CINCINNATI — ESPN's Bill Barnwell dropped his annual all-trades NFL mock draft this week and had the Bengals doing a deal with the Texans at Pick 17.
Cincinnati traded that pick for the 25th, 79th, and 166th selections further down the draft.
"The Bengals have whiffed on several defensive draft picks as Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins have gotten expensive," Barnwell wrote. "Which means they don't have many options besides ... trying again. Getting as many Day 1 and Day 2 picks as possible on defense would give them the best shot at finding cheap contributors. And their current first-rounder might come a little too late, as the Falcons and Cardinals are also desperate for pass rushers ahead of them. Maybe they could take an edge rusher on Day 2 and focus on defensive tackle or secondary help here.
"The Texans have rebuilt their offensive line, swapping out Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, and Kenyon Green for Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Ed Ingram and Trent Brown. Given that three of those players will be 30 or older this year and the one that isn't (Ingram) hasn't been good in the NFL, general manager Nick Caserio's job isn't done. Jumping the Seahawks at No. 18 is a must if they want to grab their pick of linemen after Armand Membou and Will Campbell are likely off the board. Could this be Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)? He could start at guard before moving to tackle after Robinson's deal expires."
A trade-down could make a ton of sense for Cincinnati, especially if there is a plethora of defensive trench pieces available at the 17th pick, that could also squeeze through to Pick 25.
Boosting a draft haul of just six selections this year would help them throw more darts at different talent baskets.
For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below as part of our in-depth coverage of the team:
Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, insight, film breakdowns and so much more!
You May Also Like:
Look: Contract Details For Tee Higgins New Extension With Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals Bringing in Free Agent Guard Lucas Patrick for Visit
Look: Contract Details For Ja'Marr Chase's BIG Extension With Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals Film Breakdown: What T.J. Slaton and Oren Burks Add to Defense
Look: NFL General Manager Explains LONG-TERM Impact of Bengals' Contracts With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins
Danielle Hunter's New Contract Could Impact Trey Hendrickson's Future With Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals Free Agent Breakdown: The Many Hats of a Modern Nose Tackle With T.J. Slaton
Cincinnati Bengals Veteran Named to NFLPA Executive Committee
Bengals Must Sign Two Starting Guards and Improve Pass Rush in Free Agency, Even if They Re-Sign Their Stars
Ja'Marr Chase's Trainer Hints at New Contract With Bengals: 'Earned Every Penny!'
Report: 'Nothing Imminent' With Trey Hendrickson's Bengals Contract, Trade Talks
'Praying They Keep That Special Guy' - Joseph Ossai Wants Bengals to Retain Trey Hendrickson
Don't Call It a Prove-It: Bengals Defensive End Joseph Ossai Details Why He Signed a One-Year Deal To Come Back
Report: Bengals Free-Agent Guard Target Teven Jenkins Visiting Seattle Seahawks Next Week
Former Bengals Defensive Tackle Jay Tufele Signs With New York Jets
Watch: Top Draft Prospect Luther Burden Picks Joe Burrow to Catch Passes From Above Other NFL Stars
CBS Sports Gives Bengals Mediocre Grade Following First Few Days of 2025 NFL Free Agency
Look: Bengals Earn Incomplete Grade From Yahoo! For 2025 Free Agency Haul Thus Far
'Everybody Around The League Knows That's Me' - T.J. Slaton Highlights Key Role He Expects To Fill With Bengals
'I've Always Wanted To Come Back' - Samaje Perine Discusses Return To Cincinnati, Role He Expects To Play
Highly Touted Edge Rusher James Pearce Jr. Lands With Bengals in Mock Draft From The Ringer
'Everybody's Goal Is To Compete For A Championship' - Mike Gesicki Discusses New Contract With Bengals
NFL Insider Shares Update on Bengals Star Trey Hendrickson: 'Hendrickson Wants to be in Cincinnati'
Former Bengals Defensive Tackle Jay Tufele Signs With New York Jets
Samaje Perine Knows Why He’s Back With the Cincinnati Bengals for a Third Stint, and This Time He’s Accepting of It
Bengals' Saga With Trey Hendrickson Should Come to Obvious Ending: An Extension in Cincinnati
Report: Cincinnati Bengals Have 'Ridiculous' Asking Price in Trey Hendrickson Trade Talks
Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End Sam Hubbard is Retiring
NFL Draft Film Breakdown: Is Armand Membou Ideal Fit in Cincinnati Bengals' Quest to Protect Joe Burrow?
Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency Preview: Could the Ageless Wonder Be a Depth Fit, Mentor to Jenkins, Jackson
Stat of the Jay: Who Holds the NFL Record For Most Sacks After Age 30, and Who Holds the Bengals' Mark?
-----
Join the 46,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe to us on YouTube.
Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI
Like Our Facebook Page
Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast
Follow on TikTok