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NFL Trade Deadline 2018: One deal each team should make

By Martin McConnell

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates an interception by teammate Antoine Bethea #41 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates an interception by teammate Antoine Bethea #41 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 12: Linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field before the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 12: Linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field before the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals: Get younger defensively

The Cincinnati Bengals are an interesting team. They heated up early in a major way and led the AFC North throughout September. But, ever since their deflating, last-second loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, they just haven’t been able get it going again. Losing Tyler Eifert to injury once again probably hasn’t helped, considering the Notre Dame product is one of Andy Dalton’s favorite targets at tight end.

But alas, the main reason they lost that game to the Steelers is their lack of young, explosive players at linebacker. Despite having the names on defense, like Malik Jefferson an Vontaze Burfict, the Bengals just aren’t cutting it right now on the defense’s second line.

The Bengals can get younger, faster, and better at linebacker in one of two ways. Either they can trade for one, or trade away current pieces in hopes of landing on in the draft next year. Let’s examine both of those.

Haason Reddick is very clearly up for grabs, and would be a nice piece for the Bengals should they choose to be the highest bidder for the current Cardinal. On the other side of the coin, the Bengals could afford to part ways with one of their current pieces to try out someone new on defense. Whether or not they actually chase a linebacker in the draft, however, could be a different story.

Right now, Reddick is looking like the best choice for Cincinnati’s linebacker woes. They could use an offensive lineman on the interior as well, but their defense is really hurting for youth. Get Reddick now while you still can, as the Cardinals linebacker holds a ton of promise.

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