Bengals Depth Chart Preview: Cincinnati must conclude how to backup its skyscrapers at offensive tackle
An offensive line is only as good as its weakest link, but you won't find that when looking at the Cincinnati Bengals' starting tackles. Tackle play has been a proud tradition for the franchise for the better part of 45 years ever since Anthony Munoz began what many still recall as the greatest career a left tackle […]
An offensive line is only as good as its weakest link, but you won't find that when looking at the Cincinnati Bengals' starting tackles.
Tackle play has been a proud tradition for the franchise for the better part of 45 years ever since Anthony Munoz began what many still recall as the greatest career a left tackle has ever had. Willie Anderson has a case for the same at right tackle. Levi Jones, Andrew Whitworth, you get the point.
The next installment of our Bengals depth chart preview series looks at the current group of tackles led by two starters who literally stand taller than the rest.
Bengals Offensive Tackle Depth Chart
Left Tackle
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Jalen Rivers
- Caleb Etienne
Right Tackle
- Amarius Mims
- Devin Cochran
- Andrew Coker
The starters: Brown Jr., Mims. Excitement for this tandem should be as high as their shared height of 6-8. Brown was having a Pro Bowl-caliber year in 2024 before a knee injury derailed it, and Mims got valuable playing time as a rookie who desperately needed it and still held his own. They're both nimble pass protectors with uncommon size at their disposal who can run edge rushers around the pocket for Joe Burrow to go to work. Very good duo here.
First off the bench: Rivers. A little bit of projection here but Rivers is practicing at tackle this offseason despite his experience playing just as much at guard in college. If Brown were to go down with injury, he'd be the next man up at LT. It may be a different case at RT, but any backup lineman will be repping at multiple spots in case of emergencies. This could also be Cody Ford should be lose the starting battle at right guard, but we'll treat him as a guard for now.
The rest: Cochran saw live action for the first time in his career last year off the practice squad and is back for another year. He filled in at LT but played mostly RT during his college days and has practiced at both spots. Coker joined the practice squad midseason and was elevated to be a backup the same week Cochran saw the field. Etienne rounds out the group as the rookie undrafted free agent.
Who will make the 53-man roster: Brown Jr., Mims, Rivers. I think three is the number for now assuming full health across the board. It helps that Ford is essentially a backup for four positions, so they'll technically have four active options on the roster. If Ford is relegated to backup duties, it'll be interesting to see if he fills in for an injury or if Rivers gets that call first.
Practice squad prediction: Cochran, Etienne. Cochran's experience in the system is worth keeping around, as is Etienne's potential as a rookie. Expect the latter to play a lot in the preseason.
Previous Position Depth Chart Previews
- (7/6) Quarterback
- (7/7) Running back
- (7/8) Wide receiver
- (7/9) Tight end
Orlando Brown Jr. confirms suspicion on how Bengals are managing their two offensive line position battles
“We’ll see how it unfolds.”
