The Cincinnati Bengals won the AFC North in 2013, finishing with an 11-5 record. After a playoff loss to San Diego, they decided the 2014 NFL Draft would be the best time to address their backfield.
In the ’13 season, rookie Giovani Bernard exploded on the scene with 1,209 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. However, the team’s leading rusher, Benjarvus Green-Ellis, managed just 756 yards on the ground and only one 20-plus yard run.
Cincinnati wanted to replace Green-Ellis, who was a reliable ball carrier but wasn’t going to turn any heads with any flashing gallops.