https://sports.yahoo.com/article/jalen-rivers-continues-improving-guard-105900094.html

Rivers showed well in the preseason and has some time to grow into the role.

Patrick has an injury history and Risner just got on the team, Rivers could end up playing this year

There are alot of detail film guys talking about rivers showing well at RG in the preaseon,, im happy he is in a position to be 3rd on the depth chart there, it would be a disaster if he played, but ill take a promising young player on the OL depth chart any day...

Just now, GoBengals said:

There are alot of detail film guys talking about rivers showing well at RG in the preaseon,, im happy he is in a position to be 3rd on the depth chart there, it would be a disaster if he played, but ill take a promising young player on the OL depth chart any day...

Why do you think it would be a disaster if he played?

So we've got this young guy that's looked good in camp and preseason, and now we bury him on the depth chart behind a 32 year old vet with an injury history that did not look particularly good in camp or preseason, and another 30 year old vet that everyone including his teammates seems to think is an upgrade over the starter before he's even put on a jersey. Oh and Patrick was apparently pulled for Rivers in a preseason game already. But now he's back to 3rd string. That's... a choice.

It's hard to look at all that and not think someone is trying to prove signing Patrick wasn't a mistake.

46 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

Why do you think it would be a disaster if he played?

So we've got this young guy that's looked good in camp and preseason, and now we bury him on the depth chart behind a 32 year old vet with an injury history that did not look particularly good in camp or preseason, and another 30 year old vet that everyone including his teammates seems to think is an upgrade over the starter before he's even put on a jersey. Oh and Patrick was apparently pulled for Rivers in a preseason game already. But now he's back to 3rd string. That's... a choice.

It's hard to look at all that and not think someone is trying to prove signing Patrick wasn't a mistake.

a disaster in that 2 veterans ahead of him got hurt or played so bad they got replaced to the point you are starting a player who is changing full time positions and ahving to start from the late rounds...

seems straight forward.. im not saying he will be a disaster, but several disasters have occurred if he is in the lineup.

14 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

a disaster in that 2 veterans ahead of him got hurt or played so bad they got replaced to the point you are starting a player who is changing full time positions and ahving to start from the late rounds...

seems straight forward.. im not saying he will be a disaster, but several disasters have occurred if he is in the lineup.

That makes more sense, although I read they'd benched Patrick already so...

If they think this guy is the future at RG I'd rather not have him inactive half the year while they waste more time with Patrick. Reading between the lines it sure sounds like Risner is the intended starter as soon as he's capable. IDK if that means "game shape" or knowing the playbook or what, but it seems like the job is his for the taking and that's their expectation.

Saying I would much rather see Patrick in sweatpants on the sideline and Rivers dressed, even if he's just in on field goals or whatever. When the two guys ahead of him are 30+ and on one year contracts I think it'd be good if they could fast track the promising young guy as much as possible. At the very least he could be pushing Risner for time & with the way he skipped out of TC I'd like to see some pressure applied there so he's not inclined to loaf it. We've seen that before from these older FA's cashing in & taking a victory lap.

I love Rivers size and arm length (35"). For OT he seems to have slow feet, but that issue is irrelevant inside at guard.

I would guess he went in the 5th Rd because teams were weighing his skill set and lack of mobility against other OTs. But as an exclusive G, I think he would likely have been seen as a 3rd round guy.

I would start him week 1 over Patrick until Risner is up to speed. Then I would have them both compete for the starting job and bury Patrick firmly on the bench where he belongs.

44 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

That makes more sense, although I read they'd benched Patrick already so...

If they think this guy is the future at RG I'd rather not have him inactive half the year while they waste more time with Patrick. Reading between the lines it sure sounds like Risner is the intended starter as soon as he's capable. IDK if that means "game shape" or knowing the playbook or what, but it seems like the job is his for the taking and that's their expectation.

Saying I would much rather see Patrick in sweatpants on the sideline and Rivers dressed, even if he's just in on field goals or whatever. When the two guys ahead of him are 30+ and on one year contracts I think it'd be good if they could fast track the promising young guy as much as possible. At the very least he could be pushing Risner for time & with the way he skipped out of TC I'd like to see some pressure applied there so he's not inclined to loaf it. We've seen that before from these older FA's cashing in & taking a victory lap.

only for Risner.. people acted like he was benched after the one preseason game but he had got hurt and sat for that, missed a few practices as well.

I’d love to see them go all in on Rivers and Fairchild inside. Let em grow up together and get those spots solidified for once.

1 hour ago, T-Dub said:

That makes more sense, although I read they'd benched Patrick already so...

They didn't bench Patrick against Washington. He suffered a minor injury early on and that's why Rivers replaced Patrick with the starting group.

wouldnt be shocking if Rivers could jump up the depth chart a month or two into the season.. would be a great sign.

would love to see promotion via merrit vs due to injury.

3 hours ago, GoBengals said:

wouldnt be shocking if Rivers could jump up the depth chart a month or two into the season.. would be a great sign.

would love to see promotion via merrit vs due to injury.

That'd be cool but what are the odds for a 3rd string rookie? As you said, it would probably take a disaster to get him on the field.

14 hours ago, BlackJesus said:

I love Rivers size and arm length (35"). For OT he seems to have slow feet, but that issue is irrelevant inside at guard.

I would guess he went in the 5th Rd because teams were weighing his skill set and lack of mobility against other OTs. But as an exclusive G, I think he would likely have been seen as a 3rd round guy.

I would start him week 1 over Patrick until Risner is up to speed. Then I would have them both compete for the starting job and bury Patrick firmly on the bench where he belongs.

Most of the draft sites noted he would be better suited at the G position and most said he had good potential there.

49 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Most of the draft sites noted he would be better suited at the G position and most said he had good potential there.

Would like to know where Rivers would be on the RG depth chart had he been getting practice reps there from the spring until now...

1 hour ago, dex said:

Would like to know where Rivers would be on the RG depth chart had he been getting practice reps there from the spring until now...

Regardless he is a rookie and we should be careful with the praise too early. Especially at a new position. But at least he looks very promising.

Below is Dane Brugler's analysis on Riversd from The Beast, he ranked him as the #9 Guard in the draft.

Of note, he had Fairchild as the #7 Guard prospect and McLaughlin as the #3 Center prospect.

STRENGTHS:

● Massive, dense body type with long arms and large hands

● Uses length to fend off defenders and maintain space between himself and his target

● Great job timing strikes, using independent hands to reset against highly active rushers

● Efficient out of stance and carries weight well

● Transfers strength from shoulders to hands to stun defenders at contact

● Plays with firm anchor when balanced in sets

● Blocks with rugged demeanor in run game and looks to finish with purpose

● Didn't draw many penalties in college (four career flags)

● Double-digit career college starts, at both tackle and guard, and snapped at center during Senior Bowl practices

● Served as a team captain for four games in 2024

WEAKNESSES:

● Looks — and plays — tall

● High pads as pass blocker will disrupt balance and diminish chances for quick recoveries

● Can be lured off track — needs to show better awareness versus stunts and games

● Point-of-attack power in the run game can be sapped by lack of bend

● Improved angles will help effectiveness as a move blocker

● Labors a tad against wide speed at tackle; better suited at guard

● Missed five games in final season because of injury (Sept. 2024); right knee injury as sophomore (Sept. 2021), which required season-ending

surgery; missed final three games as redshirt sophomore with lower right leg injury (Nov. 2022)

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Miami, Rivers lined up at left tackle in offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson's RPO-based version of the Air

Raid, although he also shifted inside to left guard on most of his 2024 tapes. Despite missing time throughout his career because of injuries, he

showed clear improvements each season — he played his best ball toward the end of the 2024 season and at the Senior Bowl.

When he stays patient in pass pro, Rivers skillfully uses his length to lock out, shuffle and control his man with his power base, although he can get

crossed up when caught upright or lunging. He flashes dominance in the run game, and that should continue if he can clean up some technical

issues. Overall, Rivers is a large-bodied athlete with the long arms, play strength and functional movements to execute his blocking

assignment. His overaggressive tendencies lead to balance issues, however, which must be addressed by pro coaching. He has NFL starting

potential and fits best at guard.

GRADE: 4th round

So far so good with Rivers

15 minutes ago, The PatternMaster said:

So far so good with Rivers

On 9/1/2025 at 8:29 AM, dex said:

Would like to know where Rivers would be on the RG depth chart had he been getting practice reps there from the spring until now...

im eager to see how he progresses, his ratings are dogshit.

but everyone shit the bed so.