Are the Bengals Set at Guard? Zac Taylor Speaks on Future Plans

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor talked about several topics During his 50-minute press conference at the NFL’s yearly gatherings, he addressed the condition of the guard position.

The Bengals identified one of their primary needs during this offseason as bolstering their guard position following the release of Alex Cappa. The team now faces vacancies at both starting left and right guard roles. This situation makes the limited movement in the initial days of free agency somewhat puzzling, particularly considering these key spots remain open.

The team re-signed Cody Ford And he is anticipated to vie for one of those positions, despite the Bengals' enhancement at both roles. Cordell Volson is back and will join the competition after relinquishing his starting role in the previous season. The team also brings in an experienced guard. Lucas Patrick He was signed during the second week of free agency to a one-year contract and stands as the sole player the Bengals acquired from another team for that position.

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Bengals offensive guard depth

Taylor discussed the current status of the position and suggested that the Bengals see the draft as an opportunity to address this requirement.

"I believe currently, with our guards, we'll proceed to the draft and then assess our situation from there," Taylor stated.

Despite Joe Burrow suffering from 48 sacks, the Bengals boasted one of the top-passing offenses in the NFL last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Burrow faced pressure an unprecedented 240 times throughout the campaign.

Considering the playing style Burrow prefers and the pass-oriented offensive strategy employed by the Bengals, he will probably continue to be among the most frequently sacked quarterbacks. Last season, his 652 passing attempts led the league.

Even though statistics may not fully encapsulate the previous season's performance of the Bengals' inside linebackers, this remains an aspect where the squad needs enhancement to progress further. Taylor hesitated when asked whether the starting player for either guard position is currently part of the team’s roster.

Who is playing as the guard for the Bengals?

I believe we have some competition in that area," he stated. "It would be unwise of me to comment beforehand. Let’s see how the draft unfolds, and afterwards, I can provide you with a more informed response.

Everything indicates that the Bengals will select a guard in the initial rounds when the draft kicks off at the end of April. Additionally, it's important to mention that the offensive line has been an area where Cincinnati hasn’t excelled over the past several seasons. Taylor admitted as much and expressed optimism that with the addition of new offensive line coach Scott Peters, the team could hit the mark with whichever selection they make for this role.

Below is a list of all the offensive linemen the Bengals have selected in the draft since Taylor took over as head coach in 2019:

  • Jonah Williams
  • Michael Jordan
  • Hakeem Adeniji
  • D’Ante Smith
  • Jackson Carman
  • Trey Hill
  • Cordell Volson
  • Amarius Mims
  • Matt Lee

“We need to focus on doing an excellent job this year, particularly when deciding to bring someone onboard, ensuring they’re the right fit for our goals and maximizing their potential from a developmental perspective,” Taylor stated.

Usually, in the NFL, when a team gives a second contract to a player they originally drafted, it indicates that the selection was successful. Taylor hopes that in the future, more players selected for this particular position will also receive such follow-up contracts.

That’s an issue we’re still addressing—finding linemen who can be developed through the draft," Taylor explained. "Everyone has agreed on each player selected so far, but now our focus is increasing their productivity. I reflect on what actions have been taken and perhaps the shortage of players from that group receiving second contracts.

The Bengals possess six selections in the approaching NFL draft, and from Taylor’s remarks, it is evident that at least one—and possibly two—of these picks will go toward bolstering their offensive line.

The article initially appeared on The Cincinnati Enquirer. Are the Bengals settled at guard? Zac Taylor comments on the team's future plans for the role.

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