10 Bold Predictions for the Bengals’ Season in 2020
By Aaron Burd
Michael Jordan will be the best offensive lineman on the team
While I expect one second-year offensive lineman to disappoint in Jonah Williams, I expect another to exceed expectations in Michael Jordan. The 2019 fourth-round draft pick from Ohio State had an inconsistent rookie year but should take a leap in play in 2020.
Despite a rough first year, the coaching staff in Cincinnati seems very confident in Jordan. Various coaches have stood strong in their support of Jordan this offseason, despite cries for new offensive linemen from fans. The front office not focusing on offensive linemen in the recent draft shows their belief in some of their young lineman, Jordan being one of them. With the coaching staff and front office putting their support behind him, he must have shown something they liked.
Toward the end of the 2019 season, Jordan improved, and the Bengals’ running game got better as well. While he can’t claim all of the praise, his improved play certainly played a large part in that. In 2020, he will hope to build upon that. With a year of experience under his belt, he should be one of the Bengals’ most improved players.
A breakout year for Jordan could be crucial to the Bengals’ 2020 success. With a rookie quarterback in Joe Burrow, the offensive line must protect their signal-caller or he could have a rough first year. With uncertainty at every spot on the line besides center, it is crucial that one or two linemen break out and show they can hold down the line along with Trey Hopkins. After showing promise in the last few games of the 2019 season, Jordan will need to be one of those players.
At the age of 22, a promising second-year from Jordan could be a sign of great things to come. Despite being just 21 at the time, Jordan earned the starting job as a fourth-round rookie in 2019. While it took him until the end of the season to impress as a rookie, Jordan eventually showed why he earned the starting job. In 2020, he will show himself to be the best offensive lineman on the team.