The Bengals surprised a lot of people when they pulled the trigger on LSU running back Jeremy Hill in the second round of the 2014 Draft. This was the second time in as many years that the Bengals had used a second rounder on a running back, picking Giovani Bernard last draft. With Bernard entrenched as the starting running back and BenJarvus Green-Ellis still on the roster, what should we expect from Hill in 2014?

Jeremy Hill is a 6’1”, 233 pound battering ram who will provide the thunder to Bernards lightning. Bengals new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has already said that he wants to make the run game more of a focus of this offense. Adding another big, bruising back like Hill will give them that ability. Andy Dalton was eighth in the league in passing attempts and if the Bengals want to go farther, that can’t happen again.

While the Bengals already have Green-Ellis who can excel in short yardage situations, he isn’t a threat to take it to the house or to catch many balls out of the backfield. Hill gives them that power running game that Gree-Ellis does, but he also can break one for a big play, as well as catch the ball out of the backfield. Hill has speed to take a run all the way to the house, which is something Green-Ellis just doesn’t bring to the table.

Hill will have to beat Green-Ellis out for the number two running back job, but that doesn’t seem like it will be a problem. Let’s be honest, you don’t take a back in the second round for him to sit the bench. There is a good chance the Bengals part ways with Green-Ellis this summer at some point opening up all the carries that Bernard doesn’t get for Hill. He just has to take advantage of the opportunity he has and run with it.

Hill ran for 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns last season at LSU while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. That shows he has big play ability that Green-Ellis doesn’t. Expect Hill to come in right away and be the number two back behind Bernard. He will likely split time with Bernard to the tune of 60/40 or so. I expect Hill to get somewhere between 8 and 12 touches a game. He will likely also be used in the majority of short yardage situations. If he excels in that role, he could be looking at more touches per game.