Realistic Draft Trade Possibilities for the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals don't get a lot of credit as draft-day negotiators. 

It's a fair assessment considering owner Mike Brown prefers not to move up in the first round to grab a prospect the staff likes. At the same time, though, the Bengals have proven savvy in recent years by moving down in the first round, as they did in 2012 and still drafted Kevin Zeitler.

The Bengals move up when they see a player they like, too. Head coach Marvin Lewis and Co. did last year in the mid-rounds to nab center Russell Bodine.

When it comes to the 2015 NFL draft, the opportunities are endless for the Bengals. The roster doesn't feature one glaring hole the staff must address. Even better, the team has two compensatory selections, giving them four picks in the top 100.

There's not a lot of extra room for rookies to make the final roster, which lends to the notion the Bengals might be active on draft day. Within, let's take a look at a few realistic draft scenarios for the Bengals based on different factors.

Bengals Trade No. 21, No. 85 and Future Picks to Rams for No. 10

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams know a thing or two about draft-day trades in the first round.

In fact, coach Jeff Fisher and the organization seem to be one of the most active teams in the first round each year, something the Cincinnati Bengals may look to capitalize on this time.

The Rams don't have a ton of needs and are an obvious trade-down target because they can grab a must-have prospect in the 20s just as they could in the top 10.

This, of course, relies on the Bengals wanting to move up. It seems unlikely, but perhaps this is the year the front office gets aggressive and guns after a high-profile prospect such as wideout DeVante Parker out of Louisville or Kentucky edge-rusher Bud Dupree.

Cincinnati has the ammunition to pull off such a move. The roster is deep to a point where not all draft picks will make the final cut anyway, so the staff might see the light and move up to get a can't-miss name.

Bengals Trade Down from No. 21 for Additional Day 2 Picks

More likely is that the Cincinnati Bengals try to trade out of No. 21.

Again, the Bengals don't have many glaring needs, if any, when viewing it through a short-term lens. In such a deep draft, the front office may be content to move down in the first round, if not out of it, to pick up as many prospects as possible and future-proof the roster. 

One scenario to think about is with the Dallas Cowboys, owners of the No. 27 pick. If Jerry Jones and Co. want to make an impact and someone such as Georgia's Todd Gurley takes a tumble, it's a safe bet the Bengals may be willing to move down.

Ditto if a rebuilding franchise, such as the New York Jets, wants to jump from the top of Round 2 to No. 21 to secure a quarterback it feels won't drop to it. Cincinnati wouldn't mind picking up extra pieces for the future in such a scenario.

Either way, the Bengals are a trade-down candidate in the first round. It's not the sexy or entertaining move, but picking up additional second- and third-round picks will help the roster years down the line.

Bengals Trade Up from No. 53 to Grab Falling Wideout

Then again, the stunning depth of the 2015 draft class could entice the Cincinnati Bengals to shoot up in the second round.

Wide receiver is a particular sticking point in this scenario. Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker won't take a tumble by any means, but how many at the position can go in the first round?

If a Dorial Green-Beckham, Nelson Agholor or Phillip Dorsett falls to the second, the Bengals may want to strike a deal with a team higher up in the round to move up and get their guy.

The St. Louis Rams once again come to mind, and jumping up a tad more than 10 spots won't cost the Bengals an arm and a leg. Even if it's something as simple as moving up five or six spots to get a receiver the staff likes, the cost won't outweigh the eventual benefit—just look at how injuries and an inability to create separation last year doomed the offense when it mattered.

No matter how it happens, it would be hard to find fault with the Bengals for moving up if a deep class pushes first-round talent down the board.

Bengals Trade Up in Mid-Rounds to Grab Help in the Trenches

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Remember the reference to Russell Bodine?

Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals shipped away No. 123 and No. 199 to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for No. 111. In the end, it worked out considering Bodine was the starter last year and there was no guarantee the fourth- or sixth-round picks would make the roster, anyway.

Cincinnati could pull off a similar move this year.

Perhaps the coaching staff likes a mid-round tackle such as Cedric Ogbuehi, but a run on the position forces the team's hand. If the team doesn't grab a defensive tackle early, similar feelings and resulting actions may apply for mid-round names such as Gabe Wright and Bobby Richardson.

No matter the end target, the Bengals moving up and sacrificing a pair of picks for a value in free fall makes too much sense from every standpoint. It worked well last year, and it might again this time around.

Bengals Trade Up in Mid-Rounds to Grab Tight End

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It's no secret the Cincinnati Bengals may want to make an addition at tight end during the draft thanks to the departure of Jermaine Gresham this past offseason.

Granted, Gresham could still return to the Queen City, but the Bengals may find it easier to start over behind Tyler Eifert.

Barring a selection at the position early, the Bengals might want to package a few mid-round picks and move up into the third round again for a prospect such as Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman.

Really, with two third-round picks and two fourth-round picks, the front office could even look to jump back into the second round if it means scooping up a faller such as Clive Walford.

Tight end is one of the more important positions in Cincinnati based on scheme and the quarterback under center. Offering up a pair of picks to secure a guy the Bengals like could make all the difference next season.

Bengals Trade Away Defensive Lineman for Depth Elsewhere

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals have a ton of depth up front and only figure to make more additions via the draft. 

Look at defensive end, which features five names. The coaching staff may want to get younger players Margus Hunt or Will Clarke more snaps next season, so someone such as Wallace Gilberry could be a trade candidate.

Defensive tackle is even more convoluted. Geno Atkins, Domata Peko and Pat Sims figure to make up the starting rotation, but Devon Still, Brandon Thompson and Kwame Geathers are also on the roster. 

Yet Cincinnati may use an early pick on a top-tier tackle prospect or edge-rusher who can line up across the unit. 

Sure, the Bengals could just cut one of the veterans or odd men out, but why not ship one away during the draft to a team in need? Maybe the Bengals gain additional depth at another position or, even better, gain additional picks next year? 

It's always better to get something in return for a departure, no matter how minimal, so if the coaching staff has an inkling as to who won't make the roster anyway, the draft is a good time to swing a deal and secure future assets. 

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of April 27 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.