Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals got a steal in the 2014 NFL Draft when they selected LSU running back Jeremy Hill in the second round with the No. 55 overall pick. Hill is the Bengals’ first rookie running back to reach 1,000 yards in their first season since they drafted Corey Dillon in 1997. Hill started the final nine games of his rookie season, recording 929 rush yards and six touchdowns in that span.
Hill began the 2014 season behind Giovani Bernard on the depth chart, but after Bernard suffered injuries to his hip and clavicle in Week 9, Hill took advantage of every opportunity as the starter. The Bengals have a dynamic running back tandem with Bernard backing up Hill. Whereas Bernard will be a change-of-pace option due to his multi-dimensional versatility, Hill has the power to move the pile with a full head of steam and three-down ability.
The Bengals have assembled a solid offensive line for Hill to work behind in 2015. At 6-foot-1 and 238 pounds, Hill is a talented runner with vision and speed as well as strength to chip away at defenses for several yards a carry. Hill is a threat to take it to the house any time he touches the football if he breaks into space.
Hill enters the 2015 season as the centerpiece of the Bengals’ offense. Along with Miami Dolphins’ running back Lamar Miller, Hill finished second amongst all running backs in the NFL with 5.1 yards per rush attempt a year ago. Hill also finished eighth overall with 1,124 rushing yards and tied with five other running backs for third overall with nine total touchdowns in 2014.
Hill only had 222 carries in 2014 with a majority of those rushes coming near the tail end of the season. Expect an increase in production early in 2015, and Hill could potentially exceed that mark near mid-November in the season.
The Bengals have all of the offensive components that are necessary to make another playoff run in 2015 and Hill will play more of an exclusive role this season. Over the past couple of seasons the Bengals have put together what could be one of the most dynamic backfields in 2015 led by their second-year running back.
Dan Miller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealDANimal45, or add him to your network on Google.
