The Cincinnati Bengals saw their season end this weekend in Houston.
It wasn't a complete disappointment considering the youth surrounding the Bengals, as this is only the beginning for this ball club. With rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green in-house for the long haul, the Bengals have a great foundation to build around.
What was disappointing was the running back position.
Cedric Benson rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons but gained only 14 yards on Saturday and was only the team's third-leading rusher in the game.
The veteran running back will be a free agent this offseason, and he didn't give Cincinnati much reason to bring him back for anything less than a mediocre-to-average deal.
Benson's yardage total has dropped each of the last three years and at 29 years old, he doesn't warrant a long-term deal, either.
The 2012 free-agent class has a number of running back options including Benson, but the Bengals also have a second first-round draft pick this year courtesy of Carson Palmer and the Oakland Raiders.
Picking 17th and 21st, they are in prime position to address two of their biggest needs.?Running back tops that list, followed by guard, cornerback and wide receiver.
If Benson walks, the Bengals are left with Brian Leonard and Bernard Scott under contract, and neither of them are long-term answers. Solid complements but not long-term answers.
Fortunately for the Bengals, running back has talent in that portion of the draft even if it is a bit of a reach.
Miami's Lamar Miller provides the most value. He has good size at 5'11" and 212 pounds and is rumored to run the 40-yard dash in the sub-4.4 range. He's still developing, but he grades out in the mid-to-late first round.
Washington's Chris Polk and Virginia Tech's David Wilson are also fringe first-round talents.?
What Should the Bengals Target at RB?
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Keep Benson
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Draft Miller
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Draft Wilson
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Draft Polk
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Get Somebody Else
What Should the Bengals Target at RB?
With the new rookie salary cap, it will not only be beneficial for the Bengals to avoid the free-agent market, but it would be the best decision they could make.
Miller, Polk and Wilson could all be every-down backs in the NFL and fit in perfectly with the fresh new look Cincinnati is sporting.
When the offseason officially hits, don't be surprised if Cedric Benson isn't high on the Bengals' wish list. In fact, the Bengals would be wise to address their running back position in April when they're on the clock.
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