4 positions Bengals should consider upgrading before trade deadline

Positions for Bengals to upgrade

3. Center

The Bengals offensive line had its fair share of question marks entering the season but the center position was one of the few spots that fans felt confident in. That’s because Trey Hopkins had played well and looked like a steal for this team until he injured himself in January.

Hopkins was ready for Week 1 of this season but that hasn’t proven to be a good thing, as he’s struggled in 2021. His PFF grade sits at a measly 45.3 and Hopkins just hasn’t looked like the same guy fans are used to seeing.

With that in mind, trading for a center wouldn’t be frowned upon. The team has previously been linked to Patriots center Ted Karras, who PFF proposed as a potential trade target for Cincinnati. Karras is in the final year of his contract and is someone the team should be monitoring.

Other centers in the final year of their deals who are playing for selling teams are Jason Kelce (Eagles), Matt Paradis (Panthers), Justin Britt (Texans), and Austin Reiter (Dolphins). Reiter worked out for the Bengals over the summer but a deal was never struck between the two.

Hopkins’ performance hasn’t cost Cincinnati a win but it could be a detriment down the road. It’s best to fix the situation now before it gets out of hand.