Bengals could target these 2 Eagles if Philly becomes a trade deadline seller

The Cincinnati Bengals just saw their AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens, trade for former Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens.

If the Eagles were willing to move on from their starting center, just one year after signing him to a lucrative extension, perhaps other players could be pried away on lesser deals, both in dollars and length. 

Jimmy Kempski, a Philly Voice staff writer covering the Eagles, pontificated on other names Philadelphia could move if it turns into a seller ahead of the trade deadline. 

Two names caught our attention as potential Bengals targets if the Eagles made them available.  

Nolan Smith for Shemar Stewart and a pick?

Kempski suggested four more names he believes the Eagles could get a good return for. One of them is edge rusher Nolan Smith. 

Kempski believes that, with the Eagles signing a lucrative deal and likely preferring Jalyx Hunt over Smith, the former Georgia star could become expendable. 

Acquiring Smith may not cost the Bengals as much as you'd think. The Bengals could offer Shemar Stewart and a Day 3 pick for Smith's services. Stewart's rookie deal goes through the 2028 season. Then the Eagles could use the fifth-year option if they choose. 

The Eagles exercised Smith's fifth-year option, meaning he is under contract through 2027.

This isn't basketball, where salaries need to match up. Still, the Bengals could send another contract to get close on salary, since they'd inherit a fully guaranteed $13.9 million contract while offering a deal with $7.7 million in guarantees remaining. 

The Bengals don't necessarily need edge rush help. Cashius Howell, Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, and Cedric Johnson are playing well enough that the position is not an urgent need. 

However, getting something in return for Stewart, a player for whom we still don't know why the front office selected him, is better than giving up a roster spot on game day for no reason. 

Through four games this season, Smith has two sacks, two QB hits, and three tackles for loss. That is the same number of sacks and tackles for loss that Stewart has in his time with the Bengals. 

Woolen could corner Bengals sneaky need

Another name Kempski noted that stood out for us is Tariq Woolen. And while it may sound absurd to think they would trade away their starting cornerback, whom they just signed to a one-year deal in free agency this offseason, let us remind you that they just moved on from their starting guard, who was initially their starting center, which is where the Ravens will play Jurgens.

The Bengals are thinner at the cornerback position than they were when the season began, so much so that they've decided to play Dax Hill in the slot once again despite his explicit desire not to. 

Riq Woolen could provide depth on the outside and in the slot. A player with significant playing time in the league might be trusted in the slot, allowing Hill to head back out to the boundary. 

But the biggest reason Woolen is an attractive potential trade partner is his ability to guard tight ends one-on-one. With the Bengals' struggles to cover tight ends continuing into this season, a quick fix may be to acquire a defender who can competently guard them.

Finally, Woolen could show rookie corner Tacario Davis the ropes as the Bengals took the former Washington Huskies DB, with thoughts of Woolen dancing in their heads as 6'4 cornerbacks with incredible wingspans. 

PFF ranks Woolen 48th through 4 games, ahead of Dax Hill and DJ Turner, whom they rank 77th and 54th, respectively. Take that for what it’s worth to you. 

Nevertheless, if the Bengals do not think they can get anything done with Hill’s and Turner’s agents, Woolen could serve as a chip to play in a leverage game. It would also help that he doesn't share an agent with Cincinnati's starting corners.

Unlikely, not impossible

The Bengals probably have bigger fish to fry than trying to acquire Nolan Smith or Tariq Woolen if they consider upgrading before the trade deadline. However, if the Eagles made them available before November 10th, why not consider it? 

Each could improve the roster’s depth at their respective positions while also offering roster gymnastics that could create leverage in one situation and help recoup value from a bad draft decision in the other. 

Even if the Bengals traded for Woolen or Smith with no intention of extending either, those short-term rentals would be the latest signal that they're all-in for this season and willing to do whatever it takes. 

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