For now, the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t been active in the trade department during the 2020 NFL draft.
But that could change in a hurry.
With potential draft picks up for grabs and cap space to possibly shed, the Bengals should consider moving the following players during the remainder of the draft.
Ryan Glasgow, DL
On one hand, the Bengals need some depth up front on the defensive side of the ball and Glasgow potentially offers some versatility and big play.
On the other, he’s played in just eight games over the last two seasons. The Bengals want fewer snaps for Geno Atkins moving forward but just signed D.J. Reader and could still add another versatile presence in the trenches as early as the second round.
If the Bengals can sell somebody on the idea Glasgow, a 2014 fourth-round pick, is back and healthy, it could net a return.
Giovani Bernard, RB
Bernard is a top-20 back in terms of pay in 2020, commanding $9.7 million.
That can’t be right…right?
But it is, as the Bengals hit Bernard with a costly two-year extension last September despite the running back market seeming to readjust to smaller numbers for everyone but the very top names.
After the extension, the Bengals fed Bernard just 53 rushes and 43 targets. He’s a model player and presence, but he could net a worthwhile draft pick in return and clears space at a position about to see Joe Mixon requesting an extension.
Billy Price, OL
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Bengals pull the plug on the Price experiment sooner than later.
Better to dangle him for a late-round draft pick than cut him for nothing at all.
While the Bengals like to posture like they’re happy with some of their developing talents on the line, Price hasn’t come close to meeting expectations as a first-round pick in 2018. At this point, a rookie guard could knock him off the roster over the summer.
Andy Dalton, QB
It’s hard for the Bengals to move Dalton and his roughly $17 million cap hit, especially when needy teams can still look to free agents like Cam Newton or Jameis Winston.
But getting even a chunk of the contract off the books and picking up a prospect at another position is something they should aspire to do. If this means eating a chunk of Dalton’s cap hit to add a late-round pick, better to get it done, freeing space and investing elsewhere.
