2014 1st Round, Bengals May Trade Out
By Brian Dugan
Sep 16, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals helmet on the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Not too much longer now and the Cincinnati Bengals will be on the clock with their first pick in the 2014 NFL draft. The Bengals are in a unique position in which they do not need to trade up in the draft to obtain the one player they need to complete their roster. They also have a bit of a disadvantage because they have no high picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. This is where things get interesting, because if a team like Houston, Jacksonville, or even Minnesota sees an opportunity to fill another need late in the first round, look for the Bengals to entertain first round trade offers.
The Bengals have done so well the past few years in the draft, and the talent in the positions they want to draft is so deep, they could afford to trade their first round pick for a 2nd round pick and a few later round picks. What is the 24th overall pick worth? Honestly, it depends on what a team needs. If a team like Jacksonville, who needs to draft a quarterback, drafts a more important need with the 3rd overall pick, they might want to jump back in the first round and get their quarterback.
It’s no secret that Blaine Gabbert has not worked out since the Jaguars drafted him in 2011, and with San Diego picking right behind Cincinnati at 25, Jacksonville might jump at the chance, especially if the quarterback they still want is there. The draft makes teams do strange things, and the Bengals are in the perfect position to pull a move like this off.
This kind of move would be determined by who is left at the position the Bengals want. Meaning, if they have three or four names on their big board, and they are all still there or only one has come off the board, then the Bengals would feel confident that with the 3rd pick in the second round, their guy will still be there.
This is not what fans want. Fans want to see their team holding up the symbolic “1” jersey with the newest, latest, greatest college prospect. There are fans that travel to Radio City Music Hall to watch the draft live, chanting Who Dey, Who Dey, and desperately waiting for that 24th pick. It is very possible the Bengals hold onto that pick and get their guy, but also very possible they at least entertain the idea of trading out of the first round. Don’t be surprised either way, because anything is possible come draft day.