The Cincinnati Bengals made a move to bolster their running back room post-NFL draft by reaching an agreement with Elijah Collins, a former Michigan State starter and Oklahoma State transfer.
The news was initially reported by Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler on April 27 and later confirmed by KPRC2 NFL insider Aaron Wilson, who provided details on the deal, including an $8,000 signing bonus to secure the 6-foot running back in Cincinnati.
Collins made a splash in his freshman year at Michigan State in 2019, accumulating over 1,000 scrimmage yards, primarily from 988 rushing yards at an average of 4.5 yards per carry, and scoring five touchdowns. However, his college career faced challenges in subsequent seasons, marked by injuries and fluctuating performance levels.
Following his standout freshman season, Collins encountered difficulties, including a lackluster sophomore year during the COVID-19 pandemic, where his yards per carry dropped to a career-low 2.2. In 2021, injuries hampered his playing time, although he showed improvement in yards per carry. Despite fluctuations in opportunities and production, Collins demonstrated resilience and potential, especially in his bounce-back 2022 season with over 400 scrimmage yards.
After transferring to Oklahoma State, Collins maintained consistency in his yards per carry, showcasing his athleticism with impressive pro day results, including a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump. His performance and reliability in yards per carry likely influenced the Bengals’ decision to bring him on board.
In Cincinnati, Collins joins a running back room led by Zack Moss, who is expected to take over as the starter following Joe Mixon’s departure. The group also includes Chase Brown, Chris Evans, and Trayveon Williams, offering Collins an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and potentially secure the RB3 role during training camp.
While Moss and Brown are likely to headline the depth chart, Collins has the chance to make an impact and challenge for a significant role within the Bengals’ running back rotation. His strong showing in training camp could lead to tough decisions for the coaching staff as they evaluate the composition of the backfield for the upcoming season.
Collins made a significant impact in his debut season at Michigan State in 2019 after a redshirt year.
He recorded more than 1,000 scrimmage yards, primarily gaining 988 rushing yards at an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Additionally, Collins found the end zone five times for the Spartans during that impressive year.
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