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Giovani Bernard

Fantasy starter in middle rounds

If you decide to draft wide receivers first (or Rob Gronkowski, or perhaps Cam Newton) you'll probably need to find a starting running back or two in the middle rounds. A nice option, it appears, will probably be Cincinnati's Giovani Bernard.

The Bengals just signed him to a three-year, $15.5 million extension, which is a pretty nice piece of change for a No. 2 running back. But Bernard plays quite a bit in their offense, and if we're right about what Hue Jackson's departure means for the team, he'll probably play even more this season.

Jackson favored the running game, which benefits Jeremy Hill. Cincinnati will likely pass more this season, benefiting Bernard.

Even last year, Bernard finished with over 1,200 total yards. Of all the backs who entered the league in 2013, only Latavius Murray -- who got almost all of the running back snaps in Oakland -- finished with more yards in his third season. He didn't score enough, and obviously his value will be greater in PPR leagues than standard, but not a bad fantasy option.

The 2013 draft (and undrafted) class, sorted by total yards last season, is shown below.

2013 RUNNING BACKS IN YEAR 3
RdPlayerRunRecTotalTDs
6Latavius Murray, Oak.106623212986
2Giovani Bernard, Cin.73047212022
2Eddie Lacy, G.B.7581889463
UC.J. Anderson, Den.7201839035
6Theo Riddick, Det.1336978303
2LeVeon Bell, Pitt.5561366923
5Chris Thompson, Wash.2162404562
6Andre Ellington, Ariz.2891484373
5Denard Robinson, Jac.2661644301
6Spencer Ware, Sea.40354086
5Joseph Randle, Dall.315864014
5Mike Gillislee, Mia.267292963
UKhiry Robinson, N.O.1801152954
2Christine Michael, Sea.192142060
7Kerwynn Williams, Ind.142161581
5Zac Stacy, St.L.89651541
6Kenjon Barner, Car.124221460
6Rex Burkhead, Cin.494981
3Knile Davis, K.C.7224961
5Stepfan Taylor, Ariz.584620
2Montee Ball, Den.0000
4Marcus Lattimore, S.F.0000
4Johnathan Franklin, G.B.0000
6Mike James, T.B.0000
7Michael Cox, NYG0000
7Jawan Jamison, Wash.0000

--Andy Richardson

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