If there is part of the roster to point to when it comes to the struggles of the Bengals despite hosting one of the top quarterbacks in the league, it’s the big uglies up front. And boy, has their performance been ugly. The running game has been bottom three since 2021. The pass block win rate has been bottom three in three of the past four seasons. He has been sacked more than anyone over that span and his quick-pressure rate is worse than everyone as well, by a landslide. Lucas Patrick was the biggest move they made in free agency as they let starting guard Alex Cappa walk. He is a 32-year old journeyman who finally won a starting job in 2020 (with Green Bay). He has played all three interior spots and while his run blocking has always been a strength over pass protection, he has not allowed a sack over his last two seasons (893 pass block snaps).
To this point, Cody Ford has not lived up to the hype since being drafted out of Oklahoma in 2019 with the 38th overall pick by Buffalo. He was a hybrid tackle/guard prospect that, as we said in the Ourlads 2019 Draft Guide, “...needs to show more patience and trust his technique” who needed to begin his career at guard. Buffalo had other plans. They put him at right tackle right away and struggled mightily. After that, they moved him inside but his confidence was gone already. He lasted three seasons prior to being traded to Arizona for a fifth round pick. They held on to him for just one year and he has been with Cincinnati ever since the spring of 2023. He was primarily a backup that season but ended up starting nine games last year. It was more of the same and it looks like the 28-year old has not developed at all since his rookie season struggles.
Prediction: Patrick
The one caveat to this is the fact Patrick injured his calf early in camp. He got back on the field but looked a bit rusty in his first live action. While the Bengals coaching staff likely wants Ford to win the job because he is bigger and more athletic, Patrick keeps the floor higher. With rookie third rounder Dylan Fairchild likely to start at left guard, they likely opt for that high floor Patrick brings to the table.