The running backs will compete in the Indianapolis combine on Saturday. Is there a future Cincinnati Bengal among them?
Zac Taylor’s History
The Bengals have drafted four running backs while Taylor has been in charge.
A year ago, in the fifth round, Illinois’s Chase Brown was selected with the top pick. They had taken former Michigan Wolverine Chris Evans in the sixth round two years earlier. They went all in in the sixth round of Taylor’s rookie season, picking Oklahoma’s Rodney Anderson and Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams.
Injury ended Anderson’s career, but the other three have continued to play. Williams returns kicks, but none of them have made a significant impression on the offence.
Prospects to Keep an Eye on
The Bengals lost a lot of strength when Samaje Perine left a year ago, but they also hope to see more explosion from their running game.
Five running backs in particular stick out as candidates to fit the description in both categories.
Dillon Johnson appears to be the greatest all-around back among them. The former Washington Huskie has shown worth in the passing game and has burst and power. Furthermore, Dillon Johnson is arguably the greatest Bengals running back in history and attended the same university as Corey Dillon.
Trojan Marshawn from USC Despite receiving few carries, Lloyd was explosive and had excellent block reading skills.
Braelon Allen of Wisconsin and Audric Estime of Notre Dame are two tough guys who don’t give up easily. I’m curious to see how both measure up, especially Estime, whose speed I doubt because of the movie.
Isaiah Davis of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, the national champion team, is another athlete whose statistics I can’t wait to see. Davis has the ability to break tackles and appears explosive on film, but against a lower level of play, it can be difficult to judge that. How does he compare to all the other candidates for the job?
