Cincinnati Bengals select Illinois running back Chase Brown in fifth round of NFL draft

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted running back Chase Brown with the No. 163 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Running back was arguably the Bengals' biggest need heading into the draft simply based off numbers. Samaje Perine signed with the Denver Broncos in free agency leaving the Bengals with a hole to fill as the No. 2 running back and third-down back. With Joe Mixon's future uncertain at this point, drafting Brown gives the Bengals options to pair with Trayveon Williams and Chirs Evans.

At Illinois, Brown rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of 12 games and totaled 3,206 yards on the ground in four seasons. He added 48 catches for 446 yards and three touchdowns and started all 12 regular season games. Brown forced 83 missed tackles and trailed on Bijan Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Brown's draft stock was on the rise after the Senior Bowl as he was named the running back of the week for his team. At the NFL combine, Brown recorded the best vertical jump and broad jump out of all running backs. These are traits that show up on tape in how explosive he is. He finsihed second in the FBS in runs of 10-plus yards with 48.

When asked what the Bengals like most about Brown, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said his producitvity, vision, patience, speed and character stand out above all. He's a twitchy, one-cut runner who can give the Bengals a needed boost in an area they underacheived last season.

The biggest knock on Brown coming into the league is the number of fumbles (five) he had last season. His twin brother, Sydney, is a safety and was drafted by the Eagles in the third round.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NFL draft 2023: Cincinnati Bengals pick Illinois RB Chase Brown