What if the Bengals traded back in the draft again
The Cincinnati Bengals have already traded back in the first round to pick 21 but what if they traded back again on draft day?
The Cincinnati Bengals made a trade in early March for Buffalo Bills left tackle Cordy Glenn. The trade moved the Bengals back in the first round from 12th overall to 21st overall and the Bengals sent over a sixth-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick. They took a left tackle that when healthy is a top tackle talent in his prime all by just moving back nine spaces. Cincinnati still needs help on the offensive line but what if they can’t find the best help without reaching at 21?
Obviously, this is not something you want to hear when the team already has eleven picks without eleven needs. Before you scream and call names, just hear me out. This is only in specific scenarios should the Bengals even consider doing this. What if all of the top talent along the offensive line that would be worth a 21st overall pick is taken? What if they thought they could get what is there at 21 at a later spot in the first round?
In the last month, we have discussed heavily on why the Bengals should be aggressive in the draft and bundle picks to move up, not move down, to get the guys they want. Well, what if guys like Georgia guard Isaiah Wynn, Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey, and other top prospects are gone when they are on the clock? Could Cincinnati move back a couple of spots and take a center like Arkansas Frank Ragnow or Iowa center James Daniels later in the first round where they might be more of a value?
Moving back in the first round of draft day could bring in another third-round pick. The Bengals already having two third-round picks could bundle these third rounders to move up in the second and grab the second guy they want while still keeping two third-round picks. They would get the guy they initially wanted, just later in the first round, and be able to jump higher into the second round to get another guy they want that might not be there when they would normally pick in the second.
It doesn’t even have to be an offensive lineman that they move up for in the second round. If the Bengals watch players like Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch or Florida State safety Derwin James fall to the second round and think that those are the difference makers on defense for them, bundle that third-round pick with your second and move up. This still allows you to have a pair of third-round picks to work with.
This scenario all depends on what falls to the Bengals when they are picking at 21 in the first round. There are not many spots that need significant upgrades to make this team better immediately and if the Bengals can acquire more picks to move up further in other rounds because what they really wanted isn’t there they should absolutely be open to it.
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Obviously, if a guy like Wynn or McGlinchey is there at pick 21 then they should take on of those guys with that pick. This scenario is just basing on what happens on draft day and if they think they can get there guy a few spots later, why not build more draft picks in order to move up in the second, third, or fourth round for guys they really like?