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2020 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals trade-up targets

By Branden Peplowski

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – SEPTEMBER 27: Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on September 27, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – SEPTEMBER 27: Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on September 27, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Bengals select DE Yetur Gross-Matos with the 25th pick in the 2020 NFL draft

If the Bengals rather move up for a defensive end it will not cost as much draft capital as moving up for a linebacker. Three draft picks should sweeten the pot for the Vikings to make a trade.

The Vikings have two first-round picks now after shipping out star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills. The Vikings two picks are close together at 22nd and 25th overall that moving one of them and gaining more picks could be ideal.

The Bengals have a few options for defensive ends with this pick, but they land Gross-Matos. There are three potential first-rounders between K’Lavon Chaisson, A.J. Epenesa, and Gross-Matos, but I believe the first two will already be off the board by the time this selection rolls around.

Moving up eight spots will ensure they land the last top defensive end with first round talent and moves them ahead of the Seattle Seahawks who also need defensive end help. I believe Gross-Matos is one of the most underrated defensive ends in football and has great speed to rush the quarterback.

In 2019 Gross-Matos had 9.5 sacks and the season before he had 8 sacks. Hopefully he can bring that pass-rush ability at the next level because I believe he can become an All-Pro player.

Gross-Matos could sit behind Carlos Dunlap for the season should they decide to keep him for 2020. Dunlap would save them almost $6.5 million in cap space if released prior to June 1st. Then that would make Gross-Matos the starter alongside third-year defensive end Sam Hubbard.

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