Major Outlet Suggests Bengals Should Trade Down From 18th Pick in NFL Draft

Cincinnati has 10 selections lined up in this draft.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Apr 09, 2024

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2024 NFL Draft

Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals

NFL Draft

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CINCINNATI — ESPN's Bill Barnwell dropped trade-up or trade-down suggestions for all NFL teams with first-round picks this year and wants to see the Bengals move back if they get the chance.

Cincinnati already has 10 picks coming up.

"While the Bengals have paid quarterback Joe Burrow and a handful of key players around him, they still have to address the contracts of wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase in the next 12 months," Barnwell wrote. "Higgins will play on the franchise tag in 2024, while Chase is now eligible for an extension. There's not as much depth on this roster as there was during the run to the Super Bowl in 2021, and some of the replacements they pursued to replace departed veterans -- such as safety Jessie Bates -- didn't live up to expectations last season.

"With Higgins on a one-year deal, Cincinnati might want to take advantage of a deep wide receiver draft to move down and add a wideout who can serve as the third receiver in 2024 before taking over as a replacement for Higgins in 2025. Adding an extra pick would also make it easier to address the interior of the offensive line, which is the sort of position the Bengals typically would want to hit on Day 2 as opposed to the top 32 picks."

Historically, it's better to trade back and keep getting more darts to throw at the unpredictable board if teams get those offers. Joe Burrow's cap hit climbs to $46.25 million next season, making cheap draftees very valuable in the years to come.

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