Knowing full well the Bengals could go defense at No. 17 or 21 or both in the first round, on Monday, OC Jay Gruden prioritized the offense's needs with a running back and a guard leading a list that has wide receiver running at third.
"I think the back class is very, very good this year and I wouldn't be surprised if we walk out of here with a pretty darn good back," Gruden said. "I'm very excited about the guard prospects. There are about four or five of them that are very, very good.
"I'd be very surprised if we don't come out of here with a decent player up front."
With Cedric Benson headed to free agency, Gruden continues to sound like he's headed to running back-by-committee and spearheading it with one of the prospects that figures to be available in the first half of the draft.
Since it's a guy that would theoretically split carries, a 205-pounder like Virginia Tech's David Wilson, a 215-pounder like Boise State's Doug Martin, and a 200-pounder like Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead would be big enough to team with 200-pound Bernard Scott, 225-pound Brian Leonard and 211-pound Cedric Peerman.
"It's not a bad way to go. Keep guys fresh. They play longer, they're involved," Gruden said of the committee concept. "If something happens to one, you know you've got a guy that can come in there and be productive. Where you're not relying heavily on one guy and if something happens to him, you’re like, 'Oh God, this guy doesn't have many reps.' I think it's important to have guys touch the ball, I believe, as a committee, but if you do get a big-time guy like Trent (Richardson) then I'm not opposed to giving him the ball 30 times."
There you have it - if the Bengals land someone like Trent Richardson in the draft, look for him to be the team's workhorse. If not, expect a RBBC in Cincinnati in 2012.
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