The Cincinnati Bengals are 5-2 as they prepare for their Week 9 game in Madrid, Spain, against the 3-5 Atlanta Falcons. They’re riding a two-game win streak, though the wins were ugly at times, and are very much in the mix to make a run at the AFC North title to host a playoff game for the first time since 2023.
Things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows, though. The Bengals are dealing with some injuries, and many analysts believe they’re aggressively pursuing an acquisition to help the team make a run.
Considering they already traded the No. 10 overall selection in this year’s draft to the Giants for Dexter Lawrence, a rare mid-season trade from the Bengals would likely blow the collective minds of fans across the globe.
Here are some of the players the Bengals could benefit from, in order from top to bottom on the list:
No. 2: Jonathan Taylor, RB Colts
Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league and has been for some time. Since he was drafted in 2020, Taylor has more scrimmage yards than all RBs except for Derrick Henry. He is the type of explosive player who could change an offense. After firing GM Chris Ballard, the Colts should be considering all options, including a full tear-down and rebuild. Taylor signed a two-year extension with the Colts in August. Indianapolis would take on $10 million in dead money in 2027 if it traded Taylor, so the contract is not preventive.
This would have made sense a couple of weeks ago, but there are issues in the secondary that can’t be ignored. Still, the Bengals do need to figure out how to fix their running game, because they’ll need it in December and January.
No. 9: Josh Downs, WR Colts
Downs is in the final year of his rookie deal, and he has developed into one of the better route runners in the league. He is predominantly a slot player, aligning inside on more than 74 percent of his career offensive snaps. The Colts signed receiver Alec Pierce to a four-year, $114 million extension in the offseason. Pierce has played 49 snaps this season while battling injuries. Downs is good, cheap and on an expiring deal. He would be a potentially valuable trade piece if interim GM Ed Dodds is tasked with bolstering the draft cupboard.
Do the Bengals really need a wide receiver? No. But Downs could fit in nicely. He’s a true slot receiver, and he would immediately be the Bengals’ WR3, which is a spot currently held by TE1 Mike Gesicki. With some injuries at wide receiver, including to Andrei Iosivas, and the relative inexperience of everyone else, adding another talented receiver wouldn’t hurt.
No. 11: Amani Hooker, Safety Titans
Though Hooker is under contract through 2028, he does not have any fully guaranteed money on his deal after this season. He is a versatile safety who can fulfill multiple responsibilities — post safety, split-field safety, nickel, dime, underneath zone and man-to-man on tight ends and slot receivers. He is a strong tackler who can impact in the running game, and he has the instincts in zone coverage to feel routes and bait quarterbacks into throws. The Titans would take on $8.6 million in dead money in 2027 if they traded Hooker.
How crazy would it be for Hooking to pick Joe Burrow off three times in Week 8 just to join him a couple of weeks later? The Bengals have dealt with injuries at safety. Bryan Cook has missed a couple of games, as has Kyle Dugger, and Jordan Battle has been hit or miss (mostly miss). A trade for Hooker could shore up the secondary.
No. 18: Amik Robertson, CB Commanders
Robertson signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Commanders in free agency. He has been one of the few bright spots from Peters’ offseason. Robertson does not have any fully guaranteed money on his deal in 2027. The Commanders would take on $3 million in dead money in 2027 if they trade him before the deadline. Robertson is a capable man coverage corner who could help a number of teams in the secondary. He can play inside and outside.
Here’s really where the Bengals need some help, especially if DJ Turner is forced to miss some time. The cornerback position was pretty much an afterthought this offseason, and now they’re potentially going to pay the piper for it. If the Bengals do make a move, I predict it will be for a corner.
No. 26: Riq Woolen, CB Eagles
Woolen won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks last season. He then hit free agency and, rather surprisingly, a market did not materialize for him. Woolen ended up signing a one-year deal with the Eagles. Although he has given up two touchdowns, Woolen has played well in coverage down-to-down for Philadelphia. He was in tight coverage on the Parker Washington one-handed touchdown in the Eagles’ loss to the Jaguars in Week 5. The combination of size and speed will always make Woolen an intriguing piece.
Another possibility at corner. He could join Boye Mafe, whom he won a Super Bowl with in Seattle. He could fill in for a starter on the outside should the need arise. That way the Bengals wouldn’t be forced to rely on Josh Newton, who reportedly spent much of the offseason in the doghouse.
No. 28: Donte Jackson, CB Chargers
Jackson is in the final year of a two-year free-agent deal he signed in 2025. He has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury. Jackson is one of the most compelling defensive backs on this list. He is on an expiring deal. He is relatively cheap, so he is an option for teams tight against the cap. And he is an experienced veteran who can acclimate quickly to a variety of schemes, though a zone-heavy scheme would be the best fit. Jackson has 23 career interceptions, tied for fifth-most among active players.
Same thing here. The Bengals could definitely use some help in the cornerback room. Even if Turner’s heel injury allows him to play this weekend, will it limit him? He’s required to be able to stay hip to hip with some of the best athletes in the world. If his foot hurts, will he be able to?
No. 40: Nahshon Wright, CB Jets
The Jets signed Wright to a one-year deal in free agency, and he has yet to play a defensive snap this season for coach Aaron Glenn. Wright should be a trade candidate even if the Jets win games over the next three weeks. He had five picks playing for the Chicago Bears in 2025. Wright lacks some burst and change-of-direction ability. But his ball production last season was very impressive. At 6-foot-4, he has receiver-like skills in 50-50 situations.
The Bengals were actually listed as one of the best fits for Wright, who had a good 2025 season but is struggling to get on the field this year. He could be had for little and potentially make a major impact for Al Golden’s secondary.
No. 48: Tony Pollard, RB Titans
Pollard, who signed with the Titans in free agency in 2024, is on an expiring contract. He has been getting the bulk of the work in the Tennessee backfield over Spears. Pollard is a veteran doubles hitter with some vision. He is reliable in pass protection. Pollard has the potential to be a supplemental piece in a running back rotation.
Pollard carried the ball 21 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals in Week 8. He might not be as flashy as Taylor or Saquon Barkley, but he would probably help. At least more than Tahj Brooks.
There were obviously others, but these were just some that caught my eye.
What trade targets from the list (and not on the list) are you most interested in for the Bengals before the Nov. 10 deadline?
