Bengals can benefit moving down in NFL Draft after Lions trade Matthew Stafford

The trade of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023, a third-round pick in 2021, and quarterback Jared Goff could benefit the Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft if they choose to move down.

With multiple NFL Teams needing QBs the Bengals would benefit by trading the fifth pick in the NFL Draft and moving down to acquire more capital. According to The Draft Network, eight NFL teams need a QB. The Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons are teams that need a QB with picks ahead of the Bengals.

Jacksonville will almost definitely select Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jets select second and anyhing can happen. If New York chooses to select a QB that will likely change the direction of the remainder of the first-round. Following New York are the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.

Brigham Young QB Zach Wilson, Justin Fields of Ohio State, Trey Lance from North Dakota State and Mac Jones from Alabama are all projected to be potential first round picks. Wilson and Fields are projected to be taken early in the first-round, with Lance in the middle and Jones late.

If Wilson, Fields and potentially Lance are available when the Bengals selection is called trading down to a team desperate at QB should at least be considered. The other five teams looking for a QB are the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers and Washington Football Team.

Detroit can obviously be taken off the list. Goff who is 26 was the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Lions trade for Goff takes another team off the board needing a QB. That should work in the Bengals favor to move their fifth overall pick. The Bengals top need in the 2021 NFL Draft is an offensive tackle.

This year’s draft is extremely deep at OT. The Bengals can move down, potentially receive a pick late in the 2021 first round and extra selections in 2021 and future drafts. Carolina holds the eighth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Washington 19th, Chicago 20th and Indianapolis 21st. Other teams could also look for QBs in the draft.

The Draft Network breaks needs down into three levels, primary, secondary and ancillary. Cincinnati’s needs are listed as OT and wide receiver as the primary need, interior offensive line, conerbacks, edge rusher, tight end and linebacker as the secondary need and safety, LB, QB and CB as ancillary needs.

The only position The Draft Network judged as not a need for the Bengals is RB. Targeting the teams with the most 2021 draft picks who also need a QB is the best strategy for the Bengals if they want to move down. With the fifth pick in the second round the Bengals will be able to land a franchise OT.