Why the Cincinnati Bengals Are the Best Fit for LaMichael James

After three record setting years at the University of Oregon, tailback LaMichael James declared for the NFL draft and began preparations for the upcoming NFL combine.  Despite his small stature James figures to be anywhere from a second round pick to a fifth round pick in the NFL draft. 

Due to his game breaking speed and college production, James figures to draw interest from a host of teams in the NFL draft.  One of the teams that could target LaMichael James in the draft is the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bengals RB’s

Last year's starting tailback Cedric Benson registered another 1,000 yard rushing season but is entering free agency and hasn’t given any indication that he will return.  After the Bengals' exit from the playoffs at the hands of the Houston Texans, the former University of Texas star indicated he may be more inclined to sign elsewhere due to his diminished role in the offense in 2011. 

One of the reasons for Benson’s lightened workload in 2011 was the continued attempts to get Bernard Scott more involved in the offense.  Scott did register a career high in yards, 380, and touchdowns, three, but only averaged a subpar 3.4 yards per carry.  In addition Scott contributed essentially nothing out of the backfield as he caught 13 passes for 38 yards on the season.

Behind Scott on the depth chart at running back is Brian Leonard and Cedric Peerman.  Neither of these two contributed much to the Bengals rushing attack in the 2011 season.  With the increased importance of the two running back set in the NFL due to injuries and substitution packages the Bengals will definitely need to target a running back this offseason.

Possible Options

If the Benson does sign elsewhere the Bengals have a decision to make in regards to who their opening day running back will be in 2012.  The Bengals could target a free agent running back to fill the void or simply slide Scott into the vacancy left by Benson.  Running back options that the Bengals could pursue in free agency include Michael Bush, Peyton Hillis, Marshawn Lynch or Mike Tolbert. 

If the Bengals choose to forgo the free agency route the draft would be the next logical option.  Alabama star Trent Richardson would look great in a Bengals jersey but there is little chance that he lasts all the way until the Bengals' pick (17).  Besides Richardson the other first round running back options in the NFL draft are Lamar Miller of Miami and David Wilson of Virginia Tech.

While Wilson and Miller are both solid prospects it would be a reach for the Bengals to draft either of them with the 17th pick.  That would leave the Bengals with the option of targeting a running back with one of their middle round picks.

Why LaMichael?

LaMichael James would help the Bengals not just with his running ability but also on special teams and in the passing attack. 

That being said the main attraction to LaMichael James for NFL teams is his ability to move the chains on the ground.  In his storied three-year career as a Duck James rushed for at least 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns in each season. 

As a result of Oregon’s spread option offense and small stature James is regarded as a speed back that won’t run inside the tackles.  While James certainly has enough speed to be classified as a speed back he is a tough runner that can run between the tackles.

Watch a couple of minutes of the attached highlight tape of LaMichael James’ career at Oregon and pay attention to how he finishes his runs.  It is a rare sight to see James duck out of bounds to avoid a hit.

In addition to his outstanding speed James also possesses great vision for when to make the cutback.  Once he has identified the cutback in the defense it is plant and go. 

If the cutback isn’t there James will lower his shoulder and keep his legs moving behind his blockers.  When James gets in the open field he does possess the agility to make defenders miss but due to his size he isn’t going to overpower anybody.     

As a receiver out of the backfield James didn’t put up great numbers at Oregon but this may have been caused due to him being underutilized.  With James’ speed and vision he could become a valuable weapon in the screen game and in the flats as a check down receiver. 

In an effort to improve his draft stock this season James was used as a punt returner for the Ducks and in 15 punt returns James managed 139 yards and one touchdown.  With more practice and coaching this is an area that James should excel at in the future.

How James Becomes a Bengal

To fill their need for a running back should Cedric Benson depart from the Cincinnati Bengals, as mentioned above, could go in a variety of different directions.  Regardless of how they fill their running back void targeting LaMichael James with a third or fourth round draft pick could pay dividends down the road.

As a rookie James could spell Scott, or whomever the Bengals running back next year is, while contributing on special teams.  Beyond his rookie season James, if he can continue to develop his receiving skills, could blossom into a weapon like Darren Sproles out of the backfield.