Bengals OTAs Preview: Majority of rookie draft class can turn heads practicing against veterans for the first time
The Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason workout schedule continues with the beginning of Organized Team Activities. These are the players and developments worth keeping tabs on.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason workout schedule progresses at the start of next week with the beginning of Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
OTAs are when teams can start running drills with both the offense and defense on the field at the same time, including 11-on-11 without contact.
Cincinnati has two three-day OTA sessions on the docket for June. It will conduct three practices from June 1-3, and three more from June 9-11. The Bengals will then hold a mandatory minicamp from June 16-18 before taking a month off leading up to training camp.
These are the players and developments worth keeping tabs on as Bengals OTAs begin.
Colbie Young taking advantage of opportunities
The Bengals didn’t target Colbie Young in the 2026 NFL Draft just to be a future contributor. He has a real chance this year to play meaningful snaps alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Chase has been absent from the offseason workout program and is expected to return for mandatory minicamp. While he’s away, Young, a fourth-round pick, is in line to take more reps, potentially with the starters.
Should Young push for Andrei Iosivas’ starting role in the slot, that road truly begins here.
Backup offensive linemen alignments
For once, there’s no confusion regarding which five players are starting on Cincinnati’s offensive line. The names behind Orlando Brown Jr., Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, Dalton Risner, and Amarius Mims, however, are up for debate.
As well as where those names will line up.
Brian Parker II, the Bengals’ sixth-round, can play anywhere. Will he be at guard, or tackle to start with the second-string? Perhaps he’ll snap at center while Connor Lew continues rehabbing his recovering ACL.
Cody Ford figures to rep at tackle, and Jalen Rivers at guard. Will the addition of Parker have those two playing different spots? The first alignments will be noteworthy.
Sneak peak at the defensive line waves
Similarly on the defensive line, pinpointing the main players behind the starting four (or five) will give us an idea of who’s leading the second wave of pass rushers.
Second-rounder Cashius Howell, the only unsigned player in the locker room, figures to be in that group alongside 2024 draft picks Kris Jenkins Jr. and Cedric Johnson. Shemar Stewart is also still in the mix.
Which packages feature both B.J. Hill and Jonathan Allen playing dual 3-techniques? Does Dexter Lawrence line up anywhere else aside from nose tackle?
Cincinnati’s defensive line is once again exciting and full of depth. It’s time to see it, albeit without any contact.