Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Offensive Line Preview Part 4: Predictions

The Bengals have improved their offensive line room year over year through the last couple of seasons, and they appear to have done it again as we head into the 2024 season.

Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Frank Pollack takes notes between plays in the first quarter / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

The only appropriate way to wrap up our four-part series on the Bengals' offensive line would be to discuss the competitions I am most interested in going into training camp. Of course, I will also go through the names I expect to see active on game days. There is only one spot up for grabs on the game day eight. However, the battle for the fourth tackle spot on the 53-man roster will have my attention early on. This preseason will be exciting and full of fun storylines to follow outside of the main pieces on this team.

The battle between veteran depth player Trey Hill and seventh round rookie Matt Lee for the role of Ted Karras’ understudy is the highlight of the position battles in the offensive line room this year. In my opinion, the backup center role is the only available game day position, and there has been much conversation around upgrading that position for the last few seasons. I have talked a lot about how excited I am to see what Lee will be able to bring in his rookie season (and beyond). If you told me he is an active member of the game day roster once September comes around, I would not be surprised.

Over the last couple of seasons, there has been plenty of discussion about Jackson Carman and his future with the Bengals. With the addition of Amarius Mims in the draft, this could be the year Carman’s position on the 53-man roster is truly in danger. If D’Ante Smith can stay healthy and perform at a high level through the preseason, I don’t see how he isn’t the final offensive tackle to make the roster. His ability to play both tackle spots and his consistent improvement make it hard to see a path for Carman to find a place on this roster in 2024.

Let’s wrap up this series by discussing who I expect to see active on game days this fall. I reviewed the four returning starters for the Bengals and don’t expect to see any change in those positions. Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, and Alex Cappa will be the starters, barring unforeseen circumstances. It is safe to assume Mims will be the sixth man, while pushing Trent Brown for the starting position at right tackle. Cody Ford should be penciled in as the first interior player off the bench, as he has guard/tackle flexibility and was the sixth man last season. That leaves us with only the backup center role to figure out.

I will keep pounding the table for Lee in that spot. Mims, Ford, and Lee will give the Bengals the flexibility to adapt to any situation on game day. Those three are the best options for the Bengals in case of injury.

The Bengals have improved their offensive line room year over year through the last couple of seasons, and they appear to have done it again as we head into the 2024 season. This offensive line will be the best that Joe Burrow has had in front of him since entering the NFL, which is all the reason I may get overly excited about what this season may bring. Aside from protecting the franchise, this group should help solve the Bengals' woes in the run game. They have struggled on early downs and with efficiency, but I expect those problems to dissipate thanks to this new and improved group.

Check out the other three parts of our Bengals offensive line series below:

Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Offensive Line Preview Part 1: Returning Starters

Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Offensive Line Preview Part 2: Returning Depth

Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Offensive Line Preview Part 3: Assessing Their Additions

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and check out the video below:

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Three Takeaways From Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL Draft Class

Complete List of All 10 Cincinnati Bengals Picks in 2024 NFL Draft

Watch: Highlights of New Cincinnati Bengals Tight End Erick All 

Bengals Take Defensive Tackle McKinnley Jackson in Third Round of NFL Draft

Cincinnati Bengals Get It Right, Take Amarius Mims in First Round of NFL Draft

Nick Saban Questions Bengals First Round Pick Amarius Mims

Bengals Take Erick All in Fourth Round of 2024 NFL Draft

Watch: Highlights of Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Jermaine Burton

Look: Zac Taylor Gets Hype After Bengals Pick Jermaine Burton

Erick All Excited to Catch Passes From Joe Burrow, Talks Super Bowl Dreams

Zac Taylor Praises Jermaine Burton, Discusses Character Questions

Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor Discusses Decision to Take Amarius Mims

Watch: Amarius Mims Highlights at Georgia

Amarius Mims is Excited to Block for Joe Burrow: “It’s a Blessing”

Amarius Mims Emotional After Bengals Took Him in First Round of 2024 NFL Draft

-----

Join the 44,000+ Bengals fans that subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok