Tag: Cordell Volson

Bengals rookie Cordell Volson made case for 1st-team reps as Jackson Carman struggled

The battle is far from over, yet the rookie is elbowing his way into first-team reps.

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As perhaps many expected, it appears the battle at left guard for the Cincinnati Bengals isn’t going to be nearly as easy to figure out as it should be.

During Friday night’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, 2021 second-round pick Jackson Carman struggled mightily while fourth-round rookie Cordell Volson looked solid for a big chunk of the night.

That’s thrown things for a bit of a loop, as Carman came in without the issues that dogged his rookie season. He’s also got a year of experience over Volson.

But it appears things just aren’t that simple. Much of what coaches saw from Carman in practices this summer just didn’t show up often, to the point he was the team’s only starter playing amongst backups in the first half.

Now highlights and analysis have started to leak out, with this notable from PFF’s Anthony Treash:

This doesn’t mean the battle is settled by any means. But it’s a pretty clear sign the team doesn’t have long before it needs to throw first-team reps at Volson and really see what he can do.

Maybe the rookie flops. He was, after all, merely looking solid against second and third-stringers. But it could also gradually translate to good looks against starters, helping him provide a steadier presence than Carman on a snap-to-snap basis.

Or — and this seems pretty likely given how bad the rest of the backups were against other backups — the Bengals will have to look to free agency and smaller trades near final 53 cutdowns to find other solutions.

Either way, it’s clear Volson is right in the thick of this competition because Carman keeps leaving the door open.

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Bengals rookie Cordell Volson gets shot at starting LG job

It’s Cordell Volson vs. Jackson Carman, coaches confirmed.

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Cincinnati Bengals coaches and personnel said plenty of interesting things during the annual brunch with reporters before training camp starts.

Who will take part in the left guard battle was one of the most notable.

Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan confirmed that fourth-round rookie Cordell Volson will push Jackson Carman in that left guard battle, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.

Volson, the 136th pick out of North Dakota State, instantly became a fan favorite. He was also quickly asked to learn multiple positions during a rookie minicamp.

While this doesn’t still rule out the Bengals adding a veteran at left guard via free agency or trade soon or at final cuts, it confirms the theory that Volson will get a chance to earn a starting gig.

There’s nothing guaranteed with Carman, the second-round pick from 2021 who battled injuries and weight issues, never mind performance lapses when on the field.

In an ideal world, the Bengals would like for a premium asset like a second-rounder to live up to that billing while the fourth-rounder serves as a versatile backup. But with three major upgrades to the line in free agency, the team has some wiggle room for an underdog like Volson to come in and have a serious shot at the job in that fifth and final spot.

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Bengals rookie receives big praise from two key OL pieces

Cordell Volson has the attention of big Bengals names.

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Cincinnati Bengals rookie offensive lineman Cordell Volson has already been turning heads during early portions of the offseason program.

Two more names to add to the list of those praising the rookie? Left tackle Jonah Williams and offensive line coach Frank Pollack.

“That’s a good look for an O-lineman to come in,” Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams said (via ESPN.com Bengals writer Ben Baby). “I haven’t met him yet, but I have a good idea of the type of person he’s going to be.”

“You love his intangibles,” Bengals offensive line coach Frank Pollack said, per Baby. “He’s a worker – that’s how he was raised, (which is) what you’re looking for.”

Volson already has the pedigree of a strong player with strong character. Volson played two seasons worth of football in the calendar year of 2021 due to the 2020 season being pushed back to the spring because of COVID.

Now, Volson is ready to compete with incumbent Jackson Carman for the starting left guard job. But the early looks are very promising for the North Dakota State product.

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Bengals draft pick Cordell Volson didn’t need long to win fans over

Yeah, this rookie’s a hit with Bengals fans.

Cincinnati Bengals fans maybe didn’t know how to react when the team used a fourth-round pick on an offensive lineman out of North Dakota State by the name of Cordell Volson.

But fast forward to a few hours after the pick went official and something else seems to be official — Volson is a hit with Bengals fans.

North Dakota State itself helped on this front by giving fans a close look at Volson the person. They provided video of him getting the call from the Bengals in what appeared to be a hangar. After, the provided a highlight reel where Volson throws out “Dirty, Stinky, Nasty” as a catchphrase.

Suffice it to say, Volson is a hit already.

Bengals’ Frank Pollack dropped another epic quote after drafting Cordell Volson

Another one in the “glass-eater” range from Frank Pollack.

The hits just keep coming from Cincinnati Bengals offenisve line coach Frank Pollack.

