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Cincinnati Bengals: Early 53-man roster predictions 2018, running backs

By Kenn Korb

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball as T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a tackle in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball as T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a tackle in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Early look at the current Cincinnati Bengals players and who will make the final 53-man roster for 2018, now moving to the running backs.

The offseason is in full effect. Throughout the league, teams are getting into the swing of OTAs and players are trying to prove their worth. This, of course, includes the Cincinnati Bengals.

At this time of year on the NFL calendar, it’s the perfect time for rampant speculation. We can look at what we know about these players and make projections as to what they can provide to various teams. Again, this includes the Bengals.

With the rosters as full as they can be, now is a great time for an early look at who the team may decide is worthy of those coveted 53 available spots once the regular season kicks off. We began with the quarterbacks, and continue with the…

Running Backs

* = starters; + = make roster

*Joe Mixon
+Giovani Bernard
Tra Carson
Quinton Flowers
+Brian Hill
Ray Lawry
+Mark Walton
Jarveon Williams

Before half of 2017 was over, Mixon was already proving to be the best option in a crowded backfield. Despite the presence of veterans Jeremy Hill and Bernard, he already hit 15+ carries in a game by Week 3, and would end the season with that total six times across the year. He needs to do a better job converting those attempts into production going forward though (only four games w/ 50+ rushing yards, only two over 63).

In the meantime, Bernard is still a good No. 2 option. He finished the year strong (December stats: 71 carries, 333 rushing yards, 24 catches, 170 receiving), and with more time to fully heal from his 2016 ACL tear, he should be able to continue that level of play he ended 2017 with.

Those two have plenty of elusiveness and pass-catching ability, but they do have a clear lack of power. Hill, for his part, helps alleviate those problems. He’s not had much game action yet, but he holds onto the ball (one fumble in 349 carries in his final college season) and has shown the sort of lower body strength to plow through tacklers.

Walton has some overlap with Mixon and Bernard, but Cincinnati spent a fourth round pick on him for a reason, and they won’t just let him go if they can help it. In fact, if things work out he may be their eventual Bernard replacement; his contract runs out after 2019, but the dead money hit for cutting him will be just $750,000 next offseason.

Keeping four runners is already pushing it on a 53-man roster these days, so the other guys are out of luck. Williams and Lawry are at best lesser versions of the skill sets Mixon and Bernard have. Carson has lasted on this team for a long time due to special teams play, but the final roster won’t have space for an aging runner who only plays in the least important of football’s three facets.

Next: NFL 2018: Rookie class bold predictions

Flowers is intriguing as a guy converting from quarterback — he could add some trick play spice to the offensive equation — but the other guys are already proven as runners already while Flowers would need to show he can do well consistently well from handoffs rather than dropbacks.

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