NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Cincinnati Bengals Preseason: 3 Takeaways vs Colts

By Kenn Korb

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 31: Daryl Richardson #43 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a first down against Demetrious Cox #37 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 31: Daryl Richardson #43 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a first down against Demetrious Cox #37 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 31: Jarveon Williams #39 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 31: Jarveon Williams #39 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Jarveon May Have A Place Here

Once the NFL draft ends every year, we don’t even get an hour out and we see hundreds of players  who were passed over in the event immediately agreeing to contracts with teams. Most of these players end up being little more than training camp bodies and preseason fodder. Some end up actually making legitimate claims for roster spots; even fewer actually make it into one of the coveted 53 spots on one of the 32 teams across the league.

Williams was one of the former, and Lady Luck may have gifted him with the perfect circumstances necessary for him to be the latter. Those circumstances are fueled almost exclusively by injuries taking out his competition, both at his own position as well as for roster spots as a whole.

More from Cincinnati Bengals

Driskel’s injury likely opens up a spot for a skill position player. Special teams ace (and also running back) Cedric Peerman went on IR already. Even if the wide receivers end up going seven deep with Alex Erickson and Cody Core both joining the five locks (A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell, John Ross, Tyler Boyd, Josh Malone), the team would be negligent to not add at least one more running back to the Jeremy Hill/Giovani Bernard/Joe Mixon triumvirate.

For most of the preseason, the assumption was that it’d be Tra Carson who could step into that role. He’s done well so far this offseason, with some quality preseason showings under his belt. Williams may have performed well enough in this game against the Colts to challenge him, however.

Williams was a workhorse in this contest, getting involved in numerous ways. He was their leading rusher, running the ball 27 times. On those carries, he picked up 117 yards. One-third of those attempts went for five-plus yards, while four of those went for 10+ yards. He also was a top receiver, catching five passes (most on the team) for 42 yards. Of those, two went for at least 10+ yards.

An early fumble is a major smudge on the performance, but there was enough positive here that Cincinnati shouldn’t weigh that too heavily against him. He may have been lined up against backups and roster fodder, but the skill-set he brings to the table is the sort you would be fortunate to find if your team needs to delve multiple spots deep on their depth chart.

He’s no lock, but just having a chance at this point after being little more than an afterthought up to now is an accomplishment for Williams. With just a little more luck, that #4 running back spot could actually be his.

Who would’ve guessed that back in the spring? Nobody, that’s who.

Home/Cincinnati Bengals