The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into what feels like the franchise’s third straight “most important draft in franchise history.” With the Super Bowl window allegedly being open through the duration of the Joe Burrow era, hitting on the draft has become even more important with Burrow’s contract about to actually hit the books. Not to mention the two lucrative contracts handed out to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, of course.
With the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, the Bengals currently only have six picks to improve upon last year’s 9-8 mark after dealing a seventh-round pick for Khalil Herbert. At 17th overall, the Bengals are in an interesting spot. According to some, it’s a prime position as the Bengals could get a solid player after quarterbacks, receivers, and potentially a running back or two are picked ahead of them. Could they pick a receiver or running back? It’s possible, but unlikely due to the fact that the team is heading into the draft with glaring, gaping needs.
With only six picks, there is a decent opportunity, at least in the first, for the Bengals to stock up on draft capital, should they so choose. Realistically, if the Bengals want to address multiple positions with starter-level players, they should look to slide back in the first.
A First-Round Trade Could Be Key to a Successful Bengals Draft
Currently, the Bengals have three picks within the top 100. With a trade or two, they could increase that and give themselves a better opportunity to hit on multiple players.
At 17, Cincinnati has its pick of the litter, it seems. EDGE rushers like Mykel Williams, Mike Green, and James Pearce Jr. are all in play. Green is a consensus first-round pick, so trading back would take the Bengals out of the running for his services. Plenty of experts are lower on Williams and Pearce, however, so if this is the board, a trade back and catch either falling in the second round could be a better plan.
Could guard be the move? Kelvin Banks, Grey Zabel, Josh Conerly, Donovan Jackson, and Tyler Booker are five options, but the latter four could be picked with a trade back.
At defensive tackle, Walter Nolen has been a popular pick for the Bengals, but guys like Derrick Harmon and Kenneth Granth could be there.
Corner? Only Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron seem to be anywhere close to in play, and, honestly, the Bengals should look to add at corner later.
Other players like Jihaad Campbell, Malaki Starks, Nick Emmanwori, and Colston Loveland are options.
So, there are 17 players that are even remotely in play. Trading back most likely takes the Bengals out of play for the corners, Green, and Nolen. Banks could be off the board as well, depending on how far they move.
The Risk is Worth It
In the current setup, the Bengals could get Nolen at 17, Tate Ratledge at 49, and Kevin Winston Jr. at 81. Obviously, that could be a best-case scenario.
How about trading back in the first and second and netting at least two more top-100 picks? Then, the Bengals can get a haul like Emmanwori, Tyleik Williams, Ratledge, Jonah Savaiinaea, and Kaleb Johnson, for example. By trading back, the Bengals can even double-dip at their biggest need. With as many glaring holes as the team has on the roster, picking a running back, even in a loaded class as this, would be a risk. What other position would you sacrifice for a player to split time with Chase Brown?
Trading back nets a pick or two to use on luxury positions like running back or third wide receiver rather than being forced to reach on a need. The Bengals have gone into drafts with blinders on and shoehorning themselves into picking a certain position. That’s how they ended up with Billy Price, for example.
