Lucas Patrick

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Bengals' one-year, $2.1M deal with guard Lucas Patrick earns a C- CVI — a slight overpay for depth insurance that carries minimal downside risk. Patrick falls into the unproven tier performance-wise, making his $2.1M AAV a bit rich for a player who hasn't established himself as a reliable starter despite bouncing around multiple organizations. At this stage of his career, Patrick profiles as a middling backup who can spot start but lacks the upside to justify premium depth money. The contract structure works in Cincinnati's favor with just $200K guaranteed, allowing them to cut bait without significant financial penalty if he doesn't earn his roster spot. While the Bengals needed interior line depth after their offensive line struggles, paying above replacement-level money for an unproven commodity feels like a modest miscalculation in a tight salary cap environment. This is the type of low-risk, moderate-cost veteran signing that rarely moves the needle but won't sink a franchise either.

Performance Analysis

Lucas Patrick earns an F grade as a veteran interior lineman whose career has been marked by injuries and inconsistency. The Bengals' guard has experienced multiple setbacks that have prevented him from establishing the kind of sustained starting role his talent suggested was possible. When healthy and at his best, Patrick has shown the ability to be a competent NFL guard, but those stretches have been too infrequent. Cincinnati needs stability on their interior line, and Patrick hasn't been able to provide it reliably. His grade reflects the reality of a career that never quite reached its potential.