Bengals selected Auburn C Connor Lew with the No. 128 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

25 April 2026

An SEC All-Freshman Team honoree, Lew is a technically sound, high-IQ interior lineman whose consistency and processing ability give him a strong floor at the next level. He posted a 71.9 PFF grade in 2025 after a career-best 79.9 mark in 2024, allowing just 2 sacks and 4 total pressures across 244 pass-blocking snaps with a 98.7 pass-blocking efficiency, continuing a three-year run of steady pass protection. Across his career, Lew surrendered only 3 sacks and 19 total pressures on 914 pass-blocking snaps, showcasing reliable technique, strong hand usage and the ability to control reps early with quick, independent strikes. Lew wins with strong hands, core strength and a wrestling background that shows up in his leverage and ability to anchor, while also demonstrating sharp awareness to identify fronts and handle twists, blitzes and second-level threats. He can struggle to generate consistent leg drive against nose tackles and avoid over-setting in pass protection, especially after returning from a 2025 ACL injury that limited his snap count. With advanced processing, clean pass-protection production and positional versatility, Lew projects as a high-floor interior starter who fits best gap-heavy NFL scheme.