The Cincinnati Bengals Need To Explore Trading AJ Green

Regardless of tonight's outcome in their game against the Houston Texans, the Cincinnati Bengals are clearly heading for another down season. Last year's 6-10 record may just a blip in what has been a fabulous run for Head Coach Marvin Lewis and the team, but it's most likely the harbinger of an impending rebuild.  If that happens, say goodbye to Coach Lewis and many other key pieces to the team.

The season could not have started off any worse last week for the Bengals than losing to BALTIMORE 20-0. BALTIMORE!!!  Now, this won't look so bad if the Ravens end up winning the division and going far in the playoffs. However, the more likely scenario is that the Bengals struggle to win 7 or 8 games this season. That will become very evident by October and before Thanksgiving the massive rebuild will have already begun.

http://www.spotrac.com/assets/images/original/USATSI_8211486_160074578_lowres1.jpg

Outside of a coaching/general manager change, the Bengals need to look at how they can accumulate draft picks and more young talent. How to do that most effectively?

Trade AJ Green before the trade deadline arrives on October 31.             .

Of all the weapons (offensive and defensive) that Cincinnati possess, none will bring more in a trade than the All-Pro wide receiver, especially if he manages to continue his consistent play over the next few months.  He should garner at least one first-round draft pick as well as additional picks and perhaps some defensive help.  Trading quarterback Andy Dalton won't bring in nearly as much, and you'd rather keep a decent, experienced quarterback to help in the rebuild.

Who would trade for Green?  I can see the most likely options being the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and the Seattle Seahawks.  Jerry Jones in Dallas would love to add another huge wide receiver and may be looking to give his team another boost heading into a Super Bowl run. Atlanta has just one real receiver threat, and it's possible that Julio Jones could be injured (as he often seems to be). The Seahawks' struggles with their offensive line have been well-documented over the past few years. Adding a serious deep threat with Green would take the pressure off of that line and give Russell Wilson a chance to really air it out.

Green has been a fantastic player for the Bengals, but since it is likely that they aren't going to be Super Bowl contenders in the foreseeable future, they need to get what they can while they can.