The Bengals’ offensive line has always been a major concerning point in the Joe Burrow era as Cincinnati has always had one of the weakest units in the NFL with regularity. Hopefully for the sake of Burrow next season the unit can be better as it will need to be if the Bengals plan on winning the Super Bowl with their superstar QB. Here I will go into detail analyzing the Bengals’ offensive front heading into next year player by player including the reserve unit. The Bengals’ offensive line has a chance to be the best it has been in the Burrow era and perhaps Cincinnati can finally get over the hump as a result.
Starting at left tackle is former third rounder Orlando Brown Jr. Brown Jr is talented and was taken highly for a reason and has played really well at times in the NFL but is far too inconsistent. Take out his rookie season, and Brown Jr graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus in four straight seasons since entering the NFL. Even in his rookie season he finished barely below average in that department and was a borderline elite pass protector as a rookie. However, since then Brown Jr has had three straight seasons where he has graded as below average among players at his position in terms of an overall offense grade. But the past three seasons, where Brown Jr was graded below average in that department have been his first three with the Bengals. Where he struggled to stay healthy one season, where he has struggled to adjust with the Bengals, and where the Bengals’ offensive line has been poor in large part likely causing Brown Jr’s production to suffer as a result as well. Brown Jr is likely a slightly above average starting tackle who certainly is a well above average one when on his A game but struggles far too much with consistency.
Starting at left guard is 2025 third round pick Dylan Fairchild who had a strong rookie season and is in line to build off of it going forward. Fairchild despite being a rookie graded in the middle of the pack among players at his position which included ranking above average in terms of pass blocking efficiency. Given his high draft selection and his strong play as a rookie, Fairchild is in line to be a pro bowl caliber player at guard for years to come. However, Fairchild is still unproven and must show he can take the next step in 2026 and beyond.
Starting at center is Ted Karras who is a solid if not more than that player at the position. Karras in his first two seasons outside of his rookie season played very well in reserve snaps on the offensive line and earned himself a starting job as a result. Karras has been a starter at center/guard for seven seasons in a row now and has graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of pass blocking efficiency for all seven seasons. Karras is, however, very inconsistent in terms of run blocking as he has graded above average in that department only twice in those seven seasons. Just like Brown Jr, perhaps Karras’ numbers and grades by Pro Football Focus are negatively skewed playing on the Bengals’ poor offensive line in recent years. Karras is an above average player at his position who is among the better interior pass protectors in the NFL but struggles to consistently block for the run although showing he is capable from time to time.
Set to start at right guard is former 2nd round pick Dalton Risner who has shown he is very capable throughout his career but just lacks consistency. In seven seasons in the NFL, Risner has graded above average in terms of an overall offense grade among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus four times out of seven. However, Risner has now had two seasons in a row ranking above average in that department. Risner has played for three different teams in seven seasons and perhaps the lack of stability has contributed to his inconsistencies. Risner is known for being strong in pass protection but struggling as a run blocker, Risner has ranked above average in terms of pass blocking efficiency in five of seven seasons but above average in run blocking grade in only two of seven seasons. Risner is coming off the best season of his career in year 1 with the Bengals where he finished top 10 among qualified players at his position in terms of pass blocking efficiency while also grading above average as a run blocker. Risner in my estimation is an above average starter at his position who like his offensive line contemporaries just struggles with consistency.
Set to start at right tackle is 2024 first round pick Amarius Mims who has underwhelmed thus far in the NFL but has still shown potential. Mims had a decent rookie season and heading into 2025 it was expected for him to become a star. Although Mims did show improvement from year 1 to year 2, he has yet to fulfill his star potential. Mims graded just slightly above average among players at his position last season according to Pro Football Focus. Perhaps the poor Bengals’ offensive line in totality was a deterring factor to him coming into his own and maybe he can fulfill his star potential next season with the Bengals likely having an improved offensive line.
From a reserve standpoint on the offensive front, the Bengals have a few notable names. 2024 fourth round pick tackle Javon Foster was drafted relatively high but has yet to take a snap in the NFL. 2025 fifth round pick guard Jalen Rivers who struggled as a rookie will also be expected to be a strong reserve option for the Bengals. Cincinnati also drafted two players on the offensive front in this past 2026 draft in the fourth and sixth round, one on the interior and one at tackle, who will be expected to stay ready. While former 2019 second round pick Cody Ford has been very disappointing thus far in the NFL but was still drafted as high as he was for a reason.
A full breakdown of the Bengals’ offensive line heading into the 2026 season can be found below with me providing each player with a grade and some small footnotes.
Starters
LT – Orlando Brown Jr – B-, inconsistent, very good when on his A game
LG – Dylan Fairchild – C+ so far as 2025 third rounder, in line to improve mightily
C – Ted Karras – B-, borderline elite pass protector but struggles to run block
RG – Dalton Risner – B-, borderline elite pass protector but struggles to run block
RT – Amarius Mims – 2024 first round pick, C+ in NFL so far, could breakout in year 3
Key Reserves
T – Javon Foster – 2024 fourth round pick, yet to play a snap
G – Jalen Rivers – 2025 fifth round pick, struggled as rookie
C – Connor Lew – 2026 fourth round pick
T – Brian Parker II – 2026 sixth round pick
T/G/C – Cody Ford – Former 2nd round pick, C to C-
In totality the Bengals have a talented offensive line that I think easily has a chance to be the best in the Burrow era. If all five starters are healthy and on their A game, all five players will be above average to well above average if not elite starters at their positions. However, all five starters are known to struggle with consistency and/or are unproven. The Bengals also do not have a proven reserve player in their offensive line unit that can be relied upon to give them solid production. However, if the Bengals’ offensive line plays to their potential, then the Bengals could have a borderline elite offensive front which will easily be the best in the Burrow era.
