The Cincinnati Bengals don’t normally go for blockbuster trades. When the team does turn phone calls into actual transactions with other teams, it tends to result in a mid-tier deal at best, such as the move for B.J. Hill (which turned out very great).
Still, it’s February and trade ideas that make sense tend to make the rounds.
Maybe the most interesting is one suggesting the Bengals should trade for Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox:
Trading for Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen would give the Bengals one of the league’s best interior defenders. While acquiring the two-time Pro Bowler would be costly—probably a high Day 2 pick at least—he would instantly boost Cincinnati’s run defense and interior pass rush.
The Bengals have $61.4 million in projected cap space, and while much of that is likely earmarked for Higgins, Allen’s $14 million base salary is more than reasonable.
Tackles like Allen are worth mentioning for the Bengals given the injury to DJ Reader before he heads to free agency and the overall lack of depth along the line.
Of course, the Bengals don’t like surrendering notable draft assets like those required to go and get Allen, even if the former first-round pick’s resume includes 39 sacks since 2017 and a bonafide fit up front.
Still, it’s a good example of what the Bengals need to address this offseason.
