Cedric Ogbuehi trying to avoid bust status in 2018
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi wants to prove in 2018 that he is not a bust. Can he do it under offensive line coach Frank Pollack?
The 2018 season is the last chance for Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi. After the organization decided to decline the former 2015 first-round pick’s fifth-year option this summer, Ogbuehi has one chance to prove he should stay in a Bengals uniform. Unless he wants to play under short one-year prove it deals the rest of his career, he needs to show to the whole league he’s not a bust.
Ogbuehi was drafted 21st overall in the 2015 draft as the successor to left tackle, Andrew Whitworth. His size, speed, and athleticism had coaches raving about the tackle he could become. After a redshirt season rookie season, Ogbuehi started at right tackle in 2016 where he struggled immensely.
Cincinnati, for reasons beyond me, decided that it was time to move on from Whitworth and have Ogbuehi switch sides of the line. What could go wrong after watching your young tackle get dominated on the right side for a year and moving him to your quarterback’s blindside? Well according to this Pro Football Focus article, Ogbuehi has ranked in the bottom ten among qualified offensive tackles regarding pass-blocking efficiency in each of the last two seasons.
His poor production over the last two seasons resulted in the team not only declining his fifth-year option but trading for left tackle Cordy Glenn from the Buffalo Bills. At this point, the only place that Ogbuehi can find a starting spot is on the right side of the line if he can beat out Jake Fisher at right tackle or make a move at right guard.
It’s possible that the lack of development of Ogbuehi could be the result of former offensive line coach Paul Alexander. Considering the poor play under Alexander the last two seasons and coaches whispering about his line being soft, it’s possible. Ogbuehi could see better guidance under new offensive line coach Frank Pollack. Everything coming out of offseason workouts has painted Ogbuehi to be a shining success compared to years prior.
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Unfortunately, most stories coming out of offseason workouts are shining ones. The players have yet to put on pads and take the opposition on at this point. Until training camp starts on July 26, we won’t know how Ogbuehi looks against the competition. I’m interested to see how he does in the preseason considering there aren’t many schemes and it’s one on one battles. I’m not getting my hopes up, however.