And no, we’re not referring to his wins along the offensive line in free agency this year.

Rather, we’re talking about his epic quotes. Not too long ago, he dropped that amazing “glass-eaters” quote when talking about what he looks for in his offensive linemen.

Saturday, after the Bengals took North Dakota State offensive lineman Cordell Volson in the fourth round, he dropped another quote-nugget on everyone by saying he wants guys who have some “s*** in their neck.”

Sounds painful, but it’s apparently a good thing.

Pollack explained, as captured by ESPN’s Ben Baby:

“You gotta have a little something in your neck to give them a little shove at the end of the block, not let them give you the shove, you know? …No one gives a s—. It doesn’t matter. You’re playing against grown-ass men. You’re trying to take their job. These guys are married with kids. They don’t care if you’re some hotshot 22-year-old.”

Which is Pollack’s way of saying they really like Volson. We liked the pick when breaking it down too, though aren’t nearly as creative as one of NFL’s most respected trench coaches.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 67 Cordell Volson

North Dakota State OL Cordell Volson is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.

In the 2020 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Jon Runyan in the sixth round with the 192nd overall pick.

Runyan was a 25-game starter at offensive tackle for the Michigan Wolverines. The Packers kicked him inside to guard and he enjoyed a stellar sophomore season as the starting left guard for the Packers.

The Packers have had a lot of success drafting offensive lineman on day three and Runyan is just the latest example.

A player that Brian Gutekunst and his staff could target on day three in the 2022 NFL Draft is Cordell Volson. The North Dakota State offensive lineman checks in at No. 67 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

As a redshirt junior in 2019, Volson started 16 games at right tackle. In the spring of 2020, Volson started games at left tackle, right tackle, and right guard. This past season Volson started 15 games at right tackle and didn’t give up a sack.

Volson’s greatest strength is his versatility. He has experience playing both tackle and guard spots. That kind of outside-inside versatility will make him an attractive day three target for teams that are looking to improve their depth upfront.

“NFL teams like to have film on both, so it could help him make it to the later rounds,” Shane Hallam, a managing partner for Draft Countdown, said. “When teams put him through individual workouts, most will probably have him work in both spots to see where he fits best. Honestly, guard likely will end up being his best spot.”

The NDSU offensive lineman is a strong run blocker. He is a mauler that plays violently. Volson wants to bury the man across from him. He plays with a ton of energy and is always looking for work.

Volson has a high football IQ. He understands how to use angles to open up running lanes.

“Volson’s lower body drive is excellent,” Hallam said. “He finishes his blocks almost every play, and as a run blocker, he is able to drive from his legs to knock defenders off balance. In a gap run scheme, his lower body strength should help open those gaps and allow runners to get past the line of scrimmage.”

Volson has the power to overwhelm defenders at the point of attack. He has a strong lower body and does a great job of creating movement and sealing lanes.

“He has such a high motor and wants to pancake the defender on every run block,” Hallam said. “It is fun to watch his punishing streak. It’s a definite strength that not every prospect has (and why he could be a very solid guard in the NFL). Certain NFL teams and GMs will value that type of effort over a slightly better athlete or slightly longer arms and that should help Volson.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Volson allowed just 15 pressures during his time at NDSU. He has strong hands and once he gets his hands on you he works hard to stay connected.

Volson plays with a lot of power and is probably best suited at guard. He’s better in a phone booth than out in space. Volson is heavy-legged and quicker edge rushers can give him some issues.

“This is definitely his weakness as even at the FCS level he struggles with explosive pass rushers,” Hallam said. “As a Tackle, his kick slide isn’t fully developed and he can get off the line a little bit slow. This is a definite NFL fear and he will need to show he has the athletic ability at the Combine to play tackle. When engaged, he can use that strength and find good hand placement to hold down more athletic rushers, but there are some definite problems off the snap.”

Fit with the Packers

A team can never have enough quality offensive linemen. Gutekunst has done a great job of building The Great Wall of Lambeau.

Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted at least one offensive lineman each year. That streak will likely continue this season.

With his versatility, Volson could be a player that Gutkeunst targets on day three of the draft.

“If I was looking to beef up my offensive line to run the ball and wanted a nice swing back-up who could come in and be a mauler, I would draft Volson in the sixth round or so,” Hallam said. “He still has developmental potential into a starter as well in a run-heavy scheme. Getting a smart player who can take to coaching certainly doesn’t hurt either.”

Best case scenario for a player like Volson as a rookie: He battles Royce Newman for the starting right guard spot.

Worst case scenario: Volson provides a versatile backup at both guard spots while providing quality depth at right tackle.

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