Bengals LT Cordy Glenn among PFF’s top newcomers for 2018

The Bengals’ offensive line got a major overhaul this offseason, one that could help propel this team back to playoff contention.

It’s no secret that left tackle is the most important position along the offensive line, but that was arguably the Bengals’ biggest weakness in 2017. That helped bring the entire offense down, which finished dead last in total offense while allowing 40 sacks.

That’s something Cordy Glenn hopes to change in a big way. The mammoth left tackle was acquired in a trade with the Bills this offseason. He’s immediately becomes one of, if not the best offensive lineman on this team, and he’s easily the most important.

That’s why Pro Football Focus included Glenn in their list of newcomers expected to make big impacts in 2018, a list that includes rookies and veterans alike.

The departure of future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth has seen the Bengals struggle to find a suitable replacement and, in turn, suffering in pass protection. Glenn, who was traded to the Bengals this offseason, is expected to be the team’s answer at left tackle.

Prior to his injury-riddled 2017 campaign, Glenn earned 82.0-plus overall grades with the Buffalo Bills for four consecutive years (2013-16), including a career-high 85.3 mark in 2015. He ranked 12th among qualifying offensive tackles in pass-blocking efficiency (96.3) in 2015.

As PFF mentions, Glenn was injured throughout the 2017 season, which led to him having his worst season when he was healthy. Pro Football Focus gave him a meager 68.1 grade, but that came after four-straight seasons of 82.3 or better.

Glenn has spent the majority of his career at left tackle in Buffalo. He’s had some good seasons along with some so-so ones, but even his worst years have been significantly better than what the Bengals have had since Andrew Whitworth left in the 2017 offseason.

In terms of salary, Glenn is set to have a $11.25 million cap hit in 2018, according to Spotrac. His 2019 cap hit would be $9.25 million and in 2020 $9.5 million.

However, there’s an out in his contract in 2019 where the Bengals could part ways with him and save $18.75 million while owing $0 in dead cap money. That offers a great opportunity for the Bengals if Glenn doesn’t work out or proves not to be worth the money.

When healthy, Glenn has proved worthy of the money, so hopefully he stays healthy and become a franchise left tackle in Cincinnati.