Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (LB25) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

New Browns Trade Buzz Opens Door to Bengals Draft Day Blockbuster

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Zach Pressnell | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 5:43 PM ET

Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports recently reported that the Cleveland Browns are open to trading down from pick No. 6 in the 2026 NFL Draft in order to target offensive tackle Spencer Fano.

"With the top of the NFL Draft board dominated by quarterback talk, league sources indicate the Cleveland Browns are quietly open for business, potentially trading down to target a foundational offensive tackle," Pauline wrote. "The Detroit Lions have a hole at left tackle, and sources believe they’ve zeroed in on Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. But the Cleveland Browns’ interest in a similar player, Spencer Fano, could force Detroit’s hand earlier than they’d like."

Could this idea open up the door to the Cincinnati Bengals trading up from pick No. 10 to land a prospect they desperately want?

Bengals Could Pursue Unlikely Trade With Browns

David Reginek-Imagn Images

The fact that the Browns are very open to trading down will certainly open the door for the Bengals to make a trade up. Trading up could be exactly what Cincinnati needs, as it could target players like Sonny Styles, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain Jr. higher in the first round. One of these three players seems bound to be on the board at pick No. 6, but they're all expected to be gone by pick No. 10.

But the idea of trading with a division rival like this seems unlikely. While intra-divisional trades happen, it's hard to imagine the Browns giving the Bengals the chance to trade up and land a star like Bailey during the draft. That would be a tough pill to swallow if the player the Bengals select turns out to be a superstar.

But that shouldn't end the Bengals hopes of trading up, if that's something they want to do.

Bengals Could Trade Up With A Different Team Instead

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cincinnati could explore trading up with teams like the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders.

At the end of the day, it's about getting the Bengals the star player on defense that they desperately need. If Bailey falls much further than pick No. 4, the Bengals should be doing everything in their power to trade up. If Styles falls beyond pick No. 6, the Bengals should be looking to make a move.

The worst case scenario for the Bengals is seeing players like Bailey, Styles, Bain, Caleb Downs, Jeremiyah Love, Arvell Reese, and others gone by pick No. 10, forcing them to reach on somebody like Keldric Faulk.

They can avoid this by trading up, if possible.

This article first appeared on Cincinnati Bengals on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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