BenJarvus Green-Ellis

Green-Ellis had an up-and-down first year in Cincinnati but showed his potential as he racked up 543 yards on 5.1 YPC in Weeks 11-15, including six carries of more than 20 yards, four 100-yard games and three touchdowns. That didn't stop the Bengals from taking Giovani Bernard as the first running back in this year's draft, though. Bernard is considered the best receiving back in the rookie class and should be in the game on most third downs if his pass protection improves. Nonetheless, Bernard's not expected to overtake Green-Ellis as the starter or from in close where Green-Ellis saw 21 rushes inside the 10-yard line last year (7th). As one of the NFL's toughest between-the-tackles runners and better goal-line backs, the 5-11, 220-pound Green-Ellis could find himself in the end zone more in 2013 as the Bengals offense improves.

Green-Ellis ran for just 667 yards last season, though he added 11 touchdowns, giving him 24 scores over the past two years. He can best be described as a runner who takes what's blocked for him, not producing many negative plays and never putting the ball on the ground. But he's rarely able to make anyone miss or create extra yards on his own. Signing with Cincinnati has its plusses and minuses, as he'll likely see more than the 11.9 touches per game he got in New England last season, but he'll almost certainly be given fewer scoring opportunities (his 20 goal-line carries were the fourth most in the NFL). This will come down to opportunity, and it doesn't appear the Bengals trust Bernard Scott as anything more than a change-of-pace back, and there are no other real alternatives on the roster. As such, Green-Ellis could take over the departed Cedric Benson's role as a plodder who secures fantasy value simply through volume.

Green-Ellis eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdowns on the ground, second most in the NFL last season. Danny Woodhead was in the mix, but Green-Ellis essentially took over New England’s backfield in the second half of the year. While he’s a capable runner who’s yet to fumble during his career, he’s hardly special, as he benefited greatly from New England’s terrific run blocking. According to Pro Football Focus, Green-Ellis’ ratio of forced missed tackles per attempt ranked among the bottom 20 running backs in the NFL, so he can’t do much on his own. He also struggles in pass protection, which might be a big reason why the Patriots used a second-round pick on Shane Vereen. Green-Ellis can retain value as the favorite to act as New England’s goal-line back (he was 8-for-15 there last season), but don’t be surprised if his rushing attempts take a significant hit while he’s competing for carries with Woodhead and two rookies.

Green-Ellis is one of five returnees in the 2010 New England backfield. He wasn't needed as much in 2009 (26 carries) as he was the previous season as a rookie, when he had 74 carries for 275 yards with five TDs, but the coaching staff trusts him to produce when he is needed.

Green-Ellis, who had been signed as an undrafted free agent, saw more time than expected last season after a rash of injuries hit the Patriots' backfield and did a respectable job in the process. He finished the 2008 season with 74 carries for 275 yards and five rushing TDs in nine games. Whether it's with New England as a reserve or another team, he has likely earned himself a shot to stay on an NFL roster wire-to-wire next year.

Green-Ellis is a power runner whose lack of timed speed was the likely culprit for his falling out of the draft. Still, he gives the Pats some insurance in case something happens to either of their backups, Sammy Morris or Kevin Faulk.