The Cincinnati Bengals selected North Carolina Tarheels running back Giovani Bernard with the No. 37 pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Bernard is rated as the No. 55 overall prospect and No. 2 running back in his draft class by SB Nation’s Dan Kadar.
NFL Draft results 2013: Giovani Bernard selected by Bengals with No. 37 pick
Giovani Bernard was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was arguably the best pure ball carrier available in his class, but questions still abound whether his relatively slight frame will hold up at the next level.
Grant Halverson
In Cincinnati, Bernard will definitely have a chance to start right away, as BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a solid player, but more of a short-yardage player. Bernard offers the Bengals the home-run threat that the team has gone many seasons without.
Depending on who else you ask, Bernard was arguably the best running back in the 2013 NFL Draft and ended up being the first taken off the board. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry on his way to 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground for the Tar Heels in 2012. He was also excellent as a receiving option, catching 47 passes for another 490 yards and five touchdowns. At 5’8, 202 pounds, Bernard isn’t the biggest back. He is a relatively strong runner, however, who can cut on a dime thanks to his quick footwork.
His frame does raise legitimate questions as to whether he can handle a full workload at the next level. It certainly doesn’t help that he has already suffered a torn ACL once in his career. Nonetheless, Bernard is a natural rusher who should be able to carve out a regular role in the NFL.
Combine results
Height: 5’8
Weight: 202 pounds
Hand size: 9 3/8 inches
40-yard dash: 4.53 seconds
Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
Broad jump: 122 inches
Three-cone drill: 6.91 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.12 seconds
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