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Should the Cincinnati Bengals Trade Back in Round Two?

By Hunter Bittinger

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Defensive back Darqueze Dennard #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals blocks wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns as free safety Jessie Bates #30 runs with an interception during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Defensive back Darqueze Dennard #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals blocks wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns as free safety Jessie Bates #30 runs with an interception during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Cincinnati Bengals have historically favored moving back in the draft when they do make transactions. Here, we look at the benefits of trading back in the second round this year. 

The Cincinnati Bengals front office typically prefers to stay put in the draft. However, when the team does opt to pull the trigger on a trade, they lean towards the philosophy of trading back and acquiring more draft capital in the process.

As things stand, there is certainly a scenario where every top offensive tackle and wide receiver prospect is taken before their second-round selection. The Bengals could draft a linebacker, their other glaring weakness, with pick 33, but chances are they could trade back and still end up with the player they want.

The organization traded back in the second round just last season in a transaction with the Broncos. They sent the 42nd pick to Denver in return for picks 52, 125, and 182. They actually got the short end of the trade, netting -35 points according to the draft pick trade value chart.

This time around, they should be in the driver’s seat and get the better end of the deal. If the front office looks at the board at the start of day two and there isn’t a prospect that falls to them or they believe the player they want will still be available in the middle of the round, they should have no shortage of suitors wanting to trade up. This is especially true for teams who want a second-tier quarterback such as Jake Fromm, Jalen Hurts, or Jacob Eason. Those franchises may be willing to overpay.

Getting extra picks, with one likely coming in the fourth round, will be helpful, particularly in this draft class. There is an abundance of depth at positions the Bengals don’t necessarily need, such as wide receiver and tight end. With so many holes on the roster currently, they may be forced to draft out of necessity, even if a stellar player at a different position falls to them. With extra picks, they’d be able to add the new faces to the linebacker room that they so desperately need, while also drafting an exciting player to give Joe Burrow (their presumptive first-round pick) more firepower.

Perhaps the organization’s most masterful trade in the second round came two years ago. The team moved back from pick 46 to pick 54. In addition, they gave up their fourth-round pick (#100), but gained another selection in round three (#78). The front office was still able to select safety Jessie Bates, who has been stellar, and pick up more draft capital in the process. The way things are projected to fall in the draft currently could see the Bengals benefit in a similar way.

Of course, if offensive tackle Josh Jones or linebacker Kenneth Murray is still on the board when their second-round pick comes along, the Bengals should take one of them. If those caliber players are gone, it may be more beneficial to move back and gain the ability to address more weaknesses.

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