3 underrated Bengals to monitor vs. Dolphins in preseason finale

The Cincinnati Bengals final preseason game takes place Sunday vs. the Miami Dolphins. In previous seasons, the third game was used as a “dress rehearsal” and the starters would play at least until half, which would generally help to either whet fans appetites or cause more angst at the prospects for the regular season.

While it remains to be seen how coach Zac Taylor will structure his game plans or play his starters, aside from the recent announcement that joe Burrow will indeed see snaps, there are still some intriguing storylines. Here are three underrated players that bear watching versus the Dolphins.

Underrated Bengals to Watch – No. 3: Jacques Patrick

It seems almost every year the Bengals have a running back or two that flash in camp. Most years, however, those players either end up on the practice squad or cut. Jacques Patrick maybe a camp flash that sticks.

With Joe Mixon entrenched as the undisputed RB1, and rookie Chris Evans making a strong case to be in the mix, the short-yardage, change of pace style back that could be on the opening day roster against Minnesota maybe Patrick, not 2020 holdover Samaje Perine.

Patrick has shown well in the preseason and possesses a similar style to Perine while being younger, bigger, and less expensive. Trayvon Williams has been hampered by a balky hamstring and undrafted free agent Pooka Williams has also been slowed in camp with soft tissue, lower-body ailment, always a bad sign for running backs, so potentially the team could keep Patrick and Perine.

With the (hopefully) impending extension to Jessie Bates on the horizon and both players being similar, it could be prudent however to take a long look against the Dolphins in hopes that Patrick could assume that role, provided either Williams can get on the field.