The Cincinnati Bengals are entering the 2025 NFL season with the goal to return to the top of the AFC. Behind star quarterback Joe Burrow and explosive receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals’ have the firepower to get close to their target. But they will need other playmakers to pair with their superstars. And to that end, an under-the-radar rookie running back, Tahj Brooks, is quietly emerging as a big-time contributor and potential game-changer from day one.
The Bengals’ backfield has recently been hit with som volatility as veteran Zack Moss was released due to injury concerns. Because of this, Cincinnati will need other young running backs to step up. Tahj Brooks, a later-round pick, is answering the call early in training camp.
According to Bengals Wire, coach Zack Taylor and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher have publicly expressed enthusiasm about Brooks’ skill set, especially noting his pass-catching versatility out of the backfield. This is a critical component in an offense led by Joe Burrow, who frequently employs checkdowns and quick passes to his running backs.
While his pass catching his obviously important, it’s Brooks’ talent level as a rusher that draws the most praise. Looking at his collegiate performance it’s clear why. Compared with peers like Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jarquez Hunter (Los Angeles Rams), and even Dallas Cowboys rookie Jaydon Blue, Brooks consistently posts top-tier overall grades and rushing grades across multiple seasons (based on data from Pro Football Focus, or PFF).
Brooks’ three-year average grade outpaces many higher-profile draft peers. This signals consistency and reliability. This steadiness is exactly what the Bengals need as they chase a championship this season. Potential one year wonders carry risk. Brooks is a much safer bet. His rushing grade follows a similar trend:
The Bengals’ championship hopes hinge on a balanced attack: strong quarterback play, dynamic receivers, and a dependable ground game. Brooks’ consistency, ability to catch passes, and rushing prowess show the potential to elevate the ground attack beyond previous years.
Notably, analytics show Cincinnati’s running backs performed well in receiving facets last season. As the chart below shows, they were above league average in expected points added per target. But they lagged significantly in rushing efficiency. Brooks offers a solution to that imbalance by delivering above-average rushing performance based on his college grades and early camp showings. And Brooks should be just as efficient as other Bengals backs in the passing game because he will benefit from many of the same situations (teams dropping deep in coverage to counter Chase and Higgins) that they did.
Tahj Brooks’ emergence not only provides depth but may also reshape the Bengals offense, giving Joe Burrow more weapons to keep defenses off balance. As training camp progresses and the regular season nears, all eyes should be on this polished rookie ready to contribute on day one.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
