The Cincinnati Bengals' run game this season has not been as they would have hoped. Chase Brown has really struggled, and specifically he hasn't been able to break through that first contact.
Against the Miami Dolphins, Brown was usurped by Samaje Perine, who averaged almost two more yards per carry, leading many to question Brown's current role and future in this Cincinnati offense. Furthermore, it's not like the offensive line isn't creating the gaps, as the Bengals' o-line has been one of the better run-blocking units in the NFL this season.
Because of Brown's worrying inefficiency this season, the Bengals have been touted as a potential trade destination for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Indianapolis are potentially looking at a clear out and rebuild now that they sit 2-4, and Taylor is a potential trade candidate.
However, the Bengals would likely have to give up a lot to get the former second-round pick, and so there are a few other running back names that the Bengals could go after instead...
1 - Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton hasn't had the start to the season that many expected him to in LA. He's become part of a three-way comittee with Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal, and with the Chargers sitting at 0-6, with a brutal schedule coming up, they could look to make some trades before the deadline.
Hampton is a bigger-bodied running back compared with Brown, and would be able to complement him perfectly, especially in those more physical games, and down by the goalline.
Furthermore, as he's just in his second year, there's a chance that he still becomes the player that everyone thought he would be coming out of college. If that is the case, then the Bengals could get the bargain of the century.
2 - Cam Skatterbo, New York Giants
This would be a fun one. Skatterbo was a cult hero in New York last season, and the pairing of him and Jaxson Dart was supposed to be the future of the franchise. However, it hasn't worked out like that. Dart is injured, and Skatterbo has seemingly lost his starting job to Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary, as he had no offensive touches in the Giants' last game against the Saints.
Skatterbo is a very physical downfield runner who looks for contact and tries to bulldoze his way through defenses. Considering that Brown has been lacklustre (to be nice) after contact, Skatterbo is exactly the sort of short-yardage rusher that the Bengals need to help unlock this ground game.
3 - Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Pollard is a different option, as he is much older, we know what he is in the NFL, and he isn't neccessarily a bruiser-type running back like Skatterbo and Hampton. However, what we do get out of Pollard is very reliable production.
This season, he has 349 yards and one touchdown on one of the league's worst offenses. He's also averaged four yards per carry, which is the same as one Jonathan Taylor. Pollard wouldn't cost much either, as the Titans are in shambles right now and need to consider trading away all of their veterans in favour of a long-term rebuild; it would be a savvy move by Cincinnati's front office.
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