Bengals: 4 takeaways from first depth chart of 2021 season

Cincinnati Bengals depth chart takeaways

2. D’Ante Smith backup at left guard

When Riley Reiff sat out due to injury, D’Ante Smith got some first-team reps at right tackle. The fourth-round rookie struggled, to say the least, getting his butt handed to him by Sam Hubbard all afternoon long.

Fast forward a few days later, however, and Smith has a new role. He’s been getting an opportunity to show what he can do at guard and to this point, he’s been impressive. He wowed Zac Taylor in his new role and the hard work has paid off, as Smith is the backup at the left guard position.

This is not something fans would have anticipated a week ago but Smith has thrived ever since he was kicked inside and he’s caught up to second-round rookie Jackson Carman in the guard competition, actually passing him, as Carman is the third-string right guard.

Smith has made the most of the opportunities given to him and it’s paid off in a big way. He went from being potentially the third-string right tackle to now being the backup left guard. The Bengals should be excited about what this kid has to offer.