5 potential left guard options for Cincinnati Bengals in 2022

3. Connor Williams

The No. 38 best free agent according to PFF is Connor Williams, who has spent the first four years of his career with the Cowboys. He started at left guard for the ‘Boys in Week 1 of his rookie season and essentially held onto the job ever since, getting better along the way as well.

PFF projects Williams to receive a three-year deal worth $20 million with an annual salary of $6.67 million and $12.5 in guaranteed money. Considering that Williams won’t turn 25 until May, I’m surprised his projected contract isn’t for more years. That could be the key to a team landing him.

Perhaps Williams’ brief benching in 2021 plays a factor in the shorter contract but once he returned to action, he improved greatly, as PFF notes that his pass-blocking grade was 84.1 over the final five weeks of the season. He’s a better run-blocker typically but the improvement through his final five games shows that he’s a solid option at left guard.