Rookie Report: Week Three

In my weekly column, we take a long look at two more rookies.  I compare their performance to date against my original expectations of them.  Let’s continue the 2013 series by looking back at two Cincinnati Bengals: running back Gio Bernard and tight end Tyler Eifert going against the Green Bay Packers.

Gio Bernard, RB CIN

Here is what I saw in college from Bernard:  Bernard is a smooth, make you miss a type of runner and he is a weapon in the passing game with his quickness and excellent hands. Although the rookie has good agility and wiggle, Bernard’s leg drive leaves a lot to be desired.  The second rounder is very explosive and gets quickly to a second gear in the open field.  Bernard is a player with injury concerns, but it seems he has quieted those for the most part in his senior season.  The young running back must improve his pass blocking, but he could take his game to the same level as a Matt Forte or a LeSean McCoy if he can cut down on his body catching and use his hands while focusing his eyes downfield.  His skill set is best suited for a pass focused team.

This is what I saw from Bernard against the Packers:  As trends go, it was not surprising to see BenJarvus Green-Ellis start the game for the Bengals.  It was surprising that Bernard was the first option for the goal line package after the Packers had fumbled the ball deep in their territory.  The rookie running back used his quick feet, gave a little shoulder fake, and went airborne to get into the end zone.  Bernard can be a bit maddening, at times, like when he turns his back to the defense to get leverage.  This did not work well for Rashard Mendenhall and it won’t work for you either, rook.

Bernard uses strong leg drive and a low center of gravity that helps him slide through the big pile-ups.  Other times, he turns on the quickness to start and stop, making defenders miss.  The rookie back has decent vision that he uses to follow his blocks, on occasion getting small in the hole, but still tends to break plays to the outside.  Hopefully Bernard will get more confident with his inside running, so the defense won’t concentrate on him keeping him contained in between the tackles.  He had a productive day with ten carries for 50 yards and the short touchdown. His value for the Bengals relies on his play in the passing game.

Bernard is a natural receiver with soft hands, and had good concentration in traffic.  This was very evident when he made a catch in the middle of the field with a linebacker in his hip pocket.  Heis quite explosive getting out to the flat and should be used on more wheel routes to take advantage of the mismatches between him and linebackers. The running back has breakaway speed in the open space, can bust out a jump cut without thinking, and is more than willing to get airborne for extra yardage.  The rookie may need to reconsider leaving his feet as often as he does or Bernard may be more likely to face serious injury.

The Bengals did well on the screen plays they ran with Bernard as he looked like a downhill skier, weaving in and out of the trees.  He did ok as a pass blocker, but is not in the same class as the seasoned BJGE.  Bernard has a solid base, keeps his feet, and shows effort which is a lot of pass blocking.  It was encouraging that Bernard caught each of his four targets for 49 yards.  The rookie should be a solid RB2 for most dynasty formats with a 50/50 shot to score every week.  There is no reason to think that he will not become a true RB1 once the coaching staff entrusts more touches to him in their game plan.

Tyler Eifert, TE CIN

This is what I saw Eifert do in college:  Eifert was a one man wrecking crew for the Golden Domers.  He lined up in the slot, outside, wingback, or in-line and got motioned out often to get the best matchups against the weakest coverage.  The athletic tight end can do whatever is needed catching the ball or running with it, but blocking seems to have eluded his skill set. Eifert gets in the way of defenders, but they usually just throw him aside like a rag doll.

He is a dangerous weapon as the young tight end attacks the ball at his highest point and fights through physical coverage.  As soon as Eifert has the ball in his hands, he will do whatever it takes including busting out a spin more or fighting for extra yardage with his constant leg drive. He is clearly the number one tight end in his class.

Here is what I saw from Eifert against the Packers:  The rookie got used all over the field as he lined up as an inline blocker, in the slot, as an outside wide receiver, and as a fullback.  Unfortunately, it did not amount to many targets (only had two) or fantasy production (one catch for seven yards).  The rookie tight end’s only catch was a contested one as the linebacker was all over him as he looked in the ball.  Eifert received the least amount of targets of any of the Bengals receivers, which is a bit confusing considering he is the third best receiving option after AJ Green and fellow rookie Bernard.

The rookie contributes in other ways as Eifert is effective getting in the defenders way as he did a decent job sealing the outside corner on Bernard’s touchdown run.  Lining up in multiple positions gives defenses a lot more to think about, but Eifert may have to wait for Jermaine Gresham’s rookie contract to expire before his targets greatly increase. Over the previous two NFL games Eifert received five targets, but the Packers have better coverage linebackers which caused Andy Dalton to throw to his wide receivers more often.

I would not be counting on Eifert as more than a TE2 and hopefully have him as a TE3 for this year.  His production will not be easily predicted from week to week in this offense.  It would be ambitious to count on more than 700 yards and three to four touchdowns for him in year one.

For follow-up questions or information, contact me on twitter @AndrewMiley.