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The Bengals continued their Pro Day circuit with a trip to Toledo on Monday, where one of the more intriguing running back prospects was in action.
Kareem Hunt may have played in the MAC, but he was still one of the more electrifying backs in college football this past season. And according to NFL Draft Diamonds, Cincinnati was among the teams who watched Hunt work out during his Pro Day.
This past season, Hunt erupted for 1,475 yards and 10 scores on 262 carries (5.6 avg.). He also caught 41 passes for 403 yards and a score. That came after a so-so 2015 campaign in which he was suspended for the first two games for a violation of teams rules. That led to him running for just 973 yards and 12 scores on 178 carries (5.5 avg.).
Hunt’s best year came in 2014 as a sophomore, where he ran for 1,631 yards and 16 scores on just 205 carries, good for a ridiculous 8.0 yards per carry average.
The 5’10”, 216-pound Hunt is projected as a Day 3 pick, so the Bengals wouldn’t have to use a high pick to land him. They have multiple picks in Round 4, which is probably around where he’ll be selected. Hunt ran a 4.57 second 40-yard dash at the pro day, improving by about a tenth of a second from the combine.
Hunt would be a great target for the Bengals if they’re unable to land a running back earlier. They’re reportedly interested in LSU’s Leonard Fournette with the No. 9 pick. If that doesn’t happen, this a great draft for running backs that should produce a quality prospect in nearly every round.
One other Toledo product to keep an eye on is tight end Michael Roberts. As a senior in 2016, Roberts was a beat in the red zone, catching 16 touchdowns (sixth-most in the FBS) on 45 catches for 533 yards. Roberts ran a 4.80 second 40-yard dash at the pro day and bench pressed 21 reps.
At 6’4”, 270 pounds, Roberts is a massive red-zone target that this Bengals team could use another one of. Even though the Bengals have Tyler Eifert, they could still use another big-bodied pass-catcher in the red zone, something Roberts could give them. Roberts is also projected as a Day 3 pick.