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Many Bengals fans weren’t excited by Cincinnati’s haul Geno Atkins Jersey , but Mel Kiper thinks there is reason for optimism."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBAMel Kiper was a huge fan of the Bengals draftNew,162commentsMany Bengals fans weren’t excited by Cincinnati’s haul, but Mel Kiper thinks there is reason for optimism.EDTShareTweetShareShareMel Kiper was a huge fan of the Bengals draftCincinnati Enquirer-USA TODAY NEThe Bengals 2019 draft is over, and Zac Taylor’s first set of rookies is set. However, some frustrations have seem to boiled over from the draft with fans upset over the Bengals’ haul. It is true that the Bengals had some picks that were shocking, but there is still some overreaction taking place. After all, none of these guys have even stepped on the field yet.One draft expert really did love how the Bengals draft set out. ESPN’s Mel Kiper gave the Bengals one of the highest grades of any team this year. Here is some of what he had to say in regard to the Bengals 2019 class:Grade A-Kiper hits the nail on the head with this not being a sexy draft class. The Bengals passed up flashier players like quarterback Dwayne Haskins or a pass rusher at no. 11 to address their struggling offensive line.Cincinnati feels like they got a future left tackle, which some experts disagree with, but at worst they probably have a career right tackle or guard, which is still something the Bengals desperately needed.There is no question though that how you feel about this draft coincides directly with your feelings about the Bengals passing on Haskins at No. 11, seemingly reaching for tight end Drew Sample and their three fourth round picks in general. How those three areas play out going forward will make or break this draft.The only team to get a higher grade than the Bengals were the Colts, who really did crush the draft themselves by completely laying down a foundation for their defense going forward. Three other teams received an A- including the Patriots Tyler Eifert Jersey , Browns and Washington. Obviously, anytime your team is being mentioned in the same breath as New England as far as draft accomplishments it is a good things. It is interesting to see Cleveland included as well. They are the other team in the AFC North with an emerging young nucleus, and depending on how Andy Dalton plays under Taylor, these two teams could be competing for the AFC North for awhile.It is pretty hard to grade a draft right after it happens though. Sure, we could try and determine who reached for what players based off months of mock drafts and arbitrary values, but what really matters is how these players develop. If these guys aren’t on the team in four years, then it is hard to be proud of an A- grade days after the draft has completed. The Bengals running back room just got a lot bigger, and this is a very good sign."Joe Mixon had an excellent year running the football in 2018. He is a patient runner who can find cutback lanes in zone schemes, but has the power to convert in short yardage situations. He is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, but was not trusted in pass protection last season. That is where Giovani Bernard came in handy. Bernard lacks size, but is a shifty back with speed and is a talented pass catcher. He was always on the field at the end of the game, when it mattered most because of his skill as a pass blocker.Both Mixon and Bernard are skilled backs Carlos Dunlap Jersey , but they possess different sets of skills. Bernard’s ability to protect the quarterback sets him apart while Mixon (who is 6-1 220 compared to Bernard’s 5-9 205) is more of the workhorse.When Mixon missed some time last season, the Bengals struggled because Bernard could not do the things that the team had been asking of Mixon. At the same time, with Bernard out of the lineup, Mixon struggled to fill his role. That is why in the 2019 NFL Draft the Bengals selected not one, but two running backs.First, they took Trayveon Williams from Texas A&M. Williams is the same size as Bernard and despite that perceived disadvantage, he was actually used as a workhorse for the Aggies in 2018. Williams exceeded 2,000 yards from scrimmage on 271 carries and 27 receptions; finding the end zone a total of 19 times as well. He is also perhaps the best pass protector in the draft, and coming from Texas A&M, he has familiarity with the pass-blocking schemes new offensive line coach Jim Turner favors.29 picks later, Cincinnati selected Rodney Anderson from Oklahoma. Playing for the Sooners is not the only thing Anderson has in common with Mixon. Anderson shares Mixon’s size and ability to run for power. He is also patient and sees cutbacks on zone runs. He can catch balls out of the backfield but struggles in pass protection. The Bengals realize that Mixon and Bernard both play important roles and that neither can truly fill in the other’s shoes, so they went out and got a backup for each. Think of it like this: Mixon is RB1a and Bernard is RB1b. Both will play a role in games Dre Kirkpatrick Jersey , but if one goes down, the other’s role will not change substantially. Instead, if Mixon has to miss some time they will call on their RB2a, Anderson. If Bernard can not go on a given week, then RB2b, Williams, will get the call.This shows that the Bengals understand their roster and that just because two players play the same position, doesn’t mean they can do the same things. It also may point to an increased role for Bernard this season. Perhaps Mixon and Bernard will be on the field together in a Mark Ingram/Alvin Kamara style, with one lined up out of the backfield. One can only hope that the Bengals will make moves like this that result in their best players on the field at the same time.