Cincinnati moved down from No. 17 to No. 24 in the 2004 draft…
Cincinnati moved down from No. 17 to No. 24 in the 2004 draft and added cornerback Deltha O'Neal plus the 117th pick, while Denver moved up for linebacker D.J. Williams. Williams became a long-term Broncos starter, but Cincinnati received a Pro Bowl season from O'Neal, 11 years from Robert Geathers, and additional value by later moving pick No. 24. The Bengals' broader package wins a strong trade for both sides.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- player Deltha O'Neal, 2004 1st round pick (24th overall subsequently traded, Steven Jackson ) and 2004 4th round pick (117th overall, Robert Geathers)
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2004 1st round pick (17th overall, D.J. Williams )
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Denver wanted to climb from No. 24 to No. 17 in the 2004 first round and targeted Miami linebacker D.J. Williams. Cincinnati was willing to move down because the Broncos added veteran cornerback Deltha O'Neal and a fourth-round selection. The Bengals therefore gained two extra assets while staying in the first round, creating several chances to outperform the single player Denver selected.
What the Returns Produced
Williams became a major contributor in Denver, spending nine seasons with the Broncos and starting regularly at linebacker. He was a productive player and makes Denver's side a good outcome. Cincinnati received O'Neal, who intercepted 10 passes in 2005, made the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro recognition. The fourth-round pick became Robert Geathers, who played 152 games with 104 starts and recorded 34 sacks during an 11-year Bengals career.
How the Value Developed
Cincinnati also controlled the 24th pick and immediately traded it to the Rams for No. 26 and No. 123. Those choices became Chris Perry and Stacy Andrews. Perry's career was limited by injuries, while Andrews developed into a useful offensive lineman. Even without assigning large value to that secondary move, O'Neal and Geathers alone gave Cincinnati meaningful production at two positions for a long period.
Why This Trade Still Matters
The trade shows why moving down can succeed even when the team moving up drafts a good player. Denver did not miss on Williams. Cincinnati simply created more total value through the combination of a veteran, a productive fourth-rounder and another trade-down opportunity.
Final Verdict
Cincinnati Bengals Win is the best fit. Cincinnati earns an A for the depth and longevity of its return, while Denver earns a B+ because Williams became a quality long-term starter and justified a substantial portion of the move-up cost.