The days, and weeks, leading up to the NFL Draft is prime trade time, as teams look to acquire additional draft capital or shed unwanted contracts.
The Cincinnati Bengals are slated to enter the 2024 draft with 10 picks, but they could still look to add even more picks, or potentially even package some players or picks to move up. Here’s a look at three Bengals players who could be traded during draft season.
Chris Evans, Running back
Chris Evans ended the 2023 season without a clear role as he didn’t appear in a game for the team after Week 11, and that’s unlikely to change in 2024 following the addition of Zack Moss, the emergence of second-year back Chase Brown and the presence of Trayveon Williams on the roster. Cincinnati probably doesn’t need to keep four running backs on the roster, and they could potentially save a little bit of coin by flipping Evans for draft capital.
Dax Hill, Security
Last season, Dax Hill started every one of the Bengals’ 17 games. However, with bringing back Vonn Bell and adding Geno Stone in free agency, the team significantly improved the safety spot. Furthermore, it’s possible that they will try to choose a safety with one of their choices in the next draft.
As a result, it’s fair to question what Hill’s role will be moving forward, or if he’ll even be on the team at all. At this point in time, it sounds like the Bengals aren’t even sure what Hill’s role will be next season.
“Finding the best role for him to maximize his skill set would be something we’re working on this offseason,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said of Hill earlier this year. “. . . Finding the best fit will be up to our defensive coaching staff and (head coach Zac Taylor) to determine: Where can this guy help us the most to win football games? . . . “We’ll continue to assess all the roles as we go through the offseason.”
In addition to Stone and Bell, the team is also high on second-year safety Jordan Battle, which could make Hill expendable, despite the potential that he’s flashed over his first two seasons. Given the fact that he’s still just 23 years old, the Bengals could probably get a pretty decent return for Hill. Just because he might not fight into Cincinnati’s future plans doesn’t mean another team wouldn’t be happy to have him.