Cincinnati Bengals: 4 Andy Dalton to the Colts Trade Scenarios

We’ll start off with a simple, straight-up trade for the first scenario. De-facto general manager Duke Tobin acquires some extra draft capital in exchange for the 9-year veteran signal-caller.

For the Colts, they’ll add Dalton to a talented cast that consists of T.Y. Hilton, Marlon Mack, and the third-ranked offensive line from a year ago, according to Pro Football Focus’s statistics. Dalton has had some serious success in the past when surrounded by the correct support.

Look no further than 2015 for proof. The Bengals had the eighth-ranked offensive line, a star wide receiver in A.J. Green, similar to Hilton, and a young, talented running back in Jeremy Hill, much like the Colts have in Mack. That iteration of the Bengals went 12-4 and Dalton was in contention for MVP before falling victim to injury. With so much talent, it’s not a stretch to think the former TCU quarterback could lead the Colts to a similar amount of success.

The Bengals pick up a third-round pick that is extremely valuable in this year’s draft class. The team has serious needs at linebacker and offensive line. However, the 2020 prospect pool is stacked with wide receivers and cornerbacks. With the extra selection, they can get the best of both worlds, filling a hole in the roster, while also indulging in the wealth of talent at positions they don’t necessarily need.