NFL 2018: Ranking the 5 best offseason moves on offensive line

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ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 10: Cordy Glenn #77 of the Buffalo Bills signals touchdown during the second half against the New York Jets on September 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

5. Cordy Glenn, T (Cincinnati Bengals)

Many like to focus on the skill positions when it comes to teams losing players via free agency or trades during an offseason. But you could make a very big case for the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2017 issues being traced to the loss of left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams a year ago. Add in right guard Kevin Zeitler’s decision to sign with the rival Cleveland Browns and that pair of departures proved to be huge when it came to the downfall of Marvin Lewis’ offense.

In 2017, no team in the NFL gained fewer total yards per game and only the Detroit Lions ran for fewer yards per contest. Despite a backfield which featured Giovani Bernard, Jeremy Hill and Joe Mixon, Marvin Lewis’ team managed a dismal 85.4 yards per outing on the ground. All told, Cincinnati’s offensive unit made only 31 trips to the end zone while the team gave up 40 sacks.

Yes, the Bengals used their first-round pick in April on former Ohio State Buckeyes’ center Billy Price. But perhaps more significantly, the team managed to obtain left tackle Cordy Glenn from the Buffalo Bills via trade. Health has been a bit of an issue the past two seasons. But the one-time second-round pick from the University of Georgia is a major upgrade for a unit in need of help.

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