RB look no further than

[UK Bengal]

La Michael James this kid runs fast has breakout speed catches well out of the backfield which suits the WCO more than a bell cow and he should be there at 17-21 even though he has impressed at the combine.

[volcom69]

He won't get picked in the first round alot of teams don't see him as every down back. I would take Martin though really liking that guy

[cHaD711Johnson]

No way in hell does James go in the 1st round.

[BengalszoneBilly]

La Michael James this kid runs fast has breakout speed catches well out of the backfield which suits the WCO more than a bell cow and he should be there at 17-21 even though he has impressed at the combine.

I really like this kid. Tons of potential. Problem is he's the sort of same RB Chris Perry was. IMHO we need offensive linemen who can both pass and run block. Currently we do not have that.

[skyline]

I thought David Wilson looked like the most impressive guy at the combine today. I'd be very pleased with him as a Bengal.

[wpeldios]

James isnt a first round pick, and has a good shot of being there when we pick in the second. Still my pick of choice would be Martin since Richardson will be long gone. The more I am watching Martin the more I am liking him.

[ArmyBengal]

James will be there in the 3rd and his biggest weakness is the fact he wasn't used to catch passes out of the backfield.

I think he will be a good RB, but not for us. We need a bellcow that also catches the ball out of the backfield.

Hmmmmmm, if only there were a RB like that in this draft. Derek, any thoughts ???

[UK Bengal]

Yeah he is a Chris perry type but a whole lot better and more suited to our offence than perry was if he is there in the second it could be worth a shot. We don't need a between the tackles runner in the WCO.

[derekshank]

We don't need a between the tackles runner in the WCO.

The first thing Gruden said when he came to Cincy was that his primary goal was to run the ball between the tackles. Running a WCO offense and having a power running game are not mutually exclusive.

Secondly, even if the majority of the running plays were to the edge, every team still ought to have the ability to convert short yardage situations. The Bengals need a RB who can get those tough yards. Neither James nor Scott fill that need.

Lastly, even if everything you said was true... LeMichael James would still be a poor fit. He is small and unable to shed tackles, often being tackled when a player swipes at his ankles. There are major concerns about the durability of a RB who is only around 185 lbs... so he won't be able to carry the load for a team.

So that makes him a situational RB... but he can't currently be a 3rd down back. In his pass blocking he misses blitz assignments, and is easily bullrushed into his QB. He also has very little experience catching the ball out of the backfield, and has not been asked to run more than a handful of routes. He also drops easy catches. Not to mention his fumbling problems.

All in all, James has a very limited set of skills. Perhaps he can improve on some of his weaknesses with coaching... but based on what he's currently bringing to the table, he should be drafted no earlier than the 3rd round - and I personally wouldn't touch him until the 4th.

If this is the style of RB you like... Skyline is right. David Wilson is a far better prospect.

[HoosierCat]

In his MMQB column today, King drops a couple of opinion-tidbits about Richardson. He doesn't think Richardson will go high in the first round, and doesn't think there will be any other RB but Richardson selected in the top 32. He also believes that the Jets would "think seriously" about taking Richardson if he were there at 16.

[ArmyBengal]

That's my thing in regards to the RB's this draft and why I now think Polk will be there when we pick in the 2nd.

Teams just aren't as quick to pull the trigger on a RB early unless it's a no brainer.

While I think Polk is a no brainer for what the Bengals are doing, I don't think enough teams share that though to take him before us. Then again, maybe i'm just wishful thinking, but that's where I am. There are at least 4 RB's I think teams will covet more than Polk and I think he falls.

The mock I do will have Polk as our 2nd round pick unless we address it in FA.

[derekshank]

I think the idea that RB has been devalued is way overstated.

Last year there were very few RBs that were no RBs that were viewed as top tier RBs in the NFL. Yet there were still 5 RBs take in the first 2 rounds. The Saints traded back into the 1st round to draft Mark Ingram, a player who is not nearly as talented as Richardson, Miller, or Polk in my opinion.

2012 doesn't have a terribly deep RB class... but it does offer some high profile talent, similar to the talent we saw in 2010. CJ Spiller was taken #9 overall, Ryan Matthews was taken #12 overall, and Jahvid Best was taken #30 overall. Dexter McCluster, Toby Gerhart, Ben Tate, and Monterio Hardesty were also drafted in the 2nd round.

On top of that, we're told that the new slotted salary structure for draft picks should make teams less worried about drafting RBs early, because the ridiculous up front cash investment isn't present anymore.

I won't be the least bit surprised if Richardson is taken in the top 5, with Miller and Polk both being drafted in the 20's. David Wilson and Doug Martin will both probably be gone before the #53 pick as well.

I could be wrong... but that's the way I see things right now. If the Bengals don't want to use a 1st round pick on a RB... they need to get Michael Bush, and hope that the either David Wilson falls to them, or else Bernard Scott continues to improve.

[walzav29]

If they get Bush then I strongley suggest James, Rainey, or Pead in the 3rd. I agree with the thought that says they need speed.

[derekshank]

If they get Bush then I strongley suggest James, Rainey, or Pead in the 3rd. I agree with the thought that says they need speed.

I'd be okay with that... but as for speed, I can't help but say "Meh."

I want a RB who can get the tough yards. I want a RB who is a bear to tackle, and forces the safeties to stay honest. The ability to break 80 yard runs is nothing but icing on the cake from my perspective. A RB should first and foremost be a guy who is able to pound the ball productively, pass block, and occasionally catch a pass.

Michael Bush does these things. If they get a "speed" back to compliment him... that's fine by me.

[UK Bengal]

I guess that's what watching 1 season of college ball gets me lol

From the games I saw James looked very good but then again I saw very little of him compared to others.

[volcom69]

James is a good player, it's just not what this team needs. Give me Doug Martin and I'll be happy. This team needs a bigger back James is more of a 3rd down type back

[Passepartout]

With there is a good QB, there needs to be a good RB to back him up.

[walzav29]

I thought David Wilson looked like the most impressive guy at the combine today. I'd be very pleased with him as a Bengal.

Check out his highlights on Youtube. He is explosive. I guess they can go with any of the following in the 3rd round

Pead

Wilson

Rainey

James

Martin

I'm moving Wilson ahead of Pead. Wilson is more explosive.

[derekshank]

I thought David Wilson looked like the most impressive guy at the combine today. I'd be very pleased with him as a Bengal.

Check out his highlights on Youtube. He is explosive. I guess they can go with any of the following in the 3rd round

Pead

Wilson

Rainey

James

Martin

I'm moving Wilson ahead of Pead. Wilson is more explosive.

I don't know anyone who has Wilson outside the top 5 RBs. He might be there at the #53 pick... but no way in hell he falls to the Bengals 3rd round pick.

Same for Martin. I'll be shocked if Martin as available at #53. He's an early 2nd round pick... might even squeak late in the 1st round.