The Cincinnati Bengals don't have many top trade candidates as the NFL draft approaches.
But the biggest name is huge.
The standoff between the Bengals and star defensive end Trey Hendrickson got messier and quite a bit more public just last week. While the contract saga doesn't have a deadline, the draft's approach is a landmark worth watching.
As such, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano just named Hendrickson as Cincinnati's top trade candidate entering the draft:
"Hendrickson requested a trade to force the issue, and was granted permission to seek one. But so far nothing has happened, and the Bengals haven't given up hope. Getting the right trade offer during the draft, though, could be their breaking point on the stalemate. He might be the betting favorite to be moved in the next few weeks."
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Again, the Bengals want to get something done with Hendrickson after his permission to seek a trade didn't work. There's little reason to think the team lowers the asking price during the draft, making it easier for another team to trade for him, then pay him $30-plus million per year on a new deal.
Even if the Bengals take a Round 1 pass-rusher, uncertainty about names like Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai will make it hard for the team to get more comfortable with moving the NFL's sack leader.
All that said, Hendrickson is the only big name worth mentioning as a trade candidate for the Bengals, as teams don't figure to want to pay up for Germaine Pratt's contract despite his trade request.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Trey Hendrickson tabbed as Bengals trade candidate during draft
