The Cincinnati Bengals approach this year’s NFL trade deadline as a team unlikely to do much of anything.
Cincinnati isn’t likely to be buyers, barring something small, despite needs at spots like offensive tackle.
And the team certainly isn’t going to act as a seller of a major name, no matter what pundits want to say about names like Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson.
There are a few names the Bengals could potentially float in trades for small returns or depth at other spots, though.
TE Tanner Hudson
Hudson is the odd man out at tight end. Drew Sample is too valuable as a blocker, rookie Erick All has forced his way into playing time, Mike Gesicki is the new arrival and weapon and Tanner McLachlan is the high-upside rookie. Hudson is much older than the rookies and even clearing one of the five spots on the depth chart so that they can add depth somewhere such as the offensive line would make some sense.
WR Trenton Irwin
Irwin has been on and off the inactive list over the last two weeks, swapping places with rookie Jermaine Burton. He’s got value on special teams, but they have also been working with Burton on special teams since the summer, too. Even moving on from Irwin would still leave them with Charlie Jones on special teams and five overall, plus names like Kendric Pryor on the practice squad.
LB Joe Bachie
Bachie might not fetch much on the open market, but who knows? He’s a nice piece on special teams and as a depth option. But they also have undrafted summer star Maema Njongmeta as a piece who can perhaps do similar things if necessary. And, generally speaking, they don’t have to dip into their depth at linebacker often.
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