5. Cincinnati Bengals (from MIA)
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
The Bengals need to come out of the top of this draft with a franchise quarterback, and while it hurts to give up the best one in the class, this is a sweet Plan B for a team that needs way more than one position to get out of the NFL cellar.
It would take at least Miami’s other two first-round picks in this year’s draft for Cincy to make this deal, and likely a good bit more. That being the case, the Bengals start their first-round trifecta in this draft with a polished, experienced passer who is ready to start immediately.
Now, the Bengals have their franchise passer in Herbert, and three more picks in the top 33 to build around him. It’s not Joe Burrow, and the Bengals would have some explaining to do to all the fans who already bought those custom jerseys, but it’s a handsome haul in return that could pay big dividends in the long run if Herbert pans out.