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Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock draft

By Dani Bostick

Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis reacts on the sidelines prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis reacts on the sidelines prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of a Cincinnati Bengals helmet on the sidelines at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 37-28. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of a Cincinnati Bengals helmet on the sidelines at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 37-28. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5: Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois

The Cincinnati Bengals have both third-year veteran Jeremy Hill and second-year running back Giovani Bernard at running back with 29-year-old Cedric Peerman and third-year back Rex Burkhead as third and fourth stringers.

Both Hill and Bernard are talented athletes, but they have not been game-changers in 2015. In fact, through Week 14, the Bengals run game is ranked 14 in the NFL with an average of 114.2 yards per game. This statistic is decent, but not stellar. Their productivity at running back this season could be a function of a relatively weak offensive line in the post-Cook era.

In any case, the team could use some more depth at the position. Using a fifth-round pick on a running back is not a risky proposition. Josh Ferguson of Illinois is a fleet-footed, agile athlete with both lateral quickness and great instincts. At 5’9″ and 195-pounds, he is a small fellow, but scouting reports indicate he has been adding bulk. Ferguson averaged over 700 yards per season in his last three years and has been a consistent contributor to his school.

The Bengals organization is fraught with competent position coaches and boasts a functional front office. If Ferguson has the potential to be an NFL-level player, the Bengals organization will be able to assess his ability and develop him into a game-changer. Recently undrafted free agent running back Thomas Rawls made a huge impact on the Seattle Seahawks organization. Running backs need not be first-round picks to be successful in the NFL.

Josh Ferguson will need some further development as a player, but if he has a smooth transition into the NFL, he could end up adding some helpful depth at running back for the Bengals squad.

Next: Round 6: Matt Ionnidis

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