When the Cincinnati Bengals waited until the fifth round of the draft to address running back after standing still at the position in free agency while losing Samaje Perine, it signaled to onlookers that the team was committed to Joe Mixon.
But that fifth-round pick — Chase Brown out of Illinois — arrives with heavy experience and some traits that make him worth a second look.
ESPN’s Seth Walder did just that recently within a bigger piece about team outlooks:
Nonstarter to know: RB Chase Brown. I’m keeping an eye on Brown, a fifth-round pick who forced 73 missed tackles (fourth-most in FBS) last season at Illinois, because Joe Mixon averaged between minus -0.2 and 0.2 rush yards over expectation per carry in the past four seasons. Brown is cheaper and could be Mixon’s successor. — Walder
The Bengals haven’t given off any indication that Mixon’s job is in danger by any means. But Brown certainly has an inside track to compete with Trayveon Williams as the immediate backup who takes rotational snaps.
As for Mixon, he’s improved as a receiver over the last few years, though pass-blocking remains an issue. Barring a stunning summer development though, fans can expect Brown to get some touches next year before possibly taking over in a year’s time.
