The start of June means a first look at NFL starting lineup projections, an area where the Cincinnati Bengals don’t figure to have much in the way of change compared to last year’s lineups.
Case in point, some lineup projections from Pro Football Focus, where Cincinnati’s roster ranks 18th overall and features the usual names.
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Two interesting spots of note could be disrupted by rookies, though: Left guard and linebacker.
At left guard, PFF has Cordell Volson listed. And at linebacker, Germaine Pratt.
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Both guys could easily be supplanted by rookies. The PFF grades next to the projections say it all, too. Volson’s 59.3 grade that got him benched last year could mean losing his job to Dylan Fairchild, who has already been spotlighted as the starter during spring work.
Pratt, owner of a 60.6 grade last year, requested a trade and hasn’t been seen around the team since. Second-rounder Demetrius Knight has already had a prominent role of his own and could take the majority of the snaps next to Logan Wilson.
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The rookies have to go out this summer and earn those spots. But it’s a good thing for a Bengals team that restarted along the coaching staff at offensive line and linebacker, as rookies developing quickly could help turn those problematic units around faster.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals rookies could ruin PFF’s 2025 NFL starting lineup projections