Bengals’ trade deadline approach after Dexter Lawrence blockbuster comes down to a new and intriguing question
The Cincinnati Bengals already spent a top-10 pick to bring in Dexter Lawrence this year. With the trade deadline approaching with every goal still in front of them, their next aggressive move could take a different form.
In a post-Dexter Lawrence II trade world, anything can happen for the Cincinnati Bengals at the NFL trade deadline. At the very least, anything can be speculated.
Cincinnati has traded for a player prior to the deadline in each of the last two years. The Joe Flacco trade came weeks ahead of the 2025 midseason point. The Bengals also acquired running back Khalil Herbert in 2024. Those deals had two things in common. They came out of complete necessity due to the state of the depth chart at those positions, and Cincinnati surrendered a Day 3 pick in each transaction.
When the Bengals gave up the No. 10 overall pick for Lawrence, a player they believed could transform their team as a whole, a new conversation can now be had about what the club is capable of doing at this time of the year. No longer are Day 3 picks both the starting and ending point. Roster-altering additions now seem plausible with Lawrence’s arrival being tangible proof.
The question is, what would spark a trade for them over the next 10 days?
Will the next Bengals trade be out of need, or luxury?
The Lawrence trade brings precedent to real draft capital being on the table. The Flacco and Herbert trades, however, show what it has taken for Cincinnati to bolster its roster in the middle of the season.
I think you can separate possible trade targets into two buckets. One group would strengthen what the Bengals may already consider a strength of their roster. The other would plug a leak on the side of the ship.
Take Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs for example. They are both better players than whom they would replace on Cincinnati’s depth chart. But with the offense seemingly finding its groove last week against the Baltimore Ravens, would the front office view trading assets for another offensive weapon as a luxury move?
Then there’s the defensive side where the Bengals deal with notably greater inconsistencies at cornerback, linebacker, and safety. There are big names to inquire about such as CB Tariq Woolen and LB Zack Baun of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker. All three names would be considered big-time gets, but they would also shore up greater weaknesses of the roster and match the motives of past deadline deals.
Expectations and excitement clash
Life after the Lawrence trade opens up new pathways for the Bengals. With that comes responsibility, and the judgement to make the biggest impact with the resources at hand. “Sexy Dexy” is only in stripes because the price and fit were both aligned. If I were to guess which bucket the Bengals opt for this time, it will be to shore up a weakness on defense instead of empowering an offense headed in the right direction.
The Bengals should know they need the most help in the back seven of their defense. A plug-and-play starter, or first-off-the-bench caliber player would be welcomed at any spot that doesn’t already belong to S Bryan Cook or CBs Dax Hill and DJ Turner II.
But for those putting all their eggs in the luxury basket, taking a step back for a second. It’s fun to opine on any of this. These aren’t waters I’m used to entering when talking about this team. In no way do I expect a two-first-round-picks-for-Jeffery-Simmons type deal. But when the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers trade mid-round picks for former Indianapolis Colts stars Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, respectively, it’s a lot easier to picture the Bengals in that position this year than in years past.
Cincinnati is in position to do exactly that after beating the Ravens with the easiest remaining schedule in the league. That doesn’t mean every first-round pick Cincinnati owns is now on the table for another borderline superstar, but never before could fans let themselves truly believe a window-seizing midseason move is truly possible.
Whether Cincinnati pulls the trigger depends on whether a good deal is on the table. If it does, will it be strength and strength, or strength and weakness? The next two weeks should provide the answer.
