Bengals Draft 3rd-Round Guard 'Who'll Come In And Start' Says Coach

After drafting defense in the first two rounds, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted guard Dylan Fairchild from Georgia in the third round of the NFL Draft Friday night.

Cincinnati needed to bolster their interior offensive line and Fairchild - on paper - can certainly provide help protecting QB Joe Burrow.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic was really high on Fairchild (6-5, 320) coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine.

"A two-year starter at Georgia, Fairchild settled in at right guard in offensive coordinator Mike Bobo's multiple-run scheme (zone and gap)," Brugler said. "He cut his teeth on the scout team (non-travel) over his first two seasons in Athens before earning a starting job and quickly developing into one of the better guards in the SEC."

Brugler added that Fairchild is a bully on the offensive line and has a wrestler's mindset.

"Fairchild is built to hold his ground and jolt defenders at the point of attack, and he plays with the fierce demeanor to win his individual battles (wrestling mentality)," Brugler said. "At times, his feet, hands and eyes can get slightly disjointed as he responds to quickness, but he flashes dominance when his moving parts all stay on the same page." 

And the Bengals coach is even higher on him.

"He'll come in and start at left guard. ....We were crossing our fingers he would be there,'' said head coach Zac Taylor.

Wow.

Fairchild did not get much experience at Georgia, starting only two seasons, but when he did see action, he played well and has tremendous upside.

From Brugler ...

"Fairchild lacks experience — and it shows at times — but he is powerful, tough and naturally aggressive. I expect him to continue getting better with additional reps. He is an ascending prospect with NFL starting upside, in the Wyatt Teller mold."