Any way you slice it, the 2012 Bengals team is in need of a running back. Last year's starting running back, Cedric Benson, will have his contract expire this offseason, leaving the team in need of another starter.
Most fans don't want the 2012 season to feature Benson as the starter for a variety of factors, not excluding his attitude and lack of big-play capability. The prevailing opinion among "experts" and fans alike is that the Bengals will look to draft a running back relatively high in this upcoming draft.
With a lot of intriguing prospects at the position this season and the Bengals having four picks in the first three rounds, they could land a very solid player and a day one starter. Unfortunately, one of the highly coveted backs in this year's draft--Lamar Miller--is going to have shoulder surgery, likely causing his stock to fall out of the first round.
Regardless, the Bengals have traditionally waited until later in the draft to find a running back. With a lower premium being placed on the position around the league nowadays, that trend could continue with the team this season.
Since their inception in 1968, the Bengals have only drafted four running backs in the first round: Archie Griffin (1976), Charles Alexander (1979), Ki-Jana Carter (1995) and Chris Perry (2004). Carter and Perry are names that historically live in Bengals infamy as busts, while Griffin's main claim to fame was winning the Heisman Trophy in two consecutive college seasons.
By contrast, they've drafted nine running backs in the second round: Tom Smiley (1968), Charlie Davis (1974), Pete Johnson (1977), Dave Turner (1978), Ickey Woods (1988), Eric Ball (1989), Harold Green (1990), Corey Dillon (1997) and Kenny Irons (2007). A couple of other notable late-round picks include Rudi Johnson (4th, 2001), Larry Kinnebrew (6th, 1983), Stanford Jennings (5th, 1984) and Bernard Scott (6th, 2009). Most of these players contributed to the team, with Woods, Green, Dillon and both Pete and Rudi Johnson making the Pro Bowl.
There is also a trend currently developing in the NFL that has teams holding off on drafting a running back high. In 2010, only three running backs were drafted in the first round (C.J. Spiller, Ryan Matthews and Jahvid Best), while only one was a first-rounder in 2011 (Mark Ingram). Now with Miller's supposed surgery, it makes it more and more likely that there will only be one running back selected in the first round in Alabama's Trent Richardson.
If Richardson is available when the Bengals pick, I'd assume that they'd give him a hard look and possibly take him. But if players like LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore and Maurice Jones-Drew teach us anything, it's that a good running back can be had outside of the first round. Given their history, don't be surprised if the Bengals wait until after the first to take a running back. Some backs that the Bengals could also be looking at later are Washington's Chris Polk, Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead, Virginia Tech's David Wilson, Miami's Lamar Miller and Boise State's Doug Martin.
0 recs | 24 comments
IF you need a running back
and don’t take TR if available, you are a fool IMHO.
keithster - January 23, 2012
RE:
I’m sure he’ll be just as good running into our offensive lineman as Benson. :-)
Josh Kirkendall - January 23, 2012
LAMAR MILLER ALL DAY
Hands down , Lamar miller. Its a valid choice for a smart team.
Richards is cool but our line dose not open large enouph holes for him to run thru.
So he be just like ced and try to run over every one .
But with LAMAR – he can and WILL make the first guy miss ….. AND ILL TAKE THAT ANY DAY
whooooo Deyyyyyy !!!!!!!
77CincyRage - January 24, 2012
Picks
1# Decastro
2# Lamar Miller
77CincyRage - January 24, 2012
If TR is available we have to draft him
Other than TR,fix the line before there are any thoughts about a running back
keithp - January 23, 2012
I just saw a mock
where we drafted Kirkpatrick at 17 and Floyd at 21.
I really like the idea of having Floyd across from Green, just don’t think we can spend a luxury pick with so many holes.
TCfromDubVee - January 23, 2012
Nope. I think we have to take Barron, best available RB, or another CB.
Tampa_Bengal - January 23, 2012
I hear you
I am dying for a great Safety…
ticalcaldwell - January 23, 2012
I like Barron, but I would rather wait to draft a S next year when the draft is deeper in that area.
Though if we did draft Barron at either 17/21 I would be good with it!
