Bengals Trade Rumors: Should Cincinnati Target a Safety or Running Back?

Several NFL teams have, over six weeks, failed to live up to expectations. GMs have been fired, quarterbacks have missed games due to injuries, and offensive coordinator hires haven’t worked out. 

When that happens, reports that those teams could trade some of their best players for draft capital start to circulate. Cincinnati could benefit from making a move with one of those teams. 

However, which position should be addressed? With the Bengals, it could be running back or safety. But which makes the most sense?

The Bengals' safety position has been hot and cold this season. They're hot when Bryan Cook is healthy and on the field: Cincinnati is 3-0 in games he starts and finishes without missing big chunks of play due to injury. 

They're cold when Cook isn’t in, and they have to lean on Jordan Battle, who has struggled with tackling and was a big reason Cincinnati lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in week four. 

A few safeties could make sense as trade candidates for Cincinnati. Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers has been a solid option. The Chargers are winless and could look to offload some players for draft picks. James makes $25.2 million a year, which could stretch the Bengals' budget. 

Budda Baker is a great tackling safety who almost plays a linebacker-safety hybrid role. Baker just had a sack in the Cardinals' win over the Los Angeles Rams. Baker is making $18 million a year and will be a free agent after next season. Either safety would complement Bryan Cook well. 

At running back, it’s just been cold for Cincinnati this year. Chase Brown has been a disappointment, and Samaje Perine hasn’t been much better, despite receiving more carries and outgaining Brown in the week five win over the Dolphins. 

Jonathan Taylor could be on the block, and the Bengals and Seattle Seahawks are two teams to watch. Tony Pollard could also be available with the 1-5 Tennessee Titans, and I’m also interested to see how the Jets handle the two-headed monster in their backfield with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, especially with Hall returning from injury. 

I’m intrigued by the idea of bringing in a superstar running back like Taylor, but beefing up your defensive backfield could go a long way toward shutting down opposing offenses and making the difference in the playoffs. If the Bengals make a move, I think it should be for a safety.