The Cincinnati Bengals selecting offensive lineman Brian Parker II in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft is viewed as one of the best steal picks of the draft according to an expert.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t![\"Cincinnati](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/USATSI_28905456-scaled.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Brian Parker II (62) lines up for a drill during a rookie mini camp workout at the Bengals practice facility in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, May 8, 2026.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Frank Bowen IV\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Finding long-term starters late in the NFL Draft is how sustainable NFL rosters are built. It\u2019s what the Cincinnati Bengals need to do in order for Joe Burrow<\/a>\u2018s Super Bowl window to actually last his entire career in the Queen City.<\/p>\n Brian Parker II<\/a> has a chance to become that. <\/p>\n Cincinnati selected Parker No. 189 in the 2026 draft. He could\u2019ve went off the board 80 picks ahead of then and no one would\u2019ve blinked an eye. His quality of tape, pass blocking production, and athleticism testing all pointed to him going off the board in the heart of the draft. <\/p>\n The Bengals landing him in the sixth round was a steal, and it\u2019s being recognized as such. <\/p>\n Brian Parker II considered steal of the sixth round<\/p>\n NFL Draft on SI\u2019s Justin Melo<\/a> tabbed Parker as the best steal pick from the sixth round of the 2026 draft.<\/p>\n The Cincinnati Bengals have needed improvements across the interior of their offensive line for years. In this draft, they came away with Connor Lew in the fourth round and Brian Parker II in the sixth round. The latter plays the center position with impressive technique and solid grip strength. Parker should make a successful transition from offensive tackle to interior blocker.<\/p>\n Justin Melo<\/p>\n NFL Draft on SI<\/p>\n Parker played both left and right tackle for Duke and is already being cross-trained at multiple positions along Cincinnati\u2019s offensive line. The 22-year old told reporters last Friday he was working out at guard during rookie minicamp, and expects to be moved all around the line throughout the offseason.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing able to play all these positions is huge for me,\u201d Parker said. \u201cI kind of take it from a center approach. The center\u2019s got to know what everybody\u2019s doing, so once you lock in when you know it\u2019s center, and it makes the other positions easier.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody knows Cincinnati is a tight city.\u201d Bengals rookies offensive lineman Brian Parker, who\u2019s won a title at his previous two levels (state, ACC) would like to continue that roll. pic.twitter.com\/kR3kazM0Wj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Petraglia (@Trags) May 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Positional versatility is Parker\u2019s calling card entering his NFL career. Verifying it will be what makes him the steal he\u2019s proclaimed to be.<\/p>\n I graded the Parker pick an A+ at the time<\/a>. If he proves to be a capable backup who keeps his head above water when given the chance during his rookie season, he\u2019ll be well on his way to being one of the club\u2019s best late-round selections in recent memory.<\/p>\n \t\t\t Cincinnati Bengals News<\/p>\n![\"Cincinnati](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/USATSI_28812090-200x200.jpg\")
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