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The Bengals have waived running back Mark Walton, their fourth-round pick from last year’s NFL Draft, per Adam Schefter.
Bengals waived HB Mark Walton. “It’s important for our team to get off to a fresh start as we begin the 2019 season,” said head coach Zac Taylor.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2019
Walton was arrested Thursday for an incident that occurred in Miami three weeks ago. It was the third time he was arrested in this offseason alone, which is why the Bengals are moving on from the 22-year old ball carrier.
Head coach Zac Taylor had this to say regarding the move:
Zac Taylor even drops a comment into the release about waiving Mark Walton. That’s been a rarity in the past with these types of moves. pic.twitter.com/1CGyN3Px3b
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 6, 2019
Taylor obviously did not draft Walton, so his attachment to him was minimal. He could’ve moved on from Walton after his previous two incidents he was involved in this year, but the team stuck by him up until he used his third strike.
Walton was barely used as a running back in his one season in Cincinnati, and when he was given the ball, yardage was hard to find. He finished 2018 with 34 rushing yards on 14 carries along with 41 receiving yards on five receptions. He was mainly used on special teams and took part in 137 snaps there compared to his 93 snaps on offense.
The selection of Walton was questionable at the time it happened, as the need for a third running back didn’t seem big enough to warrant a fourth-round pick. Unfortunately, Walton will not be given the chance to prove himself worthy of that investment with the Bengals. And it will be surprising if another franchise gives him that chance anytime soon.