Bengals trade deadline big board: Jonathan Taylor and Zach Baun reign supreme

The NFL trade deadline doesn't hit until the afternoon of Tuesday, November 10, but the Cincinnati Bengals should be zeroed in on several players as the ultimatum closes in. Not least among them is Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

For all the teams that are bandied about as potential Taylor suitors, Cincinnati makes the most sense by far. This offense would be legitimately unstoppable with Taylor anchoring the backfield alongside Joe Burrow.

But who else should be top of mind for the Bengals' front office? I'll further explain my Taylor take below and rank the rest of Cincinnati's trade deadline big board.

Most intriguing Bengals targets as Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline approaches

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Chase Brown simply isn't getting it done. He isn't quick enough to make defenders miss in space, and isn't powerful enough to gut out extra yards after contact. Samaje Perine is a fine player, but he's not some explosive big play threat.

Jonathan Taylor is the home run hitter Cincinnati's running back room desperately needs. Joe Burrow would be by far the best quarterback Taylor has ever played with. They would complement each other so well.

Think about defenses having to account for Taylor in addition to the Bengals' elite wide receiver duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Taylor also wouldn't have so much of a burden put on him and could extend his career in Cincinnati as part of such a pass-heavy offense.

Taylor had 369 touches in 2025 and is on pace for 381 this year. What a waste of an elite player if he keeps taking on that workload in a Colts uniform.

Perine is an effective No. 2 to spell Taylor for now, and Brown could be kicked back to Indy in a prospective trade. It just makes too much sense. Which is why Duke Tobin probably won't do it. Reverse jinx attempt.

2. Zach Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

Look, we can settle for Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr., or we could add a first-team All-Pro and Super Bowl champion for maybe a late Day 2 or early Day 3 draft pick. Gee seems like a tough call.

It takes two to tango. Eagles GM Howie Roseman loves to make a trade. Maybe the only thing he loves more is manipulating the salary cap. Both at the same time? How could Howie resist!?

That's what it'd take to get this deal done. Baun would cost the Eagles $10 million against the 2027 cap in a trade as his contract is currently constructed. Where there's a will, there's a way. I believe Howie could find a way to swing a trade if the price is right. Whether the Bengals have the will is another matter entirely.

3. Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers

I recently wrote about the prospect of Tuli Tuipulotu coming to Cincinnati via trade. Just doesn't seem super feasible. He's more of a pipe dream who had 21.5 sacks over the prior two seasons before this year's nightmare in LA.

The Chargers should be in fire sale mode at 0-6. Tuipulotu would likely cost a first-round pick.

If Shemar Stewart is indeed up for grabs, perhaps the Bengals consider punting on their 2025 first-rounder, toss in another pick or player. That'd preemptively solve their long-term DE2 situation opposite Boye Mafe rather than banking on Myles Murphy or Cashius Howell going forward.

4. Kenny Gainwell, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I just love Kenny Gainwell's pass-catching skill set. He's like Samaje Perine 5.0. Gainwell was a phenomenal receiver for the Steelers last season (73 receptions!) and is clearly taking a back seat in Tampa to Bucky Irving.

If the 2-5 Bucs keep skidding down the standings, why wouldn't Gainwell be an attractive trade option for suitors and the team alike?

The big appeal of Gainwell from Cincinnati's perspective is that he'd cost way less in a trade than Taylor. And he'd still provide the running back reinforcement the Bengals need. Might even be a better system fit since he's so adept at catching the ball.

5. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

With Travis Hunter possibly taking on more of a two-way role going forward and Brian Thomas Jr.'s role diminishing even aside from that, why would the Jaguars cling to him? Just because he was a past first-round selection?

BTJ had an outstanding rookie campaign but has failed to back it up since. I believe he'd be such a fun addition in Cincinnati alongside Chase and Higgins.

OK maybe the fact that Thomas would be a clear No. 3 option would crate some of the same issues he's faced in Jacksonville. However, I'm starting to cool on Dohnte Meyers, I've been cool on Andrei Iosivas even before he went to IR, and do I really trust Colbie Young or Mitchell Tinsley as the WR3 for this team? No I do not.

Thomas hasn't done much of late to inspire confidence, but that whole LSU connection between Burrow Chase and him, plus a change of scenery, could add up to something truly special.

6. Ben Sinnott, TE, Washington Commanders

A bit of a wild card/outside the box candidate here. Ben Sinnott was a second-round pick in 2024 out of Kansas State who I loved as a prospect. This guy's physical tools are downright ridiculous.

Since the 1-4-1 Commanders seem to be headed nowhere fast, what's the harm in serving up Sinnott in a trade? They seem content with Chig Okonkwo — if he's available, by the way, HIM INSTEAD, PLEASE! — and John Bates. Sinnott can't seem to get on the field, with just one catch all season so far.

I'm very much into Sinnott's upside and what he might be able to do in Cincinnati's system. There's a certain Sinnott-Cincy synergy that just gives me good vibes.

Look at what Burrow has done in the past with one-year stopgaps at tight end like Hayden Hurst and Irv Smith Jr. Why would Sinnott be any different, even as a depth piece for now in light of Erick All Jr.'s third ACL tear. Prayers up for Eric by the way. Beyond brutal.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow