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Projecting Bengals’ starting offensive line after first wave of free agency

By Leigh Oleszczak

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams - Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams - Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bengals
Jackson Carman, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Left Guard: Jackson Carman

The only position on the offensive line that’s up for grabs is left guard, which feels like Jackson Carman’s job to lose. In my previous projection, I thought the Bengals would re-sign Quinton Spain and that he’d return to man left guard for another season.

While Spain hasn’t signed anywhere yet, even if he is brought back, it still feels like Carman is going to get every opportunity to win the left guard job. Whether it’s the team actually believes he’s the right answer or they just don’t want to give up on their second-round pick so early into his career, Carman is going to get more than enough chances to prove he’s a starting-caliber guard.

Carman played right guard as a rookie but with a new free-agent in town swiping his job, left guard is all that’s left for the Clemson product to fight for. If Spain isn’t brought back, it should be an easier path to starting for Carman.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the stripes draft someone to compete with Carman for the starting left guard job but when push comes to shove, it’ll be Jackson Carman who’s the favorite to start at left guard when the 2022 season gets underway.