Could Bengals make a trade before the regular season
The Cincinnati Bengals should try and trade away right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi before the start of the 2018 regular season. Even for little in return.
When the Cincinnati Bengals drafted offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi in the first-round of the 2015 NFL Draft, he was expected to be the successor of left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Ogbuehi had time to sit behind the Pro Bowl tackle and yet has yet to prove he is worth starting on either side of the line. He has missed time in all three seasons due to injuries and being benched.
With the addition of left tackle Cordy Glenn, it’s likely Ogbuehi will not see any starting snaps in 2018. Cincinnati already declined to pick up his fifth-year option next season which means he will land in free agency following this season. With Jake Fisher and addition of Bobby Hart competing for the starting right tackle role, Ogbuehi will sit on the bench for the entire season barring injury.
With that being said, the Bengals should see what they can get for him. There are plenty of teams in the NFL that are desperate for tackles and even if the Bengals only get a late day three pick, it would be worth the trade. Some teams that are desperate for help on the offensive line are the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals.
Houston has a second-year quarterback in DeShawn Watson coming off a major injury and will have to find a way to protect their young investment if they plan to make any kind of run this season. Everyone saw what the team looked like with Watson on and off the field. The team fell apart when he went down for the season. Ranking the worst offensive line in the league last season with 253 total pressures, they need more than offensive guard Zach Fulton to add to their unit. Houston also brought in Seantrel Henderson but he will likely be depth.
New England lost their left tackle Nate Solder in free agency this offseason. They traded for San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Brown and drafted Georgia guard Isaiah Wynn who seems to be more of a guard fit than tackle. It wouldn’t hurt adding some depth to the offensive line for a late round pick when you have the oldest quarterback in the league starting.
Arizona was the second-worst offensive line unit last season giving up 217 total pressures last season. Bringing in veteran quarterback Sam Bradford who has one of the longest lists of injury history, and drafting the quarterback of the future in Josh Rosen, it might be time to add some offensive linemen to the roster. Arizona did very little this offseason to address the issue so adding a guy like Ogbuehi might be something they would be interested in.
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Cincinnati should try and get something for a player that will likely not even see the field this season. Even if it’s for a late day three pick, it would be worth the Bengals efforts. Ogbuehi has overstayed his welcome and yet to show any sign of improving in the next season. It’s time to cut bait and move on.