach Art Valero discuss that and share their favorite NFL Draft memories. 

 

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FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. 

Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. 

Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. 

Quo Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnfl. 

Home Chef For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Go to http://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON. 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Without a first round pick, it feels harder than ever to predict who the Cincinnati Bengals will select in the 2026 NFL Draft. Jake Liscow and James Rapien work their way through the scenarios and names that could be in play for the Bengals in their final predictive mock of the year. Is Jacob Rodriguez the favorite at 41? Would it be ideal if they can snag a falling corner like Chris Johnson in the 2nd round and hope for value at linebacker in the 3rd? The guys answer those questions and more as they identify the Bengals' draft targets. 

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If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.

Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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Find and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-bengals-daily-podcast-on-the-cincinnati-bengals/id1159723162

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Rugiet

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Quo

Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. 

Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnfl.

Home Chef

For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Go to http://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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After taking their massive swing to trade for Dexter Lawrence, the Cincinnati Bengals will start the 2026 NFL Draft on Day 2. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how their priorities have shifted without a first round pick and the potential impact defender like Rueben Bain or Caleb Downs they may have been hoping to pick in the 1st round. 

The guys discuss how talent and need could intersect for the Bengals on Day 2, and discuss the trade back scenarios as focus shifts back to the draft.

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.

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Find and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-bengals-daily-podcast-on-the-cincinnati-bengals/id1159723162

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vbG9ja2Vkb25iZW5nYWxz?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwio_sXtj8nuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-bengals

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Rugiet

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Quo

Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. 

Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnfl.

Home Chef

For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Go to http://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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This is all in. Mike Brown, Duke Tobin, Zac Taylor, Al Golden, and the Cincinnati Bengals are going all in on the 2026 Season by trading for Dexter Lawrence, the best defensive tackle in the NFL. 

Alex Frank, Jake Liscow, and Coach Art Valero discuss this seismic move that is a complete shift in organizational philosophy in a win-now window for the Bengals. 

While the Bengals now don't have the 10th overall pick in this year's Draft, they still have seven picks remaining in Rounds 2-7. What are the biggest positions of need now for the Bengals? Has their draft strategy shifted? 

Linebacker is still a pressing need for this team. However, trading for Dexter Lawrence now makes them a question mark as opposed to a liability. Alex explains why that alone raises the ceiling for this team. 

Finally, the guys discuss the national view on the Bengals making this blockbuster trade and what it could mean for the 2026 Bengals' schedule.

 

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.

Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.

Indeed

Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

Rugiet

Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.

Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. 
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnfl.

Home Chef
For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Go to http://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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