The Cincinnati Bengals are heading to Miami this weekend to look for a win over the Dolphins before the bye week.
The Bengals are currently 2-2 but have the opportunity to get back in the win column against a Dolphins team that has yet to win a game this season.
As improved as this roster is in 2026, there are still plenty of spots that can be improved before the trade deadline this season.
PFF recently shared 15 trade candidates ahead of the deadline, and the Bengals were listed as possible fits for
a few names.
The first name is Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner Zyon McCollum, a name that has fallen down the CB rankings recently.
“McCollum enjoyed a tremendous start to the 2024 season, but since then, his production has certainly waned. Over the first four games of 2026, McCollum sports just a 58.3 PFF coverage grade, although his passer rating against (80.4) and forced incompletion rate (13.3%) are both in at least the 60th percentile.
“In the first year of a three-year, $48 million extension, McCollum is another defender the Buccaneers could look to shed. The Steelers could reunite McCollum with Jamel Dean after trading away Porter, while the Lions urgently need more talent in their secondary. The Bears and Bengals could also make particular sense given McCollum’s superior man coverage work (69.4 PFF coverage grade) and their higher rates of utilizing the look, although McCollum was actually better in zone in 2024 and 2025. Raiders general manager John Spytek may make some calls to his former organization, too.”
Another name the Bengals are listed as possible fits for is New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens.
“Stephens has become an effective cornerback since joining the Jets last offseason. Since the start of 2025, his 70.2 overall PFF grade ranks 14th out of 40 qualified corners. Stephens has also tightened up his coverage this year, with his 74.4 PFF coverage mark the ninth-highest at the position.
“How much the 1-3 Jets will sell is unknown, but general manager Darren Mougey always seems open for business. Given that Stephens is a 2028 free agent and the team drafted D’Angelo Ponds in the second round, a trade may not be that implausible. Pittsburgh and Detroit could have interest given their needs, while Stephens’ 88.7 man coverage grade would be enticing to Chicago and Cincinnati.”
Although it is unlikely for the Bengals to make a trade for a defensive player during the season based on their history, the defense could use a veteran linebacker, as well as some secondary help.
What do you think about these names as potential trade options for the Bengals? Let us know in the comments section!
