Don’t look now, but some unexpected names are popping up with big performances for the embattled Cincinnati Bengals offensive line this preseason.
Michael Jordan, a shocker as the No. 1 guard on the depth chart to start training camp, has been the team’s top-rated pass-blocker this preseason, earning an 85.5 grade over 25 pass-blocking snaps.
And it’s fourth-round rookie D’Ante Smith, not another notable name, with the team’s second-highest grade in this category at an 84.8.
These aren’t the biggest sample sizes, of course. But it only affirms what the Bengals saw when making Jordan the first-string guard on the depth chart and quickly giving the rookie Smith more attention on the field.
At the end of the day, maybe neither guy makes the cut as a starter on opening day. But the guard spot — and line as a whole — appears to be in a much better spot right now than it was this time last year.
The top pass-blockers on the OL for the #Bengals through two weeks of preseason action:
🔸Michael Jordan – 85.5 (25 pass-blocking snaps)
🔸D’Ante Smith – 84.8 (16)
🔸Jonah Williams – 81.8 (10)
🔸XSF – 78.0 (23)
🔸 Riley Reiff – 76.7 (10)— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) August 21, 2021
