Giovani Bernard

It’s what Zac Taylor is hoping he can be and why immediately after drafting Chris Evans in the sixth round, Taylor asked him to watch film of Giovani Bernard in pass protection.

Evans followed his coach’s orders and quickly realized the opportunity he has in front of him.

“I know that’s gonna be a big part of my success,” Evans said. “However long I play in the NFL if you can pass protect just like how Gio did, you can hang around for a long, long time, especially if you can run routes. I took pride in that especially after I had that conversation and I was just like that’s what I’m gonna do. And Joe after the play was like ‘good block.’ And I was like ‘hey, that’s what I’m here for. I just gotta take pride in that and keep pushing and keep striving to get better.”

Related players: Samaje Perine, Joe Mixon

Evans got his shot when Perine went on the COVID list, and he took full in Week 6. The story said if Evans continues to make the most of his opportunities when they come, he could become what the old No. 25 was to the current Bengals. It's key for fantasy owners because the oft-injured Mixon saw Bernard take over as the team's RB1 when Mixon was out before this season, and that means Evans could eventually be the handcuff to Mixon at the very least. For now, he could play a big role in the passing game.