Instant Analysis: What Could Bengals Get in Potential Jonah Williams Trade?

The 25-year-old officially asked for a trade on Friday.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Mar 17, 2023 12:45 PM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — Bengals offensive lineman Jonah Williams officially asked for a trade on Friday morning.

The request comes less than two days after Cincinnati agreed to sign Orlando Brown Jr. to a 4-year, $64 million contract. Brown will play left tackle for the Bengals.

The team planned on moving Williams to right tackle, but the 25-year-old declined and put in a trade request.

Here are some thoughts on Williams' value and what the Bengals could potentially get in a trade:

What's His Value?

Oct 31, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams (73) blocks against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports — Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Williams is only 25-years-old. He's a former first-round pick and was a solid player for the Bengals in 2021. Unfortunately, he didn't take the step many in the building thought he would take last season.

To his credit, he played through a dislocated kneecap, which impacted his performance.

Williams' injury history and contract situation could keep the Bengals from fetching much in a trade.

He's set to make $12.6 million this season after Cincinnati exercised the fifth-year option on him last offseason. The move made sense at the time, but there might not be many teams willing to take on nearly $13 million fully guaranteed for a left tackle that struggled last season.

Best Option

Jonah Williams, La'el Collins — USA Today Images

We've seen the Bengals balk at star players' trade requests in the past. From Carson Palmer to Chad Johnson, Mike Brown isn't going to give Williams away.

In fact, the former first rounder is arguably the Bengals' best option at right tackle—at least for now.

La'el Collins is recovering from a torn ACL and might not be ready for the start of the season. The team signed Cody Ford, but he's far from a sure thing. Guys like Hakeem Adeniji and Jackson Carman are depth pieces.

Williams making the switch to right tackle for the 2023 season made sense for the Bengals. If teams aren't willing to offer anything of value for him, the team could keep him around.

He's not going to skip the season and miss out on $12.6 million. It may be uncomfortable, but the Bengals have won these stare downs with players far better than Williams in the past.

Final Verdict

Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Jonah Williams reacts after being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the No. 11 pick during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft in downtown Nashville. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Trading Williams would open up $12.6 million in cap space. That's the Bengals' biggest incentive to moving him sooner rather than later.

That room could help them add a veteran tight end, safety or running back in free agency. They could use some of that cap space to extend Joe Burrow or Tee Higgins.

I think teams will balk at the idea of giving up a day two draft pick for Williams.

The best case scenario for the Bengals is landing an early fourth round pick in a potential deal, but a fifth or sixth rounder is more likely—especially if they want it to be in this year's draft.

They may get a conditional fourth rounder that could become a third rounder in 2024, based on Williams' playing time, performance, etc.

Bottom Line

The Bengals aren't going to get much for him, but moving him quickly to free up cap space to sign other free agents makes sense.

If they hold onto him past the draft, then there's a chance they keep him and make him play out the final year of his contract.

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