Dylan

Fairchild

Chase was seen warming up earlier today and evidently made it through the session without issue. He remains firmly in the elite WR1 tier, having finished as the overall WR1 last week despite catching passes from fill-in starter QB Jake Browning. The Bengals traded for former Browns QB Joe Flacco this week, who, with any luck, will help stabilize the Bengals’ offense overall. The Bengals declared CB Marco Wilson, OG Dylan Fairchild, WR Jermaine Burton, TE Cam Grandy, DT Jordan Jefferson and EDGE Shemar Stewart inactive for Week 6 against the Packers

Per ESPN’s Ben Baby, the Bengals reduced Volson’s $3.7 million base salary, increased his 2025 guaranteed money and gave him “the opportunity to earn more cash, depending on how the battle at guard shakes out.” That’s a doozy. Regardless, Volson is tasked with fending off third-round rookie, OG Dylan Fairchild, for the starting left guard role. Per PFF run-blocking grades, Volson has improved as a run blocker in each of his three NFL seasons, earning a career-best 65.6 PFF run-blocking grade last season. He has failed to develop as a pass protector having allowed 43 quarterback pressures last year, the most among current Bengals offensive linemen. Fairchild allowed just 14 quarterback pressures in his two seasons serving as a Georgia Bulldogs starter.

If there is one thing that stands out about Georgia offensive lineman, it’s their athleticism. Fairchild (6’5/325) is another one added to that list. He is quick off the ball, and is an elite pass blocker. He posted an 87.0 PFF pass blocking grade in 2024, allowing just one sack all season. As a pass blocker, Fairchild shows elite footwork and has good balance. However, Fairchild has subpar vision. Meaning, he isn’t quick enough to shift from one opponent to the next. His only allowed sack was against Texas. On that play, Fairchild was beat off the B-gap right away. As a run blocker, Fairchild is quick off the ball. But, he tends to lose balance when he’s beaten by guys who are quicker than him, almost as if he’s in a panic mode. He does well as a run blocker on the inside. But, he does struggle to shed off guys consistently. He does this very well in his game against UMass. Overall, Fairchild has the potential to be a developmental project who eventually becomes a starter in the NFL.

Fairchild is a local get for the Bulldogs, as he currently plays at West Forsyth High School in Cummings, Georgia. He’s considered one of the top interior players in this class; coming in second in 247Sports ranking of all guards in the class. On top of Georgia, he was also considering schools like South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama; but he was always considered a likely commit for the Bulldogs. Charles Power of 247Sports compares the 6-foot-5, 298-pound lineman to Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions, and believes he has the talent to someday be a Day 2 draft pick. A big get for Kirby Smart and his staff.