The Cincinnati Bengals spent most of the 2026 NFL Draft working on their defense, but on Day 3 they switched gears and focused on the offensive line. In the sixth round, they found a local solution.

Cincinnati chose Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker II with the 189th overall pick. Parker is from Cincinnati and went to St. Xavier High School before playing college football at Duke. He was expected to go around pick 106, so the Bengals got a great deal when they picked him in the sixth round to help keep Joe Burrow safe.

Parker is 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 309 pounds. Scouts talked about his athleticism and strong pass-blocking numbers during the pre-draft process. He has played right and left tackle along with center, which gave Bengals the option to use him at different positions along the line.

That flexibility is important because of the current roster situation. The Bengals picked Connor Lew, a center from Auburn, in the fourth round, who was recovering from an ACL injury but in the post draft interview revealed he was healthy. 

Parker offers vital insurance for the Center Ted Karras if Lew is not at 100%. Furthermore, his positional versatility allows him to challenge for the right guard spot, currently held by Dalton Risner. With Risner entering a contract year, Parker’s arrival provides the Bengals with both immediate stability and a promising long-term solution.

Analysts Believe Parker Will Add Depth To The OL 

Several analysts agree that Brian Parker II's low draft cost provides significant value. On NFL.com, Lance Zierlein described him as a 

"Tackle-to-center prospect with well-composed frame, good body control and sound technique.Parker consistently centers his blocks and operates with inside hands and good grip strength. He gets to his landmarks under control as a move blocker, has average drive strength on gap-scheme blocks and constantly covers his target."

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler shared a similar outlook. 

"Parker will lose tug-of-war battles with long-levered defenders, but his athletic ability, competitive toughness and intelligence are traits needed for a long NFL career. He projects as a versatile guard/center backup and would have starting potential in the right situation."

Alongside fourth-round selection Connor Lew, the Bengals have secured multiple viable options to eventually succeed Ted Karras, ensuring deep protection for Joe Burrow.

Do you think Parker was a good pick for the Bengals?

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Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi