Bengals should entertain trade idea that would turn a recent enemy into a friend before NFL trade deadline
The Cincinnati Bengals are finally hitting their stride defensively, and much of the credit belongs to the defensive line getting healthy. Starters Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill have both played up to expectation since returning from their hamstring injuries, and key rotational pieces Myles Murphy and McKinnley Jackson are also looking the part since coming […]
The Cincinnati Bengals are finally hitting their stride defensively, and much of the credit belongs to the defensive line getting healthy.
Starters Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill have both played up to expectation since returning from their hamstring injuries, and key rotational pieces Myles Murphy and McKinnley Jackson are also looking the part since coming off the Reserve/Injured list.
The position group is finally in a good place, but it wouldn't take much for them to be even better. This is where a rare Bengals trade could really come in handy, and an obvious target for them is actually someone they've already faced this season.
Bengals trading for New York Giants edge defender Azeez Ojulari makes too much sense
The Bengals have always valued players who perform well against them, and no one has had a better game rushing quarterback Joe Burrow this year than Ojulari. The former second-round pick tallied six pressures and two sacks during Cincinnati's Week 6 victory over New York.
Ojulari has stepped into a larger role for the Giants recently with Kayvon Thibodeaux out with a wrist injury, but even with Thibodeaux now on I.R., the now 2-5 Giants would be smart to start looking towards the future and gaining draft capital where they can. Ojulari is in the last year of his rookie contract and won't be a starter once Thibodeaux returns, which makes him an ideal trade candidate for a selling team.
A to Z Sports' Mauricio Rodriguez listed Ojulari as a Giants player who could be on the trade block for these exact reasons:
"A former second round draft pick, Ojulari will be hitting free agency in 2025. He's played in 42.9% of the team's defensive snaps and with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the team, it seems like he won't be getting a promotion anytime soon. Ojulari's career has been impacted by injuries, missing significant playing time in 2022 and 2023 but he did set the Giants' rookie sack record with eight back in 2021. The upside is still there." – A to Z Sports' Mauricio Rodriguez
The Bengals themselves witnessed said upside against both of their best offensive linemen. Tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims have been studs this year, and Ojulari was still able to get home off the edge.
The folks at Bleacher Report are also backing the Bengals to make a move for the 24-year old pass rusher:
"If the Bengals are going to come back from a rough start to the season to contend for a playoff spot, they are going to have to be more consistent on defense. The unit has struggled at times this season and lost some games where the offense put up more than enough points to deserve a win. Part of the problem is a lackluster pass-rush that can't help a secondary that has struggled with injuries. Bringing in Azeez Ojulari could be the shot in the arm they need. Ojulari has played well for the Giants and had three sacks going into Week 7. However, he's an impending free agent and they already have plenty of money tied into Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux." – BR NFL Scouting Department
Ojulari would immediately be one of the Bengals' three best pass rushers off the edge and would be an ideal complement to Trey Hendrickson. Joseph Ossai is also on an expiring rookie contract, and both Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard are facing uncertain futures after this season as well. The Bengals could get a great second half of the season out of Ojulari for the price of a low draft pick and maybe even reward him after the season.
This also wouldn't be the first time the Bengals have traded for a Giants' defensive lineman. They acquired Hill back in 2021 for the price of Billy Price. Hill has been everything the Bengals wanted him to be, and they've no reason not to like Ojulari's game as well.
The Bengals almost never conduct midseason trades, but now that their season has life again, an aggressive move like this could be the difference between making the playoffs, and going far in the playoffs.
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