Cincinnati Bengals Draft Analysis: Which Running Backs Could They Target and When?

Cincinnati has seven picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Author:
Blake Jewell
Publish date:
Apr 19, 2023 1:09 PM EDT

In this story:

All signs point towards the Bengals selecting a running back in the upcoming NFL Draft. Samaje Perine left in free agency, Joe Mixon’s future is uncertain, and this year's running back draft class gives them plenty of options.

Whether the Bengals are looking for a pass protector to replace Perine, a workhorse to replace Mixon, or a pass catcher give Joe Burrow another weapon, there are some interesting backs in sprinkled throughout the draft.

Here's a look at some of the running back options the Bengals have in the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 1

Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson — USA Today Images

Bijan Robinson, Texas

The superstar running back out of Texas likely won’t be on the board when the Bengals are on the clock at 28, but Robinson is a top 10 talent in this draft class. He rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

He's a great athlete, has the size NFL teams look for, and adds plenty to the passing game both as a receiver and a blocker. The Bengals have more pressing needs, but if Robinson makes it to them, he would be hard to pass up.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

Gibbs is a great talent and offers a different style of play than Robinson. He's an explosive back and absolutely deadly as a receiver. The former Alabama star would immediately add yet another dangerous threat for Burrow and his collection of weapons. His downsides are pass protection and size, which seem to be a big deal for the Bengals. It feels unlikely that the Bengals select Gibbs in the first round, but with his level of talent, he shouldn’t be ruled out.

Round 2

Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

We’re on our third running back on this list and also our third different play style. Charbonnet is a pure power back. He doesn’t have high end speed, so there won’t be many long touchdowns, but everything else points towards Charbonnet being a quality running back on the NFL. He ran for 1,359 yards and 14 touchdowns last season at UCLA. He's also a good receiver out of the backfield and could be a quality three-down back in the NFL.

Round 3

Mar 5, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas running back Roschon Johnson (RB13) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Roschon Johnson, Texas

Robinson got all the shine at Texas, which means a very talented running back like Johnson is being overlooked. He is a big, powerful back and is very effective in pass protection. In some ways, he could be a replacement for both Mixon and Perine. He has every ability to be a quality three down back, and could be exactly what the Bengals need. Cincinnati could take him if he's there in round three (92 overall).

Tyjae Spears, Tulsa

There’s a lot to like about Spears. He’s a smaller back, but brings almost every other important trait to the table. He’s fast, quick, has great vision and is hard to bring down. He has the potential to be a home run hitter in the NFL, and would be a terrific pick for the Bengals in the third round.

Zach Evans, Ole Miss

Evans is another big-play guy. He lacks ability in pass protection and as a receiver, but he’s a physical running back who at times showed breakaway speed. He might not be exactly what the Bengals are looking for, but he’s a talented player.

Tank Bigsby, Auburn

Bigsby could be a very good running back in the NFL. He doesn’t offer much in the passing game, but he has prototypical size and abilities to be a talented runner. His areas of weakness seem to be what the Bengals are looking for, so he also seems like an unlikely option, but his production and improvement over the 2022 season make him an intriguing prospect.

Round 4

Israel Abanikanda, Pitt

Abanikanda is one of my favorite prospects in this years draft. At only 20 years old, he ran for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. He has the age, the production, and he has a great combination of size and speed. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day, and proved he can be a dynamic and dangerous weapon out of the back field.

Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina

Mitchell is a dynamic running back who offers good abilities in many areas. He ran a 4.38 40 yard dash, so he has breakaway speed. He’s solid as a pass catcher and is a willing blocker in pass protection. His size is very underwhelming at 5-7, 179 pounds, but he still would be an effective option in round four.

Kendre Miller, TCU

Miller isn’t an explosive back or home run hitter, but he could be a solid Perine replacement. He’s strong against contact, can be effective in pass protection, and has ideal vision for the running back.

Sean Tucker, Syracuse

Tucker has the potential to be a quality running back in the NFL, but his abilities as a pass protector need some work. He’s a very good runner and explosive at times, while also bringing solid size to the table.

Chase Brown, Illinois

Brown is an explosive talent and has the production to match. He ran for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He isn’t a liability in pass protection, but still could use some work in that area. Overall, Brown would be a solid pick and some believe he could go earlier than round four.

Round 5

Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky

ChrisRodriguez is a physical back that found sufficient production playing for Kentucky. He was a team captain for the Wildcats, which the Bengals should like. He doesn’t offer much in the passing game, but he’s a powerful runner and would bring physicality to the Bengals running back room. He's also a quality pass blocker.

Kenny McIntosh, Georgia

McIntosh is a very fun prospect. Most draft simulators have him going around the fifth round. He’s a dangerous weapon as a pass catcher, has all the measurables needed to be high quality runner in the NFL, and had good production at Georgia last season.

Round 6

Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn (22) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports — Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Vaughn could be a fun late round pick for the Bengals. He was a very productive back in college and despite his size, he brings a lot of talent both as a runner and a receiver.

Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

Ibrahim is an older prospect with an injury history, but he might be one of the best pure runners in this draft class. When healthy, he put together a very impressive resume at Minnesota. He rushed for 1,665 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Although he will be 25 years old when his rookie season starts, he could be worth a late round pick.

Round 7

Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State

The Bengals recently met with Valladay after his explosive testing numbers. His impressive pro day earned him a 9.48 RAS and he could be an exciting pick in round seven.

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