The Bengals don’t have a crisis at cornerback, but with the trade deadline closing in, that spot still looks like one Cincinnati could upgrade if the right deal comes along.
Their secondary has held up well enough, and the defense overall is much improved from where it’s been in past seasons. Still, the cornerback room is more functional than elite. That’s why a short-term addition could make sense if the Bengals want to tighten up the roster for the stretch run.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently floated Cincinnati as a possible landing spot for Philadelphia Eagles starter Riq Woolen in a trade scenario.
"According to The Athletic's Jonathan Jones, some team executives are already wondering whether the Eagles could make Saquon Barkley and Riq Woolen available," Knox wrote. "Philly might not want to part with Barkley, who should be the centerpiece of the offense once he's healthy. However, Woolen would be a very sensible trade chip.
"The Eagles only signed Woolen to a one-year deal, and cornerbacks are typically in demand. Woolen, who has allowed a career opposing passer rating of just 73.8, should draw a reasonable return, even for a short-term rental."
That kind of profile fits what Cincinnati could be after. Woolen would give the Bengals a shutdown-caliber option on a short-term deal, and because he’s a rental, the acquisition cost should be lower than it would be for a player tied to a longer contract.
If the Bengals were to bring him in, Woolen would slot alongside DJ Turner and Dax Hill and give Cincinnati a stronger trio in the secondary. The result, at least on paper, would be a pass defense with top-10 potential.
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