The Bengals need to upgrade the running back position. (Major understatement) How should we go about it? First of all, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Looking at our RB draft choices since 2000 (Cory Dillon 1997 doesn’t count) it has not been pretty.

2001 Rudi Johnson – Best of the list and we picked him up as the overall 100th selection, round 4

2004 Chris Perry - #24 pick, similar to the situation we have this year

2007 Kenny Irons – tough loss, who knows what he would have done

2009 Bernard Scott – like the guy, but not a feature back

2011 Jay Finley – Cincinnati’s version of Finsanity (I doubt it)

The names that continue to surface for the Bengals RB void are the following:

Trent Richardson – First of all, not worth both of our picks to acquire and won’t be there at 17

Lamar Miller – Not 1st round worthy

David Wilson – Ditto

Chris Polk – Ditto

Isiah Pead – Ditto, but 2nd round, a great possibility (read below)

Just as we look at Bengal draft history, let’s look at the history of Senior Bowl MVPs since 1981.

1981 Neil Lomax Portland State

1982 John Fourcade Ole Miss / Steve Clark Utah

1983 Dan Marino Pittsburgh / Terry Kinard Clemson

1984 Walter Lewis Alabama / Doug Smith Auburn

1985 Paul Ott Carruth Alabama

1986 Napoleon McCallum Navy

1987 Don Smith Mississippi State

1988 Thurman Thomas Oklahoma State

1989 Cleveland Gary Miami (FL)

1990 Blair Thomas Penn State

1991 Alvin Harper Tennessee

1992 Tony Smith Southern Miss

1993 Eric Hunter Purdue

1994 Stan White Auburn

1995 Derrick Brooks Florida State

1996 Bobby Hoying Ohio State

1997 Pat Barnes California

1998 Dameyune Craig Auburn

1999 Cade McNown UCLA

2000 Chad Pennington Marshall

2001 LaDainian Tomlinson TCU

2002 Antwaan Randle El Indiana

2003 Larry Johnson Penn State

2004 Philip Rivers NC State

2005 Charlie Frye Akron

2006 Sinorice Moss Miami (FL)

2007 Tony Hunt Penn State

2008 Matt Forte Tulane

2009 Pat White West Virginia

2010 Brandon Graham Michigan

2011 Christian Ponder Florida State

2012 Isaiah Pead Cincinnati??????????

The kid looked great and special teams upside might tip the scale for us.