The Bengals still have questions to answer at the offensive tackle position.
Despite improvements from left tackle Jonah Williams and La'el Collins, who started over the Bengals' 2021 starter, Isaiah Prince, both Williams and Collins each respectively battled their own injuries. Williams missed the Bengals' final two playoff games with dislocated kneecap. Collins tore his ACL in Week 16 against the Patriots and missed the rest of the year.
Williams enters his fifth-year option of his rookie deal. Collins, who has two years left on his deal, is nearing the age of 30 and might not be ready for the start of the 2023 season. The Bengals could also save over $6 million in cap space if they choose to release him this summer.
Are Collins and Williams long term answers for the Bengals? Or should the team plan for a future without either of them starting now? Does that also mean the Bengals should cut Collins?
Swing tackle Hakeem Adeniji also enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2023. Assuming he doesn't return after next year, the Bengals should plan to add depth at the tackle position in the offseason to set themselves up in 2024. Jackson Carman showed promise at tackle late in the year and proved he could provide solid depth in the future.
The interior, led by center Ted Karras and right guard Alex Cappa, is in good shape and showed solid consistency in their first year together in Cincinnati. Rookie left guard Cordell Volson proved to be a solid fourth round draft pick by starting every game at his position in the regular season and playoffs. Other than deciding on what to do with backup guard Max Scharping, Cincinnati is set up well on the inside.
The Strictly Stripes podcast crew weighs the pros and cons of moving forward with or without Collins and how to prepare for a future without Williams and/or Adeniji. Looking through the list of draft prospects, they assess some of the top tackles available and explain where the Bengals should focus on drafting a lineman in the first round.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
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