What will Cedric Ogbuehi’s role be in 2018 for the Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have found their starter at left tackle by trading for Cordy Glenn. Will Cedric Ogbuehi still be a starter in 2018?
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi is looking at his last chance to prove himself worthy of a starting position for the club this coming season. After coming into the NFL on the Physically Unable to Perform list following a college knee injury in 2015, he was used in jumbo packages for the final five games of the season. He was then given the right tackle position in 2016 and left tackle position in 2017.
Ogbuehi was benched after playing at the right tackle position and then tested at the left tackle spot. Following the move, he suffered a shoulder injury to finish his 2016 season. He said that his more natural position was on the left side, where he started in 2017, but his poor play found him in a rotational spot three weeks into the season.
The Bengals other high 2015 draft pick, offensive tackle pick Jake Fisher is the hope to start at right tackle this season even after finding himself in a rotational role as well last year. His season was cut short after an irregular heartbeat. The two former 2015 draft picks will have their opportunity to compete for the right tackle position in this year’s training camp along with newly signed right tackle Bobby Hart.
The Bengals hope that new offensive line coach Frank Pollack can develop one of these tackles to be an upgrade over last year although it wouldn’t be hard. If either Fisher or Ogbuehi wants a chance at extending with the Bengals past this season, they will have to show they are worth it this season. Ogbuehi’s fifth-year option deadline is on May 2nd and it’s highly unlikely the team will pick it up for the production they have seen.
The trade for left tackle Cordy Glenn not only will take the left tackle position but contribute to why the Bengals will not pick up Ogbuehi’s option. With Glenn’s three-year, $24 million contract on the books, it makes the close to $10 million Ogbuehi would make under the fifth-year option even more out of the question.
Next: Could the Bengals wait till the second round to draft OL?
It will be interesting to see if either of the 2015 draft picks can prove themselves with a new line coach and improve to the starting right tackle position. With a somewhat weak offensive tackle class, the starter for the right tackle is likely already on the roster unless the team makes a move for one in the first round.