The Bengals may feel better about their offensive line, but they are still not done fixing it. Protecting Joe Burrow has become an utmost priority, and the team is still looking for answers. That search has now brought another college name into the picture.

Cincinnati met with Oklahoma guard Febechi Nwaiwu on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport. Nwaiwu has met with the Bengals and the New York Giants.

Even after adding pieces, the depth on the offensive line is still not fully settled. Injuries have hit this group in recent seasons, and even now, some spots do not have a clear long-term answer. That has made it harder to build consistency up front.

That is where a player like Nwaiwu comes into the picture. He is not expected to go early and will likely be a Day 3 pick, but he gives the Bengals a depth option who can step in if needed.

Cincy holds eight draft picks this April. That includes a 10th overall, 41st overall in the second round and 72nd overall in the third round, among others.

His strengths include getting his hands on defenders early and holding his ground in pass protection, per NFLDraftBuzz.com. Even when pushed back, he resets and stays in the play.

He also works well in double teams and can move to the second level. That brings us to why this move still fits into the Bengals' wider plan.

Why Nwaiwu Could Help Bengals Build Needed Depth

Nwaiwu started all 13 games for Oklahoma in 2025 and earned second-team All-SEC honors. He also had a strong game against Alabama, which earned him SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in 2024.

In that game, Oklahoma converted all of its red zone chances into points, showing how well the line held up. Across his time, he has played as a right guard and center.

At the same time, there are areas he needs to improve. His lateral quickness is not the best, and he can struggle when defenders beat him early. In pass protection, he sometimes leans forward, which affects his balance.

He also does not always finish blocks in the run game. These are the reasons he is expected to fall to the later rounds instead of going early.

Still, the Bengals are not looking for a finished product here. They need players who can develop and step in when needed. Nwaiwu fits that role with his size, strength, and work ethic.

However, this visit is not about finding an instant starter. It is about adding depth and avoiding the same problems they have faced in recent seasons.

What are your thoughts on Febechi Nwaiwu coming to Cincinnati? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore