With his team on the up and potentially becoming annual playoff contenders, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has made it clear that one of his biggest priorities this offseason is to improve his running game.
During a press conference at the NFL Combine, Lewis indicated that unrestricted free agent Cedric Benson’s career with the Bengals is over.
"“I think we want to improve our running game and if it includes Ced, it includes Ced. We need to have more explosive running plays. Ced has had a fine career.”"
It is that last sentence that tells us that Benson is done in Cincy and it leaves open the question of how the Bengals will approach their need at running back.
If you look first at free agency, the Bengals have options. They have alot of cap space to fill thanks in part to having alot of free agents this year. Which a chunk of that will be required for depth, it is a good possibility that they spend up on a free agent running back. Incumbent backs Brian Leonard and Bernard Scott have shown disappointing ability during their time in Cincinnati and one of the two may be looking for a new home.
The most likely target for the Bengals would be Marshawn Lynch, who has shown in his time in Seattle that he is indeed capable of the explosive plays Lewis desires. Lynch would cost a pretty penny but with so much cap room the Bengals can definitely afford him. Other options include Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Michael Bush and Peyton Hillis.
Regardless of whether they acquire a free agent starter or not, expect the team to also draft a running back. With two first round picks many believe Cincinnati will use one on a running back. The problem here lies in the running back pool being rather shallow in this year’s draft. The better option may be to wait until the second round and either trade up to get David Wilson (provided they haven’t traded down from their second first round pick – always a possibility) or sit tight and take Lamar Miller or Doug Martin.
However he chooses to do it, Marvin Lewis knows that he must make the correct choice as he is still a coach in jeopardy despite his team’s recent success. With his own contract nearly up, Lewis may follow Benson on the road out of Cincinnati. In a division dominated by tough defenses and heavy run oriented offenses, it could all depend on how the Bengals address the running back situation.
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