2012 NFL Free Agents: 3 RBs Who Could Replace Cedric Benson in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson is set to be a free agent in 2012, with the Bengals offering him just a one-year, incentive-filled deal for the 2011 season.

The 29-year-old back had just 273 carries this season, with fellow rusher Bernard Scott seeing an increased role. With Scott poised to stick around for some time, the Bengals will be looking elsewhere for a running back.

If Cincinnati chooses to replace Benson with another free agent running back this offseason, here are their three best bets.

Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers

Chargers running back Mike Tolbert has been a great complement—and injury replacement—for Ryan Mathews. However, the team isn't going to use the franchise tag on him and has expressed greater interest in retaining fullback Jacob Hester rather than paying full-price to retain the versatile Tolbert.

Should the Chargers let Tolbert test the open market, Cincinnati could be a good landing spot. It's clear that the Bengals were unsatisfied with Benson's lack of production this year and the addition of a player as talented in both the passing and run games like Tolbert could elevate an ever-improving Bengals offense.

He's got the power to replace Benson, but his ability to be a factor on practically every down makes him far more valuable. They'd be smart to give Tolbert a two- or three-year deal rather than retaining the declining Benson.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots

It's not a foregone conclusion that the Patriots won't try to tender BenJarvus Green-Ellis a new deal or lock him down with the franchise tag in the offseason, but the team may prefer to move on with the less-expensive Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen instead.

Should Green-Ellis hit the open market, he's a major upgrade from Benson and worth the Bengals' attention.

Green-Ellis is a similar type of rusher as Benson, powering north-south and using his considerable strength to break tackles. At 25 years old (26 by the start of the 2012 season), he has more in the tank than Benson and has yet to see his speed decline.

His 2011 production was low, but that was simply due to the Patriots' adherence to the passing game. Given more opportunities, Green-Ellis has the potential to be a game-changing back.

Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

As time passes, there appears to be less of a chance for Raiders running back Michael Bush to hit the open market in 2012, as he's proved a more than capable No. 2 back and injury replacement for Darren McFadden in 2011. However, if they choose to let him test the open market, Bush should be one of the most highly-coveted rushers on the market and will likely spark a bidding war.

If that is the case then the Bengals are well-served to make a overture to Bush. Bush is fast, durable and an idealized version of Benson.

Unfortunately for the Bengals, Bush is an idealized version of every underperforming running back in the league and is highly valuable to the Raiders. It will take a great deal of money to woo him to the Bengals' roster should he hit free agency, but they shouldn't bank on him being available.