Ted Karras Bullish on Cordell Volson's Development: 'Got 10 More Seasons Ahead of Him'

Ted Karras joined Orlando Brown Jr. last week in excitement regarding Cordell Volson's development. 

The Bengals left guard looks to have bulked up heading into his second NFL season after having an up-and-down rookie campaign.

Karras pointed out how the craziness of the past few years could mask some development Volson has in store. The Bengals center and James Rapien discussed COVID's impact on some of the younger guys.

"Well, I think that's a ridiculous statement," Karras said about Volson hypothetically being too old to take a leap. "The NFL, no matter how old you are, when you come in, you have to grow up. You don't come in with any experience and you know, obviously, the COVID thing is very unique, but I think the only thing the age would bother, would be Cordell himself just because maybe it would cut off a couple of years of earning potential on the back end, but I don't see that being a problem for him.

"He's gonna be a 10-year starter at left guard for this organization. So no, he's not who he is (going to be). If you take a snapshot of what he looked like physically, you know, between the next two years, it's going to be drastically different. I didn't feel like I physically became, you know, kind of my grown man body till I was 28, and you know, that's when I felt like I was, you know, finally got to my strongest point where I've maintained it, but you know, 28 was the strongest and fastest I've been physically in my career up to this point. So, I don't believe in that."

Volson turns 25 this summer and that strength could keep coming as he spends years in an NFL lifting program—as opposed to one at the FCS level.

Cincinnati is hoping for Volson to consistently produce as he did against Kansas City. The rookie tallied two of his three highest-graded PFF games in those outings.

"I think Cordell's got 10 more seasons ahead of him and is going to be a very stalwart player," Karras continued. "You know, the same with Charlie Jones. I mean, these guys yeah, they're a little bit older as a unique college timeline. I think you can use it as an advantage, being a little bit more mature. And, you know, knowing your body a little bit better as you grow up in the NFL."