Dan Herron to Bengals: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Dan Herron is a 5’10”, 213-pound running back from Ohio State University. He had a big junior season in 2010, but didn’t have the chance to replicate it in 2011 thanks to a five-game suspension. The half-season numbers he did pile up were still impressive, kindling hope that Herron could be a successful NFL back.

Scouts generally consider Herron a power-back type thanks to good straight-line speed and patience, but say he lacks the ability to move piles at the NFL level. He does make good, quick decisions and has fast feet.

He’s tough to tackle because of his low center of gravity, but he isn’t a good blocker in pass or run situations, limiting his usefulness in an NFL system that requires more than just the ability to carry the ball.

CBSSports.com considers him the 17th-best running back in this year’s class. 

I’d expect Herron to be able to step in as a rookie as a tandem back. He doesn’t seem to have the skills yet to be a full-time feature back and there’s doubt as to whether he could develop that, given his weaknesses. As a rookie, he’ll be most valuable as a secondary back that can come in for relief.

Herron's work in college seems to lend itself to his being able to turn into a successful back in the NFL, but I'm not sure he'll ever be able to take a team on his own shoulders without a supporting backfield cast.

With the offseason signing of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the Bengals have a bulked up backfield.  Dan Herron adds a power-type back to Cincinnati's offense.