RADIO
Giovani Bernard 2018 Outlook: Should See Increased Role
6 years agoGiovani Bernard was stuck in a three-headed committee in Cincinnati to start 2017 with Jeremy Hill and Joe Mixon, but once Hill was placed on IR his role grew. In the first seven games of the season, when Hill and Mixon were active, Bernard averaged just 7.0 PPG. In the final nine games, without Hill, he averaged 11.33 PPG. With Hill having moved on to New England Bernard will play the change of pace role with Joe Mixon as the lead back. This should give Bernard plenty of stand alone value as a flex. He also offers immense upside as a handcuff in the event Mixon goes down. In the two games Mixon missed last year, plus Week 16 when Mixon left after one quarter, Bernard averaged 20.7 PPG. Bernard has been forgotten by fantasy drafters, but he is one of the best running back values in 2018 drafts.
