ESPN names Cincinnati Bengals' biggest weakness entering the 2022 season
ESPN recently ranked all the rosters in the NFL and they feel like the Cincinnati Bengals have the No. 8 best roster in the league. One reason why the Bengals aren't higher is because ESPN feels like the team still has a big weakness along their offensive line. ESPN lauded Cincinnati for the offensive line […]
ESPN recently ranked all the rosters in the NFL and they feel like the Cincinnati Bengals have the No. 8 best roster in the league.
One reason why the Bengals aren't higher is because ESPN feels like the team still has a big weakness along their offensive line.
ESPN lauded Cincinnati for the offensive line improvements they made this offseason — signing Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, and La'el Collins — but they still feel like left guard will be an issue for the Bengals in 2022.
Jackson Carman is currently expected to be the starting left guard for Cincinnati in 2022.
From ESPN:
The Bengals' primary focus this offseason was on improving the offensive line, bringing in Ted Karras, Alex Cappa and La'el Collins to start from center to right tackle. However, left guard remains a potential weak point. Jackson Carman is the favorite to step into that role after earning a 54.2 PFF grade in 501 offensive snaps as a rookie. The last time he saw the field, Carman allowed six quarterback pressures in 20 pass-blocking snaps against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Quality play at that position requires some projection entering 2022, whether it ends up being Carman or rookie Cordell Volson.
Carman didn't play well last season, but it's important to remember that he was a rookie. He should improve in his second season in the NFL. And it certainly helps that he'll have some great mentors in Cappa, Karras, and Collins.
If Carman doesn't work out, then the Bengals have rookie Cordell Volson, a fourth-round pick out of North Dakota State, that can step into a starting role if necessary.
There's no doubt the Bengals need better play from their left guard than they got last season. But the other improvements that were made along the offensive line should help make Carman's job a bit easier in 2022.
Ultimately, there were only so many improvements Cincinnati could make this offseason. And I think the improvements they made will turn out to be extremely impactful.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
