Running back Giovani Bernard, entering his sixth year with the Cincinnati Bengals, has never been “the guy”. Even predating Jeremy Hill, he had to compete for carries with Benjarvus Green-Ellis. During the Hill era, the Bengals utilized him as almost entirely a scatback. Regardless of his usage, though, Bernard was always an efficient runner and a dynamic weapon in the open field.
Now, very little has changed. Jeremy Hill left, but Joe Mixon, last year’s second-round pick, has taken his place. Many projected Mixon to be a three-down back in the NFL, not unlike Le’Veon Bell in Pittsburgh.