Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Lineman Named Top 2026 Breakout Candidate

A few players could pop on this offensive line.

Dec 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) and guard Dylan Fairchild (63) and offensive tackle Orlando Brown (75) line up for a play during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Bengals have a few young players who could pop this coming season, including a key factor along the offensive line. Pro Football Focus's Gordon McGuiness rolled with Dylan Fairchild as his Bengals breakout projection.

The former Georgia player posted a pretty solid rookie season after earning a starting job from Week 1 and beyond. Now, Fairchild is entering Year 2 with more confidence and the same running mates beside him.

"The Bengals drafted guard Dylan Fairchild with the 81st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the former Georgia Bulldog started 15 games as a rookie," McGuinness wrote. "Over the final eight games of the season, his 74.3 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked first among rookie guards and fourth among all rookie offensive linemen. He is capable of developing into the Bengals’ best offensive lineman by the end of the 2026 season."

Fairchild posted a 59.1 overall Pro Football Focus grade on a hefty 961 snaps last season.

His tutelage at Georgia helped him go from SEC guard to NFL stalwart in short order.

"I think they just demand a lot from their players. They demand a lot physically," Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said about the Georgia program last year. "They demand a lot mentally. It's obvious when you see the success they've had under that head coach and under that program, and when you go down there, you feel the energy in that building. You see what's demanded of those guys and you feel the energy they have for one another, their teammates and the program. I think it's always good to have guys from an environment like that."

Ted Karras sees a big jump coming. He discussed Fairchild with offensive line expert Brandon Thorn this offseason.

"Like just the amount of force he can generate. That's such a thing you can't even teach," Karras said. "You just have to find those guys."

Check out the full breakout list from McGuinness here.

Ted Karras on what made Dylan Fairchild's rookie season so encouraging.

"Some guys just generate a different amount of force."

A good discussion on a trait that's difficult to measure but easy for offensive linemen to recognize. pic.twitter.com/J05Dof88eu

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) July 22, 2026

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