There are some lists you just don’t want to be on, such as the one that Cincinnati Bengals left offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. just appeared on. On May 21, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report played Brown on his list of the most overrated NFL players at every position, calling Brown the most overrated offensive lineman in the entire league—to the point that he’s lobbying for a position.
While Brown has the size at 6’8″ and 345 pounds to be a great left tackle, he lacks athleticism and struggles against speed rushers,” Kay wrote. “He gives up far too many pressures for a left tackle who’s being paid at an elite level. He’s much more capable as a run-blocker, which he would be able to excel at more on the right side of the line.”
Brown is entering his seventh NFL season in 2024 after signing a 4-year, $64 million free-agent contract with the Bengals in March 2023.
Brown Became Star Early in NFL Career
Brown was drafted in the third round out of Oklahoma by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s elite offensive linemen, to the point where the Kansas City Chiefs made a blockbuster trade and gave up a first-round pick to bring him in to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blindside before the 2021 season.
Brown made the Pro Bowl four consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2022 and helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win following the 2022 season, when he played under a franchise tag that paid him $16.7 million.
The Bengals were praised for signing Brown in free agency, but his performance in 2023 was less than stellar—after allowing 8 total sacks in 2021 and 2022, he allowed 7 sacks in 2023, according to PFF. “After the 2022 season, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Brown to a four-year, $64 million contract in free agency,” Kay stated. “That placed Brown in the top five at his position for total contract value and guaranteed money, as well as the top ten for average compensation.
Bengals Drafted for Future of OL in 2024
The Bengals made an emphatic move in the first round to protect franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, selecting 6-foot-8, 340-pound Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims (18th overall). Mims only started eight games at Georgia and is listed as the backup to right offensive lineman Trent Brown on OurLads.com during OTAs, but he might eventually guard Burrow’s blind side.
“Talented tackle prospect carrying a picturesque frame and exciting NFL traits,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft report. “Mims has good technique and is ahead of the game in hand placement. He has the size and bend to create movement, as well as the athleticism to make blocks while moving, though he may be inconsistent in that regard. He uses a two-handed punch, which causes him to lunge forward slightly, although this should be easily corrected. It’s unusual to see him clearly beaten by a rusher, and he has the recovery ability to deal with it when it happens.”
