The first of 10 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) for the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals goes down today. The second unofficial day of summer means the real work has now begun.

We're still not quite at the "real" work, but OTAs are a significant part of the offseason plan. Offenses and defenses can finally work against one another as units instead of practicing against air. 

Real football is getting close, and there are questions to be answered. Let's lay out a few as things begin.

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Receivers battle for attention

It would be a complete and total shock for franchise player Tee Higgins to attend any official practice with the Bengals until late August, which means his potential future replacements in the starting lineup will continue to get valuable reps in the offense.

The question is whether rookie Jermaine Burton or last year's sixth-round pick Andrei Iosivas will be the one to stand out more. 

Burton is poised to take snaps immediately as the offense looks to replace Tyler Boyd by committee rather than a true one-for-one swap in the slot. That plan will be a lot clearer once Higgins is back in the fold. In the meantime, this gives him a chance to take some increased snaps on the outside where Higgins lines up.

But Burton is still a rookie getting his feet under him, and this will be his first practices against (very light) coverage. Iosivas has been in the system for a year now, and he may end up being the guy to play for Higgins during his absence. 

The more work either one gets with quarterback Joe Burrow, the better the offense will function with or without Higgins.

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Right tackle rotation?

Cincinnati added two right tackles this offseason who are likely to start at some point this season. Trent Brown is the most experienced veteran on the team in terms of years played, but he wasn't present during offseason workouts leading up to OTAs.

This gave first-round selection Amarius Mims ample reps in his place, which was honestly a best case scenario. The 21-year old's biggest liability coming out of college was a lack of playing time.

Will Brown show up for OTAs? That's the first question, though there's no reason to believe he wouldn't. Once he's here, how will the coaches go about managing him and Mims simultaneously? Brown is the presumed starter, but ensuring Mims gets proper seasoning is also a priority.

How the Bengals will integrate both right tackles into the offense this year begins this week.

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New kickoff rules begin

OTAs also allow special teams units to begin walkthrough practicing the new kickoff format that was approved earlier this offseason. Kickoff specialists are required to land their kicks between the 0-20 yard line of the opposition, and kickoff coverage and return coverage players are to not move until the returner has possession of the ball.

These new rules could change who blocks for the returner, who will be tackling said returner, and who the returner is altogether. Personnel changes may not be anything major, but when the nature of the play has dramatically shifted, the usual suspects may have a learning curve to become adjusted to the new norm.

We'll all find out starting now.

Bengals offseason depth chart projection: OTAs provide the first glimpse of roster battles

Cincinnati starts OTAs this week. Here is what the depth chart should look like.