Bengals Rumors: 3 potential Jessie Bates trade packages

Trade No. 2: Bengals send Jessie Bates to Giants in exchange for Sterling Shepard and 2023 third-round pick

Here’s another trade focusing on adding a wide receiver, with another team that has a crowded wide receiver room.

The Giants have spent a lot of money on the wide receiver position, yet their money is not leading to production. While many Bengals fans were on the GollaDEY wave last offseason, Kenny Golladay landing in New York was a true blessing in disguise; without the Giants overpaying, the Bengals would have never drafted Ja’Marr Chase.

After signing Golladay last offseason, then spending two prime draft picks on Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson, AND retaining Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, the Giants have to have something planned here. Although it might not be with the Bengals, it’s nearly a guarantee that they’ll make a move before the season. In this scenario, however, they send a weapon a veteran piece to Cincinnati.

Assuming the Bengals don’t want to pay the price for former first-round pick Kadarius Toney, and that Golladay and Robinson are unavailable in the trade market, that leaves Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard. Give me the slot ability of Shepard at his $10,000,000, with the option to retain him in 2023, over Slayton and his expiring contract.

Sterling Shepard has great talent but has struggled to stay healthy. With his price and injury history, the Bengals are able to get a future third-round pick in this deal as well.