The fantasy football season started on Thursday with a crazy performance from Peyton Manning that saw him throw for seven touchdowns and about a thousand fantasy points and as the NFL schedule comes on Sunday, players will be looking for value and in the 2013 season there might not be a pick with more upside than Bengals running back Giovani Bernard.
It can be hard at times to judge rookie running backs and Bernard is no different, but this season for owners, especially in PPR leagues, he could have a huge upside as a pass catcher out of the backfield. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a solid running back option, but having Bernard behind him makes the team better and with the speed of the rookies, the Bengals now have another explosive player with the likes of AJ Green.
Green-Ellis is an older player and he could break down getting towards the end of the season, but Bernard's best quality is his speed and talent and that may end up wining out. Even if he doesn't end up being the starter, all teams use two running backs enough and with him coming out of North Carolina with plenty of skills, he will be on the field quite a bit. Bernard may not rack up touchdowns, but he should catch plenty of passes from Andy Dalton out of the backfield in Jay Gruden's offensive scheme.
The Bengals have shown that they are committed to rushing the ball and while Bernard is going around 67th in drafts, don't be afraid to reach for him because he could end up being the best pick in the whole league this year. The Bengals were 22nd in scoring last season and to be a playoff team again, they will need to improve and that is why Bernard should get more looks this season.
Bernard rushed for over 1,000 yards in both his seasons as a Tar Heel and last season he has 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with 47 catches and 450 yards and five scores. The previous season he had 45 catches and those numbers bode well for the NFL. Teams like getting quick players out in the flat and as an RB he will get that plenty. Bernard also could be used in goal line sets even though he is smaller and in PPR leagues he is a must-grab.