5 RB Trade Targets For Cincinnati

By Alex Schubert on October 27, 2023

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As it stands right now, the Bengals have the NFL’s worst rushing offense. They have the fewest rushing attempts (121) and yards (419) in the 2023 season through Week 7. Joe Mixon seems to be all by himself in the Bengals backfield, as he has accounted for 87.35% of all of the Bengals rushing yards.

As the October 31st trade deadline approaches, even though the Bengals are notoriously inactive at the trade deadline, here are five potential trade targets that the Bengals could pursue.

Antonio Gibson

I still want to save Antonio Gibson. We can fix him. https://t.co/xY0jfQTKTT

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 19, 2023

Only two seasons removed from rushing for over 1,000 yards, Gibson, who was Washington’s third round pick in 2020, has found himself second on the depth chart to Brian Robinson Jr. He hasn’t produced much as a rusher this season (18 rushes, 76 yards thus far).

However, he’s still a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. He has 15 receptions and has averaged over 10 yards per catch on the season with one touchdown. He has averaged 44 receptions over the past two seasons and has found paydirt five times.

He has also not fumbled once since 2021.

Rashaad Penny

The Philadelphia Eagles have an unreasonably crowded backfield. D’Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott have all found themselves ahead of the Seahawks’ 2018 first round pick in the pecking order. Combine that with the fact that Jalen Hurts will get his fair share of carries and designed runs, and you get a talented running back that has three carries on the entire season.

Penny had a breakout 2021 where he had 749 yards in only ten games, in addition to the most yards per carry among qualified running backs. He was on his way to following up that campaign until he broke his fibula in Week 5 and was forced to sit out the remainder of the season.

He doesn’t offer much in the receiving aspect, but his big play ability as a rusher could make him a welcome change-of-pace back in Cincinnati.

Matt Breida

Saquon Barkley has already stated that he has no desire to leave New York, but even then, the Giants still find themselves in a rebuild. Breida, who has played for four teams since 2019, has been a solid change of pace running back everywhere he’s gone. He’s averaged a modest 4.8 yards per carry in his career. In Saquon’s absence early in the 2023 season, Breida took over the starting role where he had a modest performance, including a game in Seattle where he handled the bulk of the carries (14) and had 48 yards receiving on five receptions

While he has only averaged 2.7 yards per carry on the season, the Giants have been cursed with an indescribably bad offensive line, the lowest scoring offense in the NFL, and the worst point differential in the NFL.

Samaje Perine

Why not?

He’s familiar with the system, he won’t cost much, and he was the perfect complement to Joe Mixon, his former college teammate at Oklahoma, last season.

Perine, who left for Denver under the belief that he’d get more playing time, has now found himself third on the depth chart behind Javonte Williams and up-and-comer Jaleel McLaughlin. While he has yet to find the end zone in 2023, he has been a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield. He has 2, 3, or 4 receptions in every game this season, and even broke out for 73 receiving yards against the Jets in Week 5.

Samaje Perine breaking tackles on his way to a first down 💪pic.twitter.com/H5wFiU3QXz

— Broncos Country (@BroncoCountryCP) October 22, 2023

Dalvin Cook

Again, why not?

Cook, frustrated with his limited role in the Jets’ system as Breece Hall has dominated touches, has requested a trade. While he would be an expensive piece to the offense, his production is undeniable. In every season since 2019, he’s eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards and has been selected to the Pro Bowl. He also has no fewer than 49 receptions every year since 2018.

This year, however, he has been limited to only 109 rushing yards and has yet to find the end zone due to the emergence of Breece Hall.

#Jets RB Dalvin Cook says “I want to play” and “I want the situation to be best for both sides.”

“Of course it’s frustrating,” his current role.

It doesn’t sound like he’s ok with usage. He expected it to be a split between him & Breece Hall. Instead, he’s been fazed out. pic.twitter.com/mOVM3uzzh3

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 26, 2023

It does not take away from the fact that he’s been one of the NFL’s premiere running backs over the last five years, and his desire for a fresh start is certainly understandable.

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