Could Rudi face competition?

# 25. Bengals backup RB: Kenny Watson vs. Kenny Irons

Must resist lame South Park joke. Irons was drafted to replace Chris Perry, who is likely to start the year on the PUP list. First Irons will have to pass Watson as the team’s third-down back. Smart money is on the rookie. Watson is a serviceable reserve who helps on special teams, but the Bengals would rather he not have to carry a big load.

In fact, there are some that believe Irons could challenge Rudi. I don’t that will happen until later in the season, but Marvin Lewis has mentioned on his top priorities is improving the team’s yards-per-carry. If Rudi doesn’t get back above 4.0, the Bengals backfield could look like a committee late in the year. That makes Irons one of our favorite late running back fliers – if he wins the backup job in camp.