One of the several positions Cincinnati must fill this offseason is running back. Reports this morning of Benson's displeasure with the Cincinnati offense all but confirmed what Bengals fans had been thinking all offseason--Cedric Benson will not be a Bengal in 2012. To say Benson "lacked explosiveness" is a drastic understatement. On his best day he would not fumble in the fourth quarter and pick up no more four yards with holes you could drive a bus through. Watching Arian Foster run all over the Bengals in the playoffs left a lot to be desired from our own backfield, and Benson is clearly not the answer. His loss is nothing to mull over.
The question now is do the Bengals address running back in the 2012 NFL Draft? And if so, how high of a priority is the position? A popular trend in mock drafts, including ESPN's Mel Kiper's first draft, is Cincinnati selecting a running back in the first round, usually Miami's Lamar Miller. Miller has top level speed and is a constant homerun threat--everything Benson is not.
Miller has reportedly ran a 4.3 40-yard dash during Combine training.
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NFL Draft BibleMiami RB Lamar Miller has reportedly recovered from shoulder surgery and has been timed in the mid-4.3s during combine training #Rotoworld
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Miller's speed is well known, but for it to be documented at such an impressive number is encouraging for his first round hopes. His stock is steadily rising and is becoming a very probable pick for Cincinnati at the No. 21 spot.
Public opinion is usually against first round running backs, but Miller has the makings of a legitimate prospect. Would such a turn from Cedric Benson really be that bad? Then again, Miller is not a consensus first round pick and selecting him at No. 21 may be considered a reach.
What do you think?