Cap-Strapped Bengals Predicted To Pull Off Bold Trade During 1st Round of 2025 NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the key teams to monitor in free agency this offseason. With three of their four best players up for lucrative contract extensions, their pathway was going to be worth observing. Eventually, it led to record-breaking extensions for both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

However, Trey Hendrickson remains without a new contract as the team’s attention shifts to Lambeau Field and the 2025 NFL Draft. One analyst believes their growing price at the top of the roster is going to lead to the team trading in quantity for quality.

Cincinnati Bengals Trade Down To Build Out Roster

Between Chase and Higgins — plus franchise quarterback Joe Burrow — the Bengals have over $120 million to pay annually. Add in the potential money Hendrickson might make, and the rest of the roster would naturally fall behind from a talent standpoint.

As a result, PFSN analyst Kyle Soppe believes the best course of action for Cincinnati is to trade down in the draft. When the Bengals go on the clock at Lambeau Field, they will have just two picks in the first 80, which is not enough to build a competitive enough roster.

Soppe wrote: “At this moment, the Cincinnati Bengals only have two picks inside the top-80, and given how much money they are currently paying their star contributors, they are going to be interested in picking up some salary-controlled rookies.”

In particular, the team needs to focus on the defensive end. Between Burrow and their two big-money receivers, Cincinnati should have a great to excellent offense, without question. But their defensive unit needs some tinkering.

Soppe wrote: “They need defensive reinforcements in bunches, as they ranked No. 28 in PFSN’s Defense+ metric last season — their second straight finish in the bottom six of our metric after ranking 11th in 2022. Cashing in quality (No. 17 overall pick) for quantity could be the savvy play.”

Pulling the Trigger on a Trey Hendrickson Deal?

To make the trade happen, Soppe is even willing to entertain the idea of Hendrickson having a new home in the 2025 season. The Bengals were open to the idea in the offseason and let him explore a trade, and negotiations remain ongoing. The Pro Bowl pass rusher is seeking somewhere in the range of $30 million per year.

Soppe wrote: “In the name of picking up assets, could we see a draft-day trade of Trey Hendrickson? If they are open to that idea, it expands their number of dance partners and allows them to be creative.”

The latest mock draft from PFSN also believes the Hendrickson deal might be their best bet. After adding Walter Nolen with their 17th overall pick, Jacob Infante has them trading the star edge rusher, alongside the 81st overall pick, in exchange for the 22nd overall pick from the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jim Harbaugh just lost Joey Bosa in the offseason, so Hendrickson could fill that hole nicely for the Chargers. Meanwhile, the Bengals get younger by bringing in Mike Green from Marshall to replace last year’s league leader in sacks.