The Cincinnati Bengals have one rookie seemingly set among the starting five on the offensive line in guard Dylan Fairchild. Based on reports this week, another rookie is working his way into the two-deep on the interior offensive line as well.
Fifth-round rookie Jalen Rivers has been getting work this week as the second-team right guard as the Bengals look for the best spot for him on the line. He’s listed as a tackle on the Bengals’ official website and as the backup right tackle behind Amarius Mims. But he’s always been known for his versatility and always had the ability to kick inside if need be. Rivers played 11 career games at left guard at Miami and took snaps at center at the Senior Bowl. And the Bengals need all the help they can get inside.
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Guard may have always been his best fit at the NFL level to begin with. He’s now getting the opportunity to showcase that for the Bengals. Lucas Patrick is penciled in as the starter at right guard with Cody Ford also in the mix, but there’s nothing stopping the Bengals from putting a second rookie in front of quarterback Joe Burrow if Rivers shows flashes of dominance, as he did with the Hurricanes. He can be a bully in the run game and his long 34 7/8-inch arms help tremendously.
Rivers is climbing up the boards in Cincinnati and could put himself in position to be a key reserve along the offensive line.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals rookie Jalen Rivers working as second-team OL in practice
Reporting by Billy Riccette, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
