Connor Lew drafted by Bengals in Round 4 of 2026 NFL Draft

With the 128th general choose in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals chosen Auburn Tigers middle Connor Lew. This choose was acquired in a commerce with the New York Jets, which noticed Cincinnati ship picks 110 and 199 to New York for picks 128 and 140.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Lew was rated as a Round 3 prospect by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein and ranked seventy fifth general in the draft by NFL Mock Draft Database, so on paper, this appears to be like like a terrific worth choose that offers the Bengals a much-needed backup middle behind the growing older Ted Karras.

However, Lew suffered a torn ACL again in October, in order that’s why he lasted this lengthy.

”Lew is making a speedy restoration from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in October in opposition to Missouri. NFL groups not too long ago acquired a letter with a medical replace on Lew stating that he’s far forward of schedule in his rehab and ought to be prepared for soccer actions in coaching camp,” Wilson wrote.

At one level, Lew was seen as a late first or early second-round prospect, so if he can totally get well and keep wholesome, this might be a large steal for the Bengals.

Lew spent three seasons at Auburn and was a Freshman All-American in 2023 after enjoying in 12 video games and making six begins at middle. He began all 12 video games at middle the next season.

This yr, Lew began seven video games earlier than struggling his ACL tear. Instead of returning for one last season of faculty soccer, Lew opted to enter the draft and guess on himself.

Now, the Bengals can be betting on him to be the inheritor obvious to Ted Karras, seemingly earlier than Lew’s four-year rookie contract is up.

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