Offensive Line- Some options for pass protection from the NFC North
T.J. Lang (OG) – Green Bay Packers
With Kevin Zeitler as a pending free agent, offensive guard is a need and could be addressed with an established veteran in T.J. Lang at offensive guard. If Lang is not resigned, he could provide as a very good replacement for Zeitler and help protect Andy Dalton in the trenches.
The Bengals do have Christian Westerman as a potential option at offensive guard. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. Inevitably, I think this need is addressed through free agency; either by resigning Zeitler or by signing someone that can start right away to bolster the offensive line that was a big weakness in 2016.
Riley Reiff (OT) – Detroit Lions
I think they should resign Andrew Whitworth but it has been reported that he wants to play for a playoff caliber team. If the veteran left tackle walks, I can see the Bengals addressing this need in free agency or with some of their highly drafted offensive tackles in previous drafts but have struggled when they have played. An above average starter like Riley Reiff of the Detroit Lions could play left tackle or right tackle for them and can be a versatile starter on the offensive line.
The Bengals could stick it out and play their young offensive tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. Both were Rounds 1 and 2 draft picks in the 2015 NFL Draft and while Fisher has not played a ton in the NFL coming out of Oregon as a 2nd round pick, Ogbuehi from Texas A&M as a former 1st round pick was not good when he started at right tackle. He was a weak link on the offensive line last season and when Fisher did play some as a backup to almost all offensive line positions, he did not show much promise either.
Both have to get better in order for the Bengals to feel confident in their young players to start and protect Dalton at the offensive tackle positions. I think the Bengals desperately try to bring Whitworth back but if they fail, I think they find a decent starter in free agency for 2017.