CINCINNATI -- Now that the Cincinnati Bengals are three weeks into free agency, they have a more accurate picture of how the roster will look heading into the 2017 draft.
We're taking a look at each position, how it changed in free agency and where it stands now.
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OFFENSIVE LINE
Guard: Clint Boling, Christian Westerman, Alex Redmond, Trey Hopkins
Center: Russell Bodine, T.J. Johnson (could also play center)
Tackle: Cedric Ogbuehi, Jake Fisher, Andre Smith (could also play guard), Eric Winston
Departures: Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler
State of the position: The Bengals' offensive line looks practically unrecognizable just months into the 2017 offseason.
Whitworth, long a staple at left tackle, signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Right guard Zeitler signed a record-breaking deal with the Cleveland Browns.
In some ways, the Bengals are looking at an entirely revamped offensive line in 2017. Left guard Boling and center Bodine will return, but right guard, right tackle and left tackle will feature three players who did not play a full season last year.
Ogbuehi is slotted for the left tackle spot after struggling at right tackle last season. Fisher, who filled in at right tackle after Ogbuehi was benched for poor play late in the season, will potentially be the new starting right tackle. Smith, who left the Bengals in free agency last year but returned after one season with the Minnesota Vikings, could potentially be the new starting guard, despite never playing that position in an NFL game.
Smith could also compete for the tackle position, with Johnson potentially playing guard.
All of this uncertainty comes after the Bengals concluded a season where they allowed Andy Dalton to be sacked 41 times.
Until all of the dust has settled, offensive line will remain the most concerning and weakest unit on the team. The Bengals are banking heavily on the fact Ogbuehi and Fisher, their first two draft picks in 2015, will take huge steps forward this year. At this point, neither has shown themselves capable of being a full-time starter.
It also remains to be seen how the second stint with Smith will go. While he'll have an easier time fitting back into the Bengals' system than an unknown free agent would, he also spent most of the 2016 injured and was already allowed to walk away once. There's no risk if the Bengals intended on bringing him back as a backup, but he signed a one-year deal worth up to $3.2 million, indicating he's in line to start.
The Bengals' moves on the offensive line seem to be high-risk, and so far, little reward this year. While the team saved money by not bringing in an expensive veteran or re-signing Whitworth and Zeitler, it could be a long season for Dalton if their young draft picks don't show massive improvements in 2017.