2024 NFL Draft: First-round trades could be made by Bengals, including blockbuster deal for Justin Jefferson

One of the reasons the NFL Draft is so fun to watch every year is because it is very unpredictable. When the draft begins on April 25 in Detroit, there’s a good chance we’ll see at least one trade happen in the first round that would leave us absolutely shocked. For example, we saw the Texans go a little crazy last year when they decided to move up from 12th to third overall to get Will Anderson Jr., and that was after selecting CJ Stroud with the second overall pick. general.

While not every trade will be this shocking, it’s almost a guarantee that we’ll see several first-round trades take place. With that in mind, we’re looking at potential trades some teams could make in the first round this year, and today we’re taking a look at the possible options on the table for the Cincinnati Bengals.

If the Bengals have to make a trade in the first round, it will almost certainly be a down trade. In the last 25 years, the Bengals have not traded up ONCE in the first round of the draft. However, going down is a different story as the Bengals have made it to the first round twice since 2010.

Now that you know their trade history, we’re going to look at three possible trades the Bengals could make in the first round, including one that would move them up, one that would move them down, and a crazy one that would move them up. finish with Justin Jefferson in Cincinnati.

Trade in the top 10

• The Bengals get: Ninth overall pick
• Bears get: 18th overall pick, second round pick (49th overall), third round pick (97th overall)

Heading into the 2024 draft, the Bengals don’t have many gaping holes on their roster. Their biggest needs are in the trenches (defensive tackle and right tackle), as well as receiver, tight end and corner. They currently have solid starters at each of these spots, but it wouldn’t be surprising at all if one of these five positions ends up being the first-round pick.

As we’ve already mentioned, the Bengals almost never trade up in the first round, but it could make sense in this scenario. If the Bengals were to trade up to the ninth overall pick, that would put them in a position where they could possibly get one of the best players available at their greatest position of need.

If they want a tight end, there’s a good chance Brock Bowers is still on the board. If they want an offensive lineman, they would be able to pick the second-best lineman in the draft, with only Joe Alt likely to go off the board before the Bengals pick at nine. If they want a top corner, they can probably get the best corner in the draft with Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold. If they want a receiver, they would have a chance to get just about anyone not named Malik Nabers or Marvin Harrison Jr., as top players like Rome Odunze and Brian Thomas Jr. would almost certainly be available ninth overall.

Basically, this would allow the Bengals to draft someone at the top of their draft board, regardless of the position they feel is their greatest need.

The reason the Bears would potentially be open to this deal is because they currently only have four picks in the entire draft, which would bring that total to seven. Additionally, they currently don’t have a second rounder this year and this deal would fill that void for them.

For more coverage of the project, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on “With the first choice” — our all year round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find “With First Choice” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtubeetc. Listen below!

Trade up to #28

• The Bengals get: 28th overall pick, second round pick (60th overall), fourth round pick (133rd overall)
• Invoices receive: 18th overall pick, seventh round pick (237th overall)

After trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, there’s a good chance the Bills will look to land a receiver in the first round. If they want to get Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers, they’ll probably have to go in the top six, which could get too expensive, so they settle for this trade with the Bengals.

Coming in at No. 18 overall, the Bills could have someone like LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. fall in their lap, but if they don’t like their receiving options at No. 18, they could take a passer like Laiatu Latu from UCLA or Penn State. Chop Robinson. The Bills might also be able to take a defensive tackle like Byron Murphy II if they wanted to go that route.

As for the Bengals, if they pull off this trade, they would have three top-60 picks and that would be ideal for a team looking to add quality depth. This deal would open the door for them to an offensive tackle, a defensive tackle and a wide receiver, all in the top 60.

This trade would also give the Bengals five picks for the second day of the draft, and that’s where they’ve done some of their best work in recent years with selections like Tee Higgins, Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Jessie Bates III, Sam Hubbard and Joe Mixon, all of whom have been second or third round picks since 2017.

Make a trade for Justin Jefferson

The Bengals get: Justin Jefferson
The Vikings get: Tee Higgins, 18th overall pick, 2025 third-round pick

Crazy things always happen in the NFL Draft and this would definitely be considered crazy. This trade probably has less than a 1% chance of happening, but we’re going to throw it anyway because you can at least make a case that this deal would make sense, especially if you look at everything that’s happened this offseason. :

This seems like the perfect storm for a crazy trade. If you’re the Vikings, this would be a great deal because not only are you getting a receiver to replace Jefferson, but you’re also getting the 18th overall pick in the 2024 draft, which should help fill another hole on your roster . Not to mention, Higgins will likely fetch $4-5 million per year cheaper than Jefferson on a long-term deal, so that would be another plus for Minnesota.

As for the Bengals, adding Jefferson would be a salary cap nightmare, but it would prove that they are all about winning a Super Bowl in 2024 and it would be especially fitting since the Super Bowl is being played at the New Orleans Superdome. , where Burrow, Chase and Jefferson won their national title together while playing for LSU.

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place April 25-27 in Detroit. More coverage of the draft can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly updated draft ordinancemock drafts and one available regularly look at eligible prospects.