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Starting with five choices, then six choices and three choices, the Bengals had an unusual opportunity to work with the sixth round of this year's NFL draft. With their top two picks in the round, they tackled their third half-booty with Trayveon Williams of Texas A & M and the second second of MIKE with Deshaun Davis of Auburn. Two strong players to fill two notable needs.
Many did not expect Cincinnati to take a second run back. Many did not expect Rodney Anderson to be available at the 211th overall selection. Nevertheless, the Bengals added Anderson to an already dangerous game room to close the sixth round.
Of the 10 players the Bengals have recruited, Anderson may have the best chance of surpassing his coaching status. Chris Burke of L & # 39; athletics Anderson was the best choice of Bengals outside the first round:
Cincinnati Bengals: Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma (Series 6, No. 211 in general)
Once the project reached Day 3, Anderson would likely be on this list, regardless of which team appointed him. Still in rehab on an ACL tear last season, Anderson has the size (6-foot, 224-pound) and skills of a No. 1 back. At a minimum, healthy, he's a perfect complement to a starter established because it can play in all situations.
As for Bengals and "healthy" proclamations, things rarely go well. But there are many reasons why Anderson cuts this list.
Before the 2018 season, Anderson had only one full season of college football under his belt. With a total of 1,442 yards from the scrum with only 205 touchdowns in the 2017 Heisman Trophy at Baker Mayfield, Anderson was ready to stand out as an elite running back in the form of this success. last year. Unfortunately, a torn ACL in the second game of the season put an end to these hopes and sent draft status to a world of skepticism.
Burke has a point though; Regardless of where Anderson would go on the board last Saturday, it was an ideal piece to complete a group of semifinalists. It turns out that he's found himself with a former Joe Mixon teammate with Cincinnati. Although they only appeared twice during Mixon's first season and Anderson's first-ever freshman season in 2015, there is no doubt that Mixon is thrilled to play again with a former colleague. .
Maybe that's just Oklahoma, maybe Mixon and Anderson are about the same size, but both are moving very similarly in the field. We never saw Anderson test at the NFL or his professional day because of the injury, but Anderson can succeed in the same way as Mixon. When he is healthy and ready to make an impact on Sunday, the Bengals can alternate the two and make sure that the offensive remains the same, which will benefit both.
And later, when the time comes to decide on the long-term future of Mixon with the Bengals, Anderson can potentially take his place at the cost of a late sixth round pick if he proves he is sustainable. Not a bad investment at all.
The Bengals tried to play safety this year by recruiting players who might not become more than just long-term beginners. Anderson's choice was to swing the fences to a place where the depth was comfortable. It's hard to get more reward for less risk.
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