Bengals Now Exploring Trades Down From No. 33

Update:

Albert Breer of SI.com reports that the Bengals are actively exploring trading down from No. 33 overall, even though there are a few players they like.

Reports have said that the Jets, Saints, Jaguars and Broncos are among the teams who could be looking to trade up in the early part of round two. 

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Baylor WR Denzel Mims and TCU DT Ross Blacklock are among the players the Bengals are considering at No. 33 overall.

Every year there’s a lot of buzz and speculation about who the team with the first pick in round two may be targeting, but both receiver and defensive tackle would make some sense for Cincinnati. 

Mims, 22, was a three-year starter at Baylor and a first-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior. He had a great combine showing and is now in position to hear his name called in the first or second round.

Dane Brugler has Mims rated as his No. 35 overall prospect. 

Lance Zierlein compares Mims to Saints WR Tre-Quan Smith.

During his four-year college career at Baylor, Mims caught 186 passes for 2,925 yards receiving and 28 touchdowns over the course of 40 games.

Blacklock, 21, was a two-year starter at TCU and a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2019. He’s considered by many draft evaluators to be one of the best interior defensive line prospects in this year’s draft and had drawn some first-round buzz throughout the process.

Lance Zierlein compares Blacklock to B.J. Hill.

During his college career at TCU, Blacklock appeared in 39 games and recorded 67 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. 

We’ll have more regarding the Bengals as the news is available.