After dropping each of their first two games, the Cincinnati Bengals have rallied with victories in three of their last four to move back to .500.

The Bengals are finally looking every bit like the Super Bowl contender that many expected, outscoring opponents 51-33 during their mini two-game winning streak. After their Week 7 bye, the Bengals will travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

De facto GM Duke Tobin and head coach Zac Taylor have had plenty of time now to evaluate the roster and its needs leading up to the Oct. 31 trade deadline. If there’s one weakness that must be addressed, it’s the defensive line.

Fortunately for Cincinnati, there shouldn’t be a shortage of standout pass-rushers available via trade. That said, their main target should be Minnesota Vikings’ Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter.

The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract and seems poised for free agency after the Vikings refused to give him a contract extension. At 2-4, Minnesota is out of the playoff race and should be a hot trade deadline seller.

With Hunter on an expiring contract, the Bengals should be able to get Hunter for a conditional 2024 fourth-round draft pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. The condition could be that if the Bengals make the playoffs and/or if Hunter re-signs with Cincy, the 2024 fourth-rounder becomes a third-round pick.

Hunter and T.J. Watt lead the NFL in sacks with eight apiece. The former has hit double-digit sacks in four different seasons, and he would undoubtedly bolster the Bengals’ chances of getting through a loaded AFC that features its fair share of elite quarterbacks.