Ranking AFC North running backs heading into 2020
By Tommy Jaggi
3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have very few positions that are currently better than what the Steelers have on their roster, but running back is one of them. Though James Conner was a Pro Bowl player for Pittsburgh in 2018, Joe Mixon is a better overall running back who excels at each phase of the game.
Despite missing some time over each of his first three seasons, Mixon is coming off back-to-back years of at least 1,100 yards and at least 8 total touchdowns while still somehow managing to rush for over 4.0 yards per carry behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines.
Conner, on the other hand, managed just 464 yards on 4.0 per carry in 10 games last season. While Pittsburgh may be four deep at the position, Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell have not proven to be anything above replacement-level players. The combination of Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard for the Bengals is better than any the Steelers currently have.