This past weekend the Cincinnati Bengals rehired offensive line coach and run Coordinator Frank Pollack. In 2018, the Bengals hired Pollack the first time after helping the Dallas Cowboys become the best offensive line in the game.
The offensive line struggled and with Zac Taylor hired as the Bengals new head coach, Pollack was let go. Pollack is back and there are a few things to be done for Pollack to make the offensive line successful.
Pollack Needs a new Offensive Line Protecting Joe Burrow
Another season goes by with Zac Taylor and another horrendous offensive line. Taylor replaced Pollack with Jim Turner which was a mistake. Now Pollack is back after the Bengals offensive line had two unsuccessful seasons with Turner. This offseason will have a tremendous amount of talent on the offensive line in Free Agency.
In 2021 the Bengals cap space will be 35 million dollars. Three top free agents should be looked at. Former Washington Football Team guard Brandon Scherff, former New England Patriots Guard Joe Thuney and former San Francisco 49ers Tackle Trent Williams would all be big upgrades on the Bengals offensive line.
Scherf will have a market value of 11.1 million dollars a season, Thuney will have a market value of 13.9 million dollars a season and Williams will have a market value of 18.2 million dollars a season. With Bengals guard Alex Redmond set for free agency, Scherff looks like the most valuable upgrade for the Cincinnati OL.
Bengals OL coach Frank Pollack: We've got a good young quarterback. You've gotta do everything you can to protect him.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 11, 2021
Redmond’s Pro Football Focus score was 61.5 compared to Scherff’s which was 84.1. Signing Scherff would add a huge asset still in his prime at 29. The Bengals should also look toward the future in the draft. Since the Bengals are selecting fifth overall, generational talent Penei Sewell could be out of reach.
The Bengals might want to trade down with a team that has a few draft picks to give. Trading down between five to 10 spots can land a very good offensive lineman in the draft. There are a few intriguing offensive linemen that can fall in the early to mid-teens.
Top offensive linemen in 2021 NFL Draft
Alijah Vera-Tucker from USC, Sam Cosmi from Texas, and Alex Leatherwood from Alabama will be available anywhere from 12th to 20th in the first round. An extra pick due to trading back could offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw from Virginia Tech and Rashawn Slater from Northwestern could be available.
Adding a Receiver will Help Support Frank Pollack
The more weapons that Joe Burrow has the better. With free agency around the corner, the Bengals might need to cut toes with A.J. Green and John Ross. There is an option in free agency. Wide receiver, Marvin Jones from the Detroit Lions, will become a free agent.
Jones started his career in Cincinnati where he and Green were one of the top five duos in the NFL in the early 2010s. Now it’s time to have him back. He will be a solid number three receiver behind Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins.