Cincinnati Bengals rumors: BenJarvus Green-Ellis could be traded?

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) runs the ball in the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) runs the ball in the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cincinnati Bengals are not short on talent at the running back position. However, whenever you have too much talent at one position, that means that there always has to be an odd man out, and in Cincinnati, that man could be BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who might not be with the team for much longer.

With the emergence of Giovani Bernard last season, plus the second-round selection they just used on LSU star Jeremy Hill, Mike Florio over at Pro Football Talk points out that the team may not see what they’re paying him as justifiable, and with that, he could be on the move.

"Now, with the Bengals devoting another second-round pick to former LSU tailback Jeremy Hill, Green-Ellis may not be in position to justify his $2.3 million salary.  Before cutting him, though, the Bengals could try to move him."

Bernard, a rookie last season, was one of the most versatile backs in the entire NFL, finishing up with 695 yards and five touchdowns, while also catching 56 passes for 513 yards and three more scores.

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Of course, the wild card in all of this for Green-Ellis is how much Hill can prove himself. If the rookie shows the Bengals in camp and the preseason contests that he is up to the task of filling in for Bernard when needed, then it would not be shocking at all to see the Bengals make some phone calls.

And as Florio pointed out, after gaining over 1,000 yards just two seasons ago, there should definitely be some suitors out there willing to bring Green-Ellis on board.