Parker II Selected by Cincinnati Bengals in Sixth Round

DURHAM, N.C. - Former Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker II was selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Parker II was the 189th overall pick in the draft, and the eighth selection in the sixth round.

Parker II, a 6-5, 305-pound product of Cincinnati, Ohio, joins Wesley Williams (119th overall pick) and Chandler Rivers (162nd overall pick) as Duke 2026 NFL Draft selections. The three are the first Blue Devils drafted since Graham Barton (26th overall pick), DeWayne Carter (95th overall pick) and Jacob Monk (163rd overall pick) went in the 2024 NFL Draft.

This marks the third time since 2021 that the Blue Devils have had three draft picks in the same year, and the 27th time in program history with three or more selections.

Parker II is the first Duke draft pick by the Bengals. Parker II joins a Cincinnati roster that already features former Blue Devils Joe Giles-Harris, Shaka Heyward and Jordan Moore.

We have drafted OT Brian Parker II with the no. 189 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/2Wu1o475Kh
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 25, 2026

A 2025 All-America selection, Parker II helped Duke to a program-record 35 wins over four seasons, four bowl game appearances (2022 Military Bowl, 2023 76 Birmingham Bowl, 2024 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and 2025 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl), three bowl victories and Duke's first outright ACC championship since 1962 with a thrilling 27-20 overtime victory against No. 16 Virginia. He played in 40 games and started 33, totaling 2,400 career snaps.

A second team All-ACC selection in 2024 and 2025 as well as an Associated Press First Team All-ACC honoree in 2025, Parker II was also an Academic All-ACC pick in 2023 and 2024.

Brian Parker II is returning home as a Bengal ???? pic.twitter.com/qZ7jZeRXdh
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 25, 2026

Last fall, Parker II started 13 games at right tackle and missed the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl after declaring for the NFL Draft. He was graded by Pro Football Focus (PFF) as having the fifth-highest run blocking grade in the regular season among Power Four tackles (85.5) and the highest in the ACC. According to PFF, Parker II posted the sixth-best total offensive grade among Power Four tackles (87.2), also the highest in the ACC.

Parker II was a key piece of the 2025 Blue Devil offensive attack that set the program record for total touchdowns scored (63), points scored (484) and pass efficiency (152.53). He was also an anchor of an offensive unit that became the first in school history to have a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard receiver and 1,000-yard rusher.

HOMEGROWN. Who Dey. ?? pic.twitter.com/JU8WxZzHgk
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 25, 2026

As a redshirt sophomore in 2024, Parker II started all 13 games and was graded by PFF as having the fifth-highest pass blocking grade among Power Four tackles (85.5) and the highest in the ACC. According to PFF, Parker II played the most pass blocking snaps nationally without allowing a sack in 2024 with 515, surrendering just one hit and nine hurries. In Parker II's redshirt freshman season he received the team's offensive rookie of the year award. He saw action in 12 games (seven starts) and helped the offense accumulate 2,174 rushing and 2,351 passing yards as well as 26 rushing TDs, tied for the fifth-most in program history. He played a key role in Duke only losing 171 rushing yards on the year, the fewest in the ACC.

"Bring me on home baby." pic.twitter.com/QACGqtVRyf
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 25, 2026

Parker II graduated from Duke in December 2025 with a degree in economics.

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