Despite not taking part in a regular season game during his two-month NFL career, Bengals rookie Giovani Bernard will be a top-ten running back in 2016. ESPN, continuing their top-ten ranking at each position in reflection to 2016, ranks Bernard No. 6 behind Trent Richardson, LeSean McCoy, Doug Martin, Marcus Lattimore, and Christine MIchael.
I see a lot of similarities to McCoy. He probably will not see a massive workload as a rookie, but I don't think it will be long before he passes BenJarvus Green-Ellis as Cincinnati's primary back. Bernard is very elusive and explosive, with great upside as a receiver. Expect Andy Dalton to learn to love dumping the ball off to Bernard.
Unless Green-Ellis suffers an injury, we're not expecting it this year. Bernard and Green-Ellis figure to split the snaps, and though Bernard will take part in the team's passing game, Green-Ellis remains suited for the bell cow role. At least for now.