Bengals Hint At Possible NFL Draft Trade Plans

The 2025 NFL Draft: Should the Bengals Trade Back to Build a Stronger Roster?

The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and the Cincinnati Bengals are entering a pivotal offseason with just six total picks. With several key areas in need of reinforcements—particularly on the offensive line and throughout the defense—the Bengals find themselves in a position where strategy will be just as important as selection.

One potential path forward? Trading back in the first round.

This year’s draft class is loaded at premium positions, including guard, defensive tackle, edge rusher, linebacker, and defensive back. That depth could work in the Bengals’ favor. By moving down a few spots in the first round, Cincinnati could acquire additional picks—giving them more flexibility to address multiple needs and possibly still land a high-upside player.

Given their current draft capital, the Bengals may not be able to plug all the holes with impact talent. But a well-executed trade-down could yield extra mid-round selections, where this year’s class is especially rich in potential contributors. Positions like interior offensive line and defensive back offer solid value well into Day 2, making a quantity-over-flash approach not only viable, but smart.

For a team with playoff aspirations and a core built around Joe Burrow, surrounding that core with depth and young talent is essential—not just for this year, but for sustained success. With a few savvy moves, the Bengals could come out of the 2025 Draft with a stronger, more balanced roster and the pieces in place to make a deeper postseason run.