As I have reiterated numerous times, the offensive line is without a doubt the biggest weakness of this juggernaut Cincinnati Bengals offensive unit. Once you get over the fact that this unit has elite talent like quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, this offense all of a sudden looks remarkably ordinary. The offensive line is without a doubt going to be interesting to watch throughout the preseason.
It’s time to take a look at which players that increased their stock with their first preseason game.
Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Line Superstars from Saturday’s Matchup
The biggest thing to take away from the first look at football in this early 2024 preseason is that the Cincinnati offense appeared dominant from top to bottom. That includes the offensive line where it looked like this unit could give Burrow as much time as he needed and allow their superstar gunslinger ample time to work in the pocket. The obvious winners in this group would have to be offensive tackles Orlando Brown Jr. with an overall PFF focus grade of 70.8 on 13 total snaps and Amarius Mims with an overall grade of 62.9 on 16 total snaps.
While scores in the 60s and 70s certainly aren’t Pro Bowl quality, the solid pass block scores for Brown and Mims of 81.6 and 69.4 are certainly numbers to be excited about. Obviously with pass block scores above the average score, run blocking was an issue for the entire first-team offensive line but with the way this offense is built, pass blocking is going to be the far more significant statistic.
Brown is desperate for a solid season heading the second year on a blockbuster contract that he signed with Cincinnati last offseason. If he can finally provide that level of protection to Burrow at a consistent level throughout the season, his $16 million per season average will finally appear like a bargain. Mims, on the other hand, is fighting tooth-and-nail to secure the starting right tackle position after the apparent incumbent Trent Brown has missed virtually the entire preseason so far.
T. Brown unfortunately has a reputation for coming into training camp in poor condition, making head coach Zac Taylor’s decision to name him to the starting lineup the same day that he finally was declared able to practice a particular head scratcher. Even if the veteran right tackle starts the season, look for Mims to step up and claim the starting job at the first sign of trouble on the right side of the line of scrimmage.
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