Cincinnati Bengals: 6 bold predictions for the 2021 rookie class

Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Class Bold Predictions

Chris Evans will score multiple touchdowns this season from over ten yards out.

Chris Evans, a sixth-round pick out of Michigan, was the perfect late-round running back target for the Bengals to replace Giovani Bernard. While Joe Mixon should bear an even larger role this season, the Bengals lack a dynamic backup.

The current backup running backs, Samaje Perine and Trayveon Williams, offer competency behind Mixon, but both lack the game-breaking speed and agility that Evans brings to the table. Evans, after missing 2019 and essentially not playing in 2020, proved his NFL stock with his testing numbers, including a 4.44 40-yard dash.

Evans also has natural receiving abilities, as he was a receiver in high school and caught the ball well at Michigan. The Bengals clearly recognize those skills; when Burrow began extending his range to 40 yards during OTAs, it was Evans on the receiving end of those deep passes.

For Evans, he will not be the choice to replace Mixon should Mixon miss any time with injury. However, his athleticism and catching ability make him a natural choice to spell Mixon during games, giving the offense a chance for a big play with a chunk gain on the ground or a deep pass through the air. That big-play ability should materialize for Evans with multiple big plays that end in touchdowns this season.

Will the Bengals rookies live up to these bold predictions? We’ll have to find out.