The 2 offensive linemen that Joe Burrow probably wants the Bengals to draft

It's no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals need to add some talent to their offensive line via the 2022 NFL Draft. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 70 times in 2021 — including 19 times in the Super Bowl. If Burrow is going to play in the NFL for another 15 years, and if Cincinnati […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Cincinnati Bengals

It's no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals need to add some talent to their offensive line via the 2022 NFL Draft.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 70 times in 2021 — including 19 times in the Super Bowl. If Burrow is going to play in the NFL for another 15 years, and if Cincinnati hopes to return to the Super Bowl, then the offensive line better get upgraded this offseason (through free agency and the draft).

A year ago, the Bengals consulted Burrow about selecting wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, his former LSU teammate, with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Cincinnati decided to roll with Burrow's suggestion and it paid off in a big way. Chase's rookie season was the best ever from a first-year wide receiver. And he was a big reason why the Bengals reached the Super Bowl.

I'd say there's a good chance that Burrow is consulted again this offseason when it comes to the draft.

And I think I know a couple of names that Burrow might suggest.

Cincinnati Bengals
Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State offensive lineman Ed Ingram (OL21) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Burrow might like to see a couple of his former LSU offensive linemen join him in Cincinnati next season.

Offensive guard Ed Ingram and offensive tackle Austin Deculus would be a couple of good mid to late-round options for the Bengals.

Ingram played at LSU from 2017 to 2021 (he didn't play in 2018 while suspended awaiting charges to be dismissed, which they eventually were).

The Texas native played in 12 games in 2019 alongside Burrow — including most of LSU's win against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinal game.

Here's Bleacher Report's scouting report on Ingram:

Ingram has a sturdy, thick build with broad shoulders and girth through his core and lower half. He shows the necessary mobility to bend and get low at the point of attack, with good pad level to maximize his power output. He boasts very good play strength and power to hit, lift and drive defenders off the ball in the run game ,with the rotational force to torque and uproot the opponent laterally to open up lanes off his back side on angle-drive blocks.

The other LSU offensive lineman that Burrow might like to see in Cincy is offensive tackle Austin Deculus, a Louisiana native who started 46 games in Baton Rouge (including 13 starts in 2019 alongside Burrow).

Deculus is a player that Cincinnati could land in the sixth or seventh round. He's a project player, but he could add some much-needed offensive line depth to the roster. And we know he works well with Burrow, so it makes sense to add a depth piece that's already familiar with the star quarterback.

Obviously, the Bengals have to do a lot more work on their offensive line than just drafting these two players in the mid to late rounds (they need to draft an interior offensive lineman in the first round). But I think landing either of these players would be a good move for Burrow and the Bengals.

Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK