The Cincinnati Bengals don’t usually make splash trades, yet even “smaller” deals have helped them find contributors like B.J. Hill in past years.
That’s about as much as Bengals fans can probably expect again this offseason during a stretch that will mostly focus on extensions and retaining free agents.
Still, it’s fun to think about trades and while outlining dream trade scenarios for every NFL team, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the perfect move for the Bengals is simply trading up in the draft for a pass-rusher:
“It would behoove Cincinnati to find its next standout pass-rusher in the draft and have him on a rookie deal for the next four or five seasons. The problem is that the Bengals might not be able to land a blue-chip pass-rusher with the 29th overall selection.”
The idea of trading up in the draft to get help at a prominent need is outstanding. Fans might be split on the idea of moving up to get help along the offensive line or along the defense, but the point remains.
A year ago, the Bengals took a future-minded approach over the first two rounds with defensive backs. With a major bill of free agents coming due this offseason, the rookie class probably needs to have a bigger impact.
So if a guy the team really likes in either set of trenches falls down the board, moving up a few spots to secure them and a possible instant impact player makes perfect sense despite what it might cost to do a deal — look how great moving up to make sure they got Cam Taylor-Britt last year has worked out so far.
