The Bengals are looking to upgrade and add to a number of positions this offseason--particularly on offense. One of their early targets was to bolster the backup quarterback position(s) and they did so by acquiring both Josh Johnson and John Skelton. Another position needing of some major upgrading is at running back.
Many are pointing to the team using one of it's second round picks on a player at that position, be it Eddie Lacy of Alabama, Giovani Bernard of North Carolina, or Jonathan Franklin of UCLA. To be honest, we're almost expecting to hear one of those three names called in a couple of weeks and maybe even another in a later round, given the need for multiple backs.
They could also look to free agency and Cincinnati apparently did so recently. According to a report from Bryan Broaddus, who is a former NFL personnel man and currently covers the Dallas Cowboys, the Bengals held a workout with free agent running back Felix Jones recently. This could be an effort to look at immediately addressing the need at running back, or so they get an idea on Jones to look at as a post-draft addition.
Jones has had an up-and-down career since landing with the Cowboys in the first round of the 2008 Draft. There have been some durability concerns and some people inquiring as to why Jones couldn't emerge as the full-time starter in Dallas. After five years there, the Cowboys found him expendable because of the emergence of DeMarco Murray.
Still, Jones has been productive when given a chance and will be only 26 years old this season. He has been particularly productive as a receiver, posting 48 receptions in 2010, 33 in 2011 and another 25 in 2012. Jones has also has a 4.8 yards per carry average in his career and has shown the ability to hit a big play with his speed.
If the Bengals sign Jones before the draft, we could see the team still taking another back with a high pick. However, if they eschew to sign him until after the draft, it might be because they either missed out on getting a guy that they coveted, or they didn't draft two backs as some tend to think that they might.