The Cincinnati Bengals don’t normally engage in massive trades, though one used to be able to say the same thing about them making major splashes in free agency.
It’s also no secret this upcoming offseason is the most important of the Joe Burrow era to date, with names like Tee Higgins and Jonah Williams headed to free agency and major holes to fill across the roster.
As such, Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting department has suggested the Bengals strike a big trade with the Indianapolis Colts for defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, sending a second-round pick to make it happen:
The Bengals really struggled to stop the run this season, and they didn’t get much pass-rush support from their interior defenders other than the 4.5 sacks from B.J. Hill. Trading for Buckner would give them a legitimate star in the middle of the defense. He only has one year left on his contract with the Colts and it has minimal guarantees, so he could easily be extended in a way that fits into their salary cap picture over the next three years.
The Bengals aren’t one to cough up major draft assets via trade, but it’s hard to argue with the logic of acquiring a flexible contract for a defensive star who had nine sacks and an 81.8 PFF grade last year.
Again, it’s highly unlikely, but going to get a star defender for a line lacking pass-rushers and DJ Reader both injured and a free agent is a good example of what an aggressive win-now move might look like after a season lost due to injuries.
