Position Breakdown: Running backs

The Bengals set their sights on improving the ball carrier position this offseason after a thin group represented the unit last season behind starter Benjarvus Green-Ellis. The Law Firm is back and will probably be the opening day starter in Chicago for the team. Green-Ellis averaged 3.9 yards per carry while rushing for over 1,000 yards. He was a steady back who even broke out for some long runs, but he lacked the explosion that teams fear from dynamic backs who can take the ball to the end zone on any given touch.

Bernard Scott was supposed to capture the backup position to Green-Ellis last year, but instead, he suffered a season ending injury against the Dolphins that required a long rehab period. Scott has never developed into the standout speed back that he showed flashes of being his rookie season after running a 4.44 forty yard dash. In Scott's most extensive action in 2011, he rushed for only 3.4 yards per carry and was stopped in the backfield on multiple occasions. The Bengals re-signed the former sixth round pick out of Abilene Christian to a one year deal for the veteran minimum. Scott will get some touches in camp and in the preseason, but I would be shocked if he makes the 53 man roster because of his durability issues and lack of a physical running style.

Gio Bernard was the first running back taken in this year's NFL Draft, and the Bengals are expecting a great deal from the second round pick. Bernard can do it all as a perfect fit in the West Coast system. Bernard is Hue Jackson's hand picked back, so expect him to take over the starting position with most of the carries at some point in the season. At the start, Bernard will be Green-Ellis' complement, which will take the pressure off of Green-Ellis to have to grind out 20-25 carries per game like in 2012. Bernard is a lock to make the team as the secondary option at the position, and will also make plenty of receptions and return punts and kicks.

The backup running backs last season were Cedric Peerman and third down runner, Brian Leonard. Leonard left the team as a free agent and signed with the Bucs. He was mainly used to catch the ball out of the backfield on third down passing attempts. Peerman is a solid NFL pro. He can do a little bit of everything, and was rock solid as Green-Ellis' backup ballcarrier last year. The Bengals don't seem to trust him running the ball even though his numbers are very good in a small sample size. Peerman will be buried on the depth chart this season once again after the team decided to try to upgrade the position. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry and rushed for 258 yards last year along with catching 9 passes. Peerman will be called upon as the fourth running back for insurance purposes this season. He is one of the Bengals' best special teams players, which will help him earn a spot on the roster.

The final running back to make the team will be whoever can show enough ability as a third down back and special teams player between Rex Burkhead and Boom Herron. Herron was the Bengals' sixth round pick in 2012 out of Ohio State, and cracked the active roster late in the year to find success on the special teams unit. He blocked 2 punts late in the year against Dallas and Philadelphia. Herron is not an NFL running back. He is probably a little too slow to churn out chunks of yardage and has never been a pass catcher in his college or professional career. If Herron makes the team, it will be because the Bengals think he has more blocked punts and special teams tackles in him.

Rex Burkhead is more of an intriguing prospect as a rookie sixth round draft pick. Burkhead had a remarkable career at Nebraska with over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in four seasons. He was widely considered the top offensive threat at Nebraska and one of the best running backs in the country over the past 2 college football seasons. Burkhead rushed for 1,357 yards his junior year with 15 touchdowns, and also had 177 receiving yards. His numbers fell off his senior year because of an injury that hampered him throughout the season, but he played through the pain and still managed 6.9 yards per carry, the highest of his career. Burkhead is a perfect replacement for Brian Leonard if the Bengals want a more traditional third down back. Burkhead possesses better running ability than Leonard, and can certainly hold is own blocking and catching the ball. The test for the rookie will be how he adjusts to the NFL special teams game. If he can play well on special teams, Burkhead will earn a spot on the team. My money is on Burkhead to make it. He is a hard worker and consistently in the right place at the right time to make a play.