RADIO
Samaje Perine 2022 Outlook: Losing Ground In Third-Down Role
2 years agoAs long as Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon stays healthy, Samaje Perine will have nothing more than a complementary role in Cincy's backfield. Mixon struggled in pass protection in 2021, however, which caused the Bengals to rely heavily on Perine on third downs down the stretch, and he averaged 9.2 third-down snaps per game. It helped the 26-year-old Perine rack up a career-high 27 receptions on 31 targets for 196 yards and one touchdown in 16 regular season games. Even with Perine's expanded role in the passing game last year, he never had standalone fantasy value in PPR formats. He should once again be in the mix on third downs in 2022, but second-year back Chris Evans should have his role expanded and is breathing down Perine's neck for the No. 2 role in the Bengals backfield. Evans is younger and has more upside as a late-round flier.
