It was apparent that the Cincinnati Bengals had to improve their offensive line last offseason after giving up the third-most sacks in 2021 with 55.

The Bengals pounded the pavement during free agency and signed center Ted Karras and right guard Alex Cappa to three and four-year deals respectively on March 18 and then inked right tackle La'el Collins to a three-year contract two days later.

While at the NFL combine, the Bengals' director of player personnel Duke Tobin had some pretty high praise for how the team's offensive line played in 2022.

"Really pleased with the way the group came together," Tobin said. "We had a long stretch where five guys played and it was effective and it was growing and they were growing together.  

"When we hit the late stages of the playoffs we had some injuries that we had to overcome but that's just a part of NFL football. But I thought the group was gelling well, I think they'll continue to gel."

Collins suffered a torn ACL and MCL against the New England Patriots in Week 16. In the Bengals season finale, Cappa injured his ankle injury and didn't play in the postseason. Karras injured his knee in the Bengals' divisional-round win against the Buffalo Bills but played through it, logging 100% of the team's offensive snaps in the playoffs.

Collins, Cappa, and Karras gave the Bengals a great return on their investment last season as they combined to start 47 of a possible 48 games (the Bengals had their regular game versus the Bills canceled). The three helped the Bengals cut their sacks down to 44, while that's still too many for the Bengals' liking, Rome wasn't built in a day so every little bit counts. 

Assuming Collins is ready to go when the season starts, it'll interesting to see if the Bengals' offensive line can take the next step and allow quarterback Joe Burrow more time to slice up opposing defenses.