Bengals coach peels back the curtain regarding what position their newest versatile offensive lineman will be practicing at to start his career

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated May 24, 2025 5:53 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted two offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft for two different reasons.

Third-round pick Dylan Fairchild's task is simple: Start immediately at left guard. He's got the inside track toward securing the position as a top-100 selection.

Fifth-round pick Jalen Rivers has a more ambiguous purpose this year, and that's to be useful wherever he may be needed.

But playing any and all five spots along the line isn't expected of him right out of the gate. O-line coach Scott Peters has already identified where he'll be taking reps while getting his feet wet.

Peters told Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson Rivers will start out at left tackle, where he played the majority of his college career at Miami.

"We like to major guys in one spot so they start to build the toolbox," Peters told Hobson. "It's a little easier for them to learn and then replicate those moves on the opposite side after they've learned one spot.

"We see [Rivers] as a tackle and a guard right now because of his length and his ability to pass protect. He gives you some options."

The Bengals already have Orlando Brown Jr. locked in as Joe Burrow's blindside tackle for this season and the next, so Rivers won't be competing for a starting gig right away. The 22-year old only started one full season for the Hurricanes as injuries took away many potential starts.

Being thrust into a starter's role immediately may not be the best thing for him until he proves he can stay healthy, but Peters can't protect everyone from getting hurt. Eventually, depth of his group will be tested, and that's when Rivers can come in and prove himself beyond practicing behind Brown.

"He's someone we know when the time's right, we'll be able to move him around a little bit," Peters said.

Rivers was moved around plenty before arriving in Cincinnati. He rotated between left tackle and left guard during the 2024 season after starting all of 2023 at left tackle. He spent 2022 and 2021 exclusively at left guard despite being recruited as a tackle.

If Fairchild grabs the reins at left guard, Rivers could see time at right guard depending on how that battle fares with Lucas Patrick, Cody Ford, and Cordell Volson all in the mix. Right tackle could also use depth with Amarius Mims coming off a rookie season in which he suffered a handful of ailments.

Like Peters said, Rivers gives them options. For now, he'll get used to filling in for Brown with the rest of the reserves.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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