Bengals: 3 Giovanni Bernard replacements in 2021 NFL Draft

2. Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State

This could be the home run hitter on third down they need. Jermar Jefferson while his 40-yard time at his pro-day left something to be desired coming in at the 4.5 mark he has shown big-play ability. Jefferson also has some good hands out of the backfield and at 206 pounds can take on guys at the next level.

If his 4.5 40-yard was more of an issue of lack of play and training this year, and let’s hope he could be one of the biggest bargains in the draft.

In his first and only full year at Oregon State he had 1, 380 rush yards with 12 touchdowns and over 200 yards receiving. Last year in just nine games he averaged 6.5 yards a carry coming in just shy of 900 yards and hitting pay dirt seven times. He will fight for everything he can get every time he touches the ball, on a handoff, or if he catches it. I love his ability to just want it more than the other guy in every aspect of his game.

Coming in to be the second back to bigger back like Mixon, Jefferson’s strengths should align very well with the type of play calls they will run without Mixon. Jefferson does have some questions about where his top-ability will land due to only playing 15 games since he finished his 2018 season. 2018 may have been the best version of Jefferson, or it was just scratching the surface and lack of playing time that held him back.

You can never have enough running backs who can get out and catch the ball, do well off play-action or have a shot at a touchdown every time they get past the second level. Jefferson could be a fan favorite at a very low price of a fourth-round pick. Getting an explosive playmaker with the upside of a starting level running back here is a great value.