Trade Back with HOU Mock

[*ochocincos*]

After what I consider a lackluster haul of outside FAs to improve the 2025 team, this team could use some extra early-round draft picks.
So I started to think if Bengals have a certain guy/position in mind and don't want to reach at 17, who could trade back with them, and why would they trade up?

HOU has Stroud under rookie contract for 3 more years and have a really good team around them, but they just traded away Tunsil.
They showed in FA they want to bolster the OL to help the offense, but they still could use an OT.
A lot of mocks I've been seeing has Membou, Campbell, and Banks going before 17.
I also see multiple mocks having them select Josh Simmons, but some other mocks have Simmons going earlier than 25 when they pick.

To the mock!

HOU trades their 1st round pick (25th), 3rd round pick (89th), and 4th round pick (127th) for CIN's 1st round pick (17th).
Trade value chart, this ends up coming out to 992 pts vs 950 pts, so pretty close trade.

HOU picks Josh Simmons at 17 to ensure they get a good, consistent OT who can play either OT spot, not risking him being taken in the 20-24 range before they pick. Simmons is recovering from injury, but he will likely be back early in the season if not by the start of the season. HOU gets their new LT to block Stroud's blindside.

1-HOU) Donovan Jackson, OL Ohio St - Bengals get a new stud starting OG who can also help cover OT if/when needed.

2) Xavier Watts, SAF Notre Dame - Golden gets his ball hawking safety from his college team, greatly upgrading the DB turnover potential.

3) Kyle Kennard, DE South Carolina - Already mentioned this guy before in another mock. Won't mention much more other than upgrade to the DE room and especially the pass rush.

3-HOU) Jacob Parrish, CB Kansas St - Fast corner who can help bolster the CB room after the departure of Mike Hilton. I could see him emerging as the starting nickel CB with his instincts, speed, and ball hawking ability, but he can also play outside. He may get beat occasionally against bigger receivers though.

4) Aeneas Peebles, DT Virginia Tech - Smaller 3T who not only finds many ways to get after the passer but also is surprisingly good against the run.

4-HOU) Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame - Well-rounded TE that will make a quality TE2. Reminds me of Erick All without the injury history.

5) Phil Mafah, RB Clemson - Pure power back who is excellent in short yardage. Definite role player at minimum, comfortable acting as a workhorse back if/when needed.

6) Jay Higgins, LB Iowa - Athletic testing numbers will bring this guy down, but his tape shows a sound, reliable LB that can play 3 downs and be a consistent tackler. Dude has nearly 300 tackles the past two seasons at Iowa.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

Was getting a little worried about pass rush until you got Kennard and Peebles who I both really like for our needs.

People seem to be sleeping on Kennard for some reason, when I watched South Carolina this guy was just a disruptive force and is a
very good pass rusher. Peebles could be a major steal in the 4th. I like the early picks in Donovan Jackson and Xavier Watts a ton as
well, good job Ochocincos.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

I think there is good DE/DT depth this draft. Rd2-4 you can get some help.

Safety & Guard almost have to be early.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(Pst Ocho, Houston doesn't have a 4th round pick. Washington got it in the Tunsil trade.)

[WhoDeyK]

I would be very happy with this. I'm not usually a trade back guy but it is far and away the best option for us in this draft. If we can find a trade partner and accrue a few more picks we could really address the plethora of needs we currently have.

You picked three of my favorite prospects in Watts, Kennard and Peebles. I actually like Watts better than Emmanwori and Starks. I know thats currently an unpopular take but I wouldn't be surprised at all if he ends up being the best Pro out of all 3. His film just oozes instincts and feel for the position that you just cant teach. Having a ball hawk on the back end who you can trust in single high could be game changing for this defense. Theres no way we go into the season with Stone and Battle as the starters if we want to compete. Getting a guy familiar with Al Goldens system is ideal.

Kyle Kennard was one of the first draft prospects that caught my attention this year. I would be thrilled to add him (hopefully) across from Trey Hendrickson. Team leader type who just keeps coming after the QB. He's been overlooked a bit in this loaded DE class but I think he could start over Murphy or Ossai right away. I would be shocked if the Bengals actually drafted Peebles because they get too hung up on measurables but he would be great in a rotation to bring some interior pass rushing juice. His spin move for a DT is fun to watch.

Donovan Jackson would be a solid pick as well. I will never complain about adding a guard who has positional flexibility to play Offensive tackle.