Giovani Bernard

The Buccaneers reportedly signed RB Giovani Bernard because Tampa Bay running backs struggled with drops in 2020.

Fantasy Impact

Bernard signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers on Tuesday. “The Bucs were easily the worst team in the NFL in drops by running backs last season,” per Greg Auman of The Athletic. “Bucs running backs had 17 drops last year. No other team had more than 12 from their backs. Fournette had seven drops on 47 targets, Jones had five on 42, and rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn had three drops in 10 passes. Together, those 17 drops are as many as the Jets, Titans, Colts, Cardinals, and Seahawks backs combined for last season.” Bernard gives QB Tom Brady another receiving weapon and is considered one of the best pass-catching backs in the NFL. The 29-year-old rushed for 416 yards on 124 attempts and three rushing touchdowns along with 47 receptions on 59 targets for 355 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns across 16 games for the Bengals in 2020. Bernard has more value in PPR formats and is currently 62nd among all running backs in the latest expert consensus draft rankings.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that RB Giovani Bernard is signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fantasy Impact

Pelissero went on to say that both Tom Brady and HC Bruce Arians both personally recruited Bernard. In 2020, Bernard rushed for 416 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also caught 47 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. This is a great addition to the Bucs backfield and will give Brady another weapon in the receiving game. Bernard is one of the best receiving backs in the game and will look to form chemistry with Brady during the offseason. The Bengals had asked Bernard to take a pay cut this offseason and he asked for his release shortly after.

The Cincinnati Bengals have released RB Giovani Bernard.

Fantasy Impact

According to Mike Garafolo, Bernard asked the Bengals for his release two weeks into free agency when the team asked him to take a pay cut. He’ll likely find a suitor in the very near future, and the Bengals will move forward with Samaje Perine as their backup running back to starter Joe Mixon.

Tom Pelissero with NFL Network is reporting that multiple teams have inquired about Giovani Bernard.

Fantasy Impact

Bernard, 29 years old, saw 10 starts in 2020 with Joe Mixon missing the majority of the season due to a foot injury. Over those 10 starts, Bernard averaged 11.2 carries for 37.2 yards and 3.1 receptions for 24.0 yards with five total touchdowns. Although the numbers were a bit disappointing, Bernard is best-suited as a passing-down back. With Mixon expected back next year and Semaje Perine inking a fresh two-year deal, Bernard may be the odd-man-out. It's yet to be reported what teams are inquiring, but the veteran running back could find himself somewhere besides Cincinnati for the first time since he was drafted there in the second round of 2013.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard carried the ball three times for seven yards in a 38-3 loss to the Ravens in Week 17.

Fantasy Impact

Bernard didn't get much work in the blowout loss. The pass-catching specialist finishes the 2020 season with 47 receptions. He should be back next year as a change-of-pace option behind starter Joe Mixon.