The Cincinnati Bengals knocked out most of their really obvious needs this offseason.
In fact, one could argue that the linebacker spot is the biggest remaining need that could pop up as a problem. Despite all of the aggressive win-now moves, the Bengals didn’t do anything to upgrade on the Oren Burks-led depth behind Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter, the two second-year guys they’re all-in with at the spot.
But there’s another problem perhaps lurking just below the surface: Offensive line depth.
The Bengals might return the same starting five players for the first time in the Zac Taylor era, sure. That’s a strength. But the depth behind those guys is suspect.
Cody Ford, for example, is back as the main swing tackle backup to Orlando Brown and Amairus Mims, but he’s back on a pay cut after never seizing a guard job.
Rookie Brian Parker is a guard who was a sixth-round pick. Fellow rookie Connor Lew was hyped as a steal, but he was only a steal because he fell while recovering from an ACL tear. He should be the backup center behind Ted Karras, but the medical side of things continues to be a factor.
All that is to say that it wouldn’t be a shocker if the Bengals got a little active in free agency or on the waiver wire, at the least, during training camp. It should go without saying, but proper protection in front of Joe Burrow is a must.
Granted, line depth is a major problem around the NFL. The Bengals, at least, have the starting five locked down. But more of a win-now bit of depth behind those five would be ideal, too.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: 1 quiet need could emerge for Bengals during training camp
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Roling, Bengals Wire | USA TODAY Network