TCfromDubVee - January 23, 2012
Mays should be ready for 2012
Bengalsfan024 - January 24, 2012
Yes we do not draft RBs in the first round very often
But we also rarely have 2 first round picks….To be honest, I am torn on taking a RB in the first…I just think it depends on multiple variables
ticalcaldwell - January 23, 2012
Yes it does. In my opinion the only RB in the first round we should take is Richardson. The only OL we should take in the first round is DeCastro. If both arn’t there, then we go some combination of CB/Barron or CB/CB.
From what I’ve heard teams are wary of taking rbs so early because of there liability issues.
But what do I know and its still very early
Tampa_Bengal - January 23, 2012
agreed
Richardson is the only RB worth taking in the 1st. I kinda don’t want him to drop to us because I think the Bengals would be better off with DeCastro and best available CB…and then someone like Doug Martin in the 2nd. But if TR does drop to 17, can the Bengals really pass on him? And if both don’t drop to the Bengals then best available all the way.
M Shop - January 23, 2012
I was thinking the exact same thing
However, if he does drop we have to take him
biggie22 - January 23, 2012
Just take Best Player Available.
Simple draft strategy right there!
ddbumpus - January 23, 2012
Regarding RB's
I dont care who we get all i want is some bruiser that can get that tough yard maybe bust one for 30-40 yards every game gets 8 TD’s or so and holds that rock like it is GLUED to his FREEKIN hands that is all i want.
oosterling - January 23, 2012
David Wilson
I think we’d get good value in picking him deep into the second round. I saw him for the first time against Michigan in the Sugar Bowl and he was quick, slippery, and had an ability to burst through holes he created on his own. Also a fantastic kick returner. Lamar Miller and Wilson offer themselves as return specialists if they end up not being able to carry the RB load.
We need a running back as a threat to open up the passing game. Killed us against the Texans.
Draft an RB in the 2nd.
lil10isman - January 23, 2012
I'm just excited we're getting a RB
That’s a big position to fill. IMO there are a few can’t miss backs in this years draft and I can’t wait to see which one we’ll land. It’s a great time to be a Bengals fan.
Bigcatdaddy - January 23, 2012 via Android app
Woods ball green. Didnt know they were all second rounders
njbengalstat - January 24, 2012
At the risk of self plagiarizing...
…because I made a similar post on another thread, I’m increasingly falling in line with the notion that we should go Interior O-line and CB in the first round. We need someone to compete for a starting role at guard right away. We also need to get a young guy in the shoots for CB to complement Hall. I agree with above in that teams have been moving away from “sexy” Rb picks because they simply don’t pan out all that often and I think we should be wary of forcing a pick on an RB in the first round when there will be no shortage of serviceable RBs on the FA wire, and we have veterans in Leonard and Scott. Yes we need to remake our RB corps but we need to be smart about it.
I’m not on the Richardson bandwagon and feel that it is very likely he will tumble come draft day, and believe strongly we should resist the urge unless he is clearly the BPA. I like Lamar Miller but am wondering if he is worth a round 1 selection as well.
Ideally, the Bengals are able to get an RB with some upside in round 2-3 and sign a free agent. We definitely need a speedster with pass catching ability out of the backfield to help out Dalton and draw attention away from Green and Gresham.
goffchile - January 24, 2012
At #17 he WILL be BPA. Anywhere after like 7 he will be BPA.
AND for us he is a position of need.
Luke - January 24, 2012
Right now the Bengals
could go in 8 different directions in the draft. About the only given as I see it is they will want to take a CB in the first round. For their second first round pick, who knows?
I expect their #17 pick will either be a CB or used to trade down.
What then of their #21? Could be OG, RB, Safety, WR, DT, ILB, OLB, DE.
This is one of the hardest drafts to figure simply because they have a second pick. If they have just one, then CB more likely than any other position.
BENGALS69 - January 24, 2012
I would love to see them trade down pick #21 and get a couple of second round picks
if none of the really good guys of position of need are there for us. One of those 2nd round picks would need to be pretty early in the 2nd though for me to want to do it. Any teams that have 2 2nd round piocks that fit the bill?
Luke - January 24, 2012
I've looked into that and didn't
see any team with first round picks below 17 AND a high second pick.
BENGALS69 - January 24, 2012
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