Bernard brings explosiveness to Bengals

When the Bengals picked Giovani Bernard as the first running back in this year's draft class, they made it known that they seek an impact player running the ball now and in the future. Bernard is only 21 years old and was highly recruited out of high school. He was committed to play for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame before he was fired and Brian Kelly took the job. In two years at UNC, Bernard showed that he could do it all. He rushed the ball 239 times his redshirt freshman season for 1253 yards and a yards per carry rate of 5.2. He also caught 45 passes and scored a total of 14 touchdowns. Those numbers stack up well with anyone in the collegiate game.

Giovani Bernard played much better his sophomore season for the Tar Heels. This kid has had major success at every level he has played the game of football. Bernard averaged 6.7 yards per carry and totaled 1228 rushing yards and 490 receiving yards. Bernard was not only the primary threat in the UNC offense, but he was by far the ACC's most electrifying player last season. I would argue that behind Tavon Austin, Bernard was the most explosive player in this year's draft. He found the end zone a total of 19 times in 2012; 12 out of the backfield, 5 receiving, and 2 punt returns, including the 73-yard game winner to put away NC State with 13 seconds left on the clock. Bernard capped off that day with 303 total yards and 3 touchdowns in an unbelievable performance.

Now that he has signed his 4-year deal with Cincinnati, Bernard will battle for the majority of the carries on the Bengals with Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Cedric Peerman, and Rex Burkhead. I don't believe Bernard Scott and Boom Herron will make the team so I will leave them out of the mix here. Green-Ellis was the workhorse back last season. He isn't a dynamic, breakaway runner like many of the best NFL running backs, but he managed to put up 1,094 yards and 3.9 yards per carry as the 12th best back in the league. Green-Ellis will start the season as the lead ballcarrier, but expect Bernard to take over in that role by midseason. Bernard's receiving ability is elite. Green-Ellis has been incapable of catching the ball out of the backfield thus far. The West Coast Offense demands flexibility in the running back position, and Bernard offers the team that attribute.

Giovani Bernard can also take it to the house whenever he touches the ball. Bernard's long run was 68 yards last season, while Green-Ellis' was 48. I don't think Bernard will have the impact that Ray Rice has had on the Ravens during his career, but there's no reason Bernard couldn't be similar to Tampa Bay's Doug Martin, who was actually better than Rice during the regular season. I'm excited to watch this young player in training camp because he seems determined to prove that he is the best running back of the draft class. I also think he believes he can help the team win in whatever ways Jay Gruden utilizes him.