Latest Bengals free agent departure intensifies underrated roster need with 2026 NFL Draft approaching
Former Cincinnati Bengals backup offensive lineman Lucas Patrick is signing with the New York Giants. Patrick’s departure highlights a specific part of the roster that could use some reinforcements in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals watched one of their few remaining free agents find a new opportunity Monday when Lucas Patrick joined the New York Giants.
Patrick, who is signing a one-year deal with New York City’s NFC team, played in six games for the Bengals in 2025, making one start at right guard in Week 1.
Cincinnati didn’t rely on Patrick to start after a calf injury took him out for several weeks following the season-opener. The veteran transitioned to becoming a key backup for all three interior offensive line positions, mainly at the center spot.
That specific role could use some attention now that the internal solution is gone.
Bengals’ need at backup IOL positions grows after Lucas Patrick departs
The Bengals could line up right now with a competent o-line. That statement has not always been accurate in the first week of April of past years. You can thank Dalton Risner’s extension for that.
Depth behind the five starters, however, is questionable at best. The interior spots are no exception.
Jalen Rivers, Cincy’s fifth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, is the current backup at both guard positions. He started seven games at RG as a rookie and came in off the bench there in two other contests. He also filled in at LG very briefly late in the year.
While Rivers was executing his role, Patrick was the backup C behind the ever-durable Ted Karras. He was given the task when Matt Lee, a seventh-round selection from the 2024 draft, went out for an extended period of time late in the season.
Lee is pretty much all Cincinnati has behind the 33-year old Karras right now, and that may spark a draft pick to be used on the position. Lee was viewed as a quality seventh-rounder when drafted, but it’s difficult to gauge where he’s at entering his third year following an injury-filled season.
When would the Bengals draft an IOL?
The Bengals may draft two defensive linemen before they use one of their eight picks on a backup C. After the first four rounds, Cincinnati has four picks to work with between the sixth and seventh rounds.
In that range is where competition for Lee could be found, which is fitting since Lee was drafted there as well.
Karras himself was a sixth-round pick back in 2016. Patrick was an undrafted free agent signing from the same rookie class. Long-time players at this spot can be found late in the draft, or outside the draft entirely.
Re-signing Patrick was not a high priority, but it could’ve eliminated the idea of drafting another C with positional flexibility.
Expect to see a late Day 3 target satiate the need. Find your own with the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator!
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