The Bengals traded the 110th and 199th picks to the Jets on Friday for the 128th and 140th selections, a move that slid Cincinnati down 18 spots in the fourth round but gave it a better position later in the day.
Aaron Wilson first reported the terms of the bengals trade, which also moved the Bengals up from pick 199 to No. 140 overall. After the deal, Cincinnati had two fourth-round picks, one sixth-round pick and two seventh-round picks, with five selections still on Day 3: 128, 140, 189, 221 and 226.
The move came with the Bengals still carrying several needs into the middle rounds. Wide receiver, offensive line and cornerback were all in play for Cincinnati, while linebacker remained a major need. The team had entered the trade with two sixth-round picks, and the swap reshaped its board without taking it out of the hunt for help at multiple spots.
Assistant general manager Trey Brown said the Bengals and coaching staff stay in constant communication when they work through those decisions. He said the staff is clear about its vision, that the front office has a strong feel for what a prospect does well and where he needs work, and that the group comes together on how head coach Al and his staff will use the players. Brown added that the organization has full confidence the coaching staff will maximize a player's value and put him in the right spot.
That leaves Cincinnati with more flexibility than it had before the deal, but not much margin for error. The Bengals still need to turn those picks into immediate help, and the way they use the 128th and 140th selections should tell the rest of the league which of those needs they are ready to attack first.
