Despite having running backs Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis on roster, the Cincinnati Bengals elected to select LSU RB Jeremy Hill in the second round of last week’s NFL Draft.
From the sound of it, the Bengals are already prepared to give Hill a shot at winning the backup job in training camp this year.
“I don’t think you can ever have too many (running backs),” said Bengals OC Hue Jackson, via Cincinnati.com.
We have some very competitive guys in that room, and nobody is going to shy away from anything. At the end of the day, we’re going to play the best players,” said Jackson.
While Bernard is locked into the team’s starting role, there is at least a chance that Hill could secure more carries than Green-Ellis moving forward.
Though Green-Ellis will probably enter training camp listed as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart, but that doesn’t sound like a big concern for Hill.
“We’re all going to compete against each other,” Hill said. “I’m so blessed to be part of the organization.”
Green-Ellis, 28, is entering the final year of his three-year, $9 million contract and will make $2.3 million for the upcoming season. Last year, averaged just 3.4 yards-per-carry on 220 attempts and ran for 756 yards and seven touchdowns.
The addition of Hill gives Cincinnati an added pass-catching dimension out of the backfield. Hill was able to gather 18 receptions for 181 yards in his final season with LSU. In comparison, Green-Ellis only earned 22-yards through four receptions in 2013.
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