2016 Cincinnati Bengals Offseason Outlook: Offensive Line

After reviewing a few groups which enter the offseason set with their personnel and depth charts (quarterback, running back and tight end), we dive into the offensive line, a group that won't have any big or surprising changes, but will see some new faces come 2016.  The Bengals will be returning four starters along their offensive line -- assuming right tackle Andre Smith walks in free agency -- and with the drafting of Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in the first and second rounds of the 2015 draft, their starters for 2016 are on the roster. What that starting lineup may look like when real games begin, is still a question, but I don't expect any starters who were not on the roster in 2015.

2015 Recap:

Entering the 2015 season, the Bengals' offensive line was considered a top five unit, and, despite struggling at times, most felt they lived up to those expectations. However, my eyes weren't impressed. As the season wore on, Andy Dalton and AJ McCarron were facing a decent amount of pressure and despite entering the season with what many thought was the best one-two running back punch in the NFL, the Bengals never got the ground game going...er, never got Jeremy Hill going. Perhaps defenses took an approach of stopping the run and forcing Dalton to beat them, but once Dalton had proven he could beat them, the running game still could not get going. If Hill was the biggest individual disappointment in 2015, I would put the offensive line as the biggest group disappointment in 2015.

2015 Depth Chart/Contract Numbers:

2016 Outlook:

As a result of injuries and positional flexibility, the Bengals broke camp in 2015 with only eight offensive linemen on their roster. However, they normally keep nine, and once Cedric Ogbuehi was healthy, they held onto nine linemen. I expect the Bengals to keep nine from the outset in 2016, and, as you can see from the chart above, six of those spots are locked down. Much to the chagrin of many Bengals fans (especially our own Cody Tewmey), Bodine will be on the roster as either the starter or backup. While I think there will be some new additions to this unit, it is possible that all nine spots are filled with players currently on the roster.

Free Agency:

Don't expect the Bengals to fill any offensive linemen spots with free agents - other than re-signing their own. The Bengals drafted Ogbuehi and Fisher with Smith's departure in mind, so I believe Smith will be allowed to walk. Smith has been a solid right tackle, but he isn't irreplaceable and someone will offer him decent money - money the Bengals won't be forced to spend because of their foresight in drafting Ogbuehi and Fisher. I could see Winston, Johnson and Hopkins all being re-signed, but none will be guaranteed a roster spot. Any additions to this unit will come via the draft and college undrafted free agents.

Draft:

I expect the Bengals to take two offensive linemen in the upcoming draft - one interior lineman, possibly a guy who can play center, and one young tackle to groom as a backup tackle post-Whitworth. If they don't find a tackle they like, I could see them bringing back Winston as a veteran backup in case one of the young tackles struggle.