Bengals Training Camp Preview: iOL
Players:
62. Lucas Patrick (G)
67. Cordell Volson (G)
63. Dylan Fairchild (G)
61. Cody Ford (G)
74. Jalen Rivers (G)
60. Jaxson Kirkland (G)
66. Tashawn Manning (G)
64. Ted Karras (C)
65. Matt Lee (C)
68. Seth McLaughlin (C)
The battle at G is probably the biggest camp battle to watch, of the ones that are set to take place later this summer. From top to bottom, this is a position group where nothing is set in stone. Both starting positions are up for grabs, and the competition will feature rookies and veterans. The depth spots will also feature a lot of competition, where versatility is one thing that could give someone a leg up.
Patrick was one of the Bengals’ “high profile” signings during free agency. Yes, I’m using high profile very loosely here. The bigger thing is that he was the only signing at the position during free agency. The veteran has largely been on the fringes of being a depth player or starter. When on the field, he has generally been pretty solid. With Alex Cappa taking such a big step back last season, the Bengals will be hoping that Patrick can provide more consistency at RG, even if he doesn’t really have a high ceiling. His résumé isn’t strong enough to lock him into the starting spot, but he is definitely the favourite.
At LG, the incumbent, Cordell Volson, returns after agreeing to a pay cut (with additional guaranteed money). However, unlike last season, his job is far from guaranteed. Like with Zack Moss, he was a cut candidate, but the team liked him enough to find some middle ground. Perhaps his starting experience will see him enter camp as the starter. With a good performance throughout the rest of the offseason, we could see him retain the job. If not, he may be kept around as a veteran backup who has starting experience. With that being said, even with the additional guarantees tacked onto his deal, it isn’t anything too significant. It is not out of the question that he gets released during final cuts. Everything is on the table.
Rookie 3rd rounder Dylan Fairchild will be one of Volson’s biggest competitors. Going back to my pre-draft scouting report, he is a player with upside, but in my opinion, is not ready to start as a rookie. This would give Volson (and Patrick, if we’re assuming both starting spots are an open competition) another leg up. However, we could see Fairchild make more progress than expected. Or, if he doesn’t, the team may still decide to throw him off the deep end and let him learn on the job, especially if Volson doesn’t look very inspiring himself.
Not to be left out, Ford will be looking to earn his spot in the starting lineup. The veteran has been a backup for the Bengals over the last couple of seasons, and was passable when filling in. I’m certainly open to seeing him considered for the job if he earns it, but in all honesty, I don’t think he is an upgrade over Volson. Volson should have an advantage in a competition for the starting job, but I actually think that Ford is in less danger of being released than Volson is. This is because Ford brings G/OT versatility, which Volson hasn’t shown since his college days. If they were considering the two of them for one depth spot, Ford would have a strong advantage for this reason. You have to wonder if Volson might be in a “start or be cut” situation.
Rivers, another rookie, is the wildcard in all of this. He spent a lot of time at OT in college, but I think he is a much better fit on the inside. Yes, he has the size and the length to play on the outside. However, athleticism is a concern. On the inside, where he can play in a phone booth, his skill set is better suited.
With Fairchild, there is clear development that is needed, which dropped him down in my rankings. As for Rivers, his relative lack of mobility is what concerned me the most. But otherwise, I actually didn’t think he had too many issues. As a later round pick, I’m not sure if he’ll get a fair shot to actually earn a starting spot at G. That being said, I actually think he might be more pro ready than Fairchild, and could make a run for it, if given a legitimate chance in the competition. If not, he is still a lock to make the team, and will likely serve as a versatile depth option.
Kirkland is an interesting one to consider in this battle. He probably isn’t a strong contender to start, but he could still make the team as a backup. This is exactly what he did last year, after a stellar preseason. Unfortunately, he suffered a season ending injury on his first NFL snap. Now, he seems to have been forgotten about. We’ll have to see how he bounces back from the injury, but with a similar performance to last year’s, it will be hard to keep him off the roster.
Manning is the last remaining G on the roster. He isn’t in contention to start, but will be hoping to earn a roster spot after spending last season on the practice squad. Even at a position that is so wide open, the 2023 UDFA likely is sitting at the bottom of the pecking order, so he will have his work cut out for him. A spot on the practice, once again, is likely his best bet to remain in Cincinnati.
In addition to these competitions, it should be noted that some of these players will be involved in the competition for depth spots at OT. Guys like Ford, Rivers, and Kirkland, who have all gotten work at both spots in the past. As we know, versatility is highly valued by this staff, on both sides of the ball, so this is something that definitely will factor into the roster decisions.
As we shift further inside to C, this position will see a lot less commotion than what is expected at G. Ted Karras, a veteran and one of the team’s biggest leaders, will be starting. There is no competition there.
If Seth McLaughlin is healthy enough to compete in training camp, maybe he makes a play for the roster. If not, he could end up on an injury list.
Regardless of what happens with McLaughlin, Matt Lee is likely to be the backup at C. He had a great preseason last year and many, including myself, liked him a lot as a prospect, even before the offseason got going. The team will surely be looking for more development, as they would with any young player. But at this point, there is some hope that he can be the Bengals’ future starter at the position, which will make it a tough competition for McLaughlin, should he be cleared to participate in camp.
RELATED: Bengals Training Camp Preview: OT
