5 players the Cincinnati Bengals should trade before the deadline

1. WR A.J. Green

Despite the convenient interpretation of what he appeared to be saying to someone on the sideline in Week 5, Green has said he does not want to be traded. His franchise tag numbers ($17.9 million salary, 18.171 million cap number) naturally narrow the market anyway. To say nothing of any hesitation the Bengals might have to move him, smartly or not.

Green struggled to connect with Joe Burrow early in the season (eight catches on 22 targets in the first two games), then Tee Higgins emerged to reduce his role. After missing all of least season with an an ankle injury, he had to knock off some rust too. But the seven-time Pro Bowler is coming off his best outing of the season in Week 6 (eight receptions for 96 yards on 11 targets).

Green ‘s future in Cincinnati feels clear, as he’ll surely land elsewhere as a free agent next offseason with little effort from the Bengals to keep him. If teams with an eye on a Super Bowl run this year come calling, if they haven’t been already, it would be negligent for Cincinnati to turn them away.

If Green has another good game or two between now and the deadline, there may be a sell-high opportunity on him that simply can’t be disregarded by the Bengals’ front office.