Coley Harvey, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Bengals rusher Jeremy Hill motivated to build on breakout rookie season

CINCINNATI -- Knee-deep in the long march to training camp, we're taking a look all this week at seven Cincinnati Bengals who could have breakout seasons in 2015.

Whether it's because of their young age, previous performance or other factors, these players haven't had a chance to become significant pieces of the Bengals' system -- until now. A couple ended up becoming regular contributors late last season, but they could become even bigger household names later this fall. Let's start tracking a few reasons why.

After exploring Darqueze Dennard's promise for a breakout year on Monday, Rex Burkhead's potential for an expanded role on Tuesday, Will Clarke's ability to possibly help a fledgling pass rush on Wednesday and the comparatively high climb AJ McCarron made up the depth chart on Thursday, we focus next on:

RB JEREMY HILL

Years in NFL: One

Age: 22

When drafted: Second round (No. 55 overall), 2014

2014 stats: 222 rushes, 1,124 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns, 27 receptions, 215 receiving yards, 5 fumbles

Why he's poised to break out: As we mentioned up above, some of the players we're tracking here are already household names. Hill most certainly is among them. In fact, a strong case could be made that if it wasn't for Hill, the Bengals' postseason berth last season may not have happened. After all, he was the NFL's leading rusher across the final nine weeks of the season and became a valued piece of an offense that scuffled at times due to injuries at the pass-catching positions.

So what makes him a candidate to become an even bigger force for the Bengals this season? The fact he's expected to get more opportunities than a year ago. Remember, when the 2014 season began, he was treated just like a rookie. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson elected to hand off to Hill only 40 times through the first six games. It wasn't until Giovani Bernard got injured in the fifth of those games -- an overtime tie at home against Carolina -- that it started becoming more clear that Hill was going to have to play. With Bernard injured for parts of six games, Hill's opportunities grew.

In the three games Bernard completely missed due to collarbone and hip injuries, Hill averaged 21 carries. Four weeks later, with Bernard back in the rotation, Jackson named Hill the starter at the position. And although Jackson wants to be reasonably balanced in how he uses the pair this season, he has good reason to still ride Hill as his workhorse.

It seems Hill is preparing for that very usage. He said earlier this offseason he's been focusing on strengthening his legs in the weight room in hopes of better acceleration into the second level of opposing defenses. He felt like he left several yards on the field last year when he was brought down too regularly by the first defender to make contact with him. According to ESPN Stats & Information, though, he actually had the fourth-best yards after contact average in the league last year. Still, that wasn't enough for Hill.

Could the Pro Bowl be on the horizon? It appears that's the next step for the young back, who already has established himself a trendy fantasy pickup. Another 1,000-yard season and solid play in nationally televised games like last December's Monday night win over Denver, and he could earn the votes to make his first all-star game. A couple more expertly executed touchdown dances could help, too.

This figures to be a year Hill can break out even more onto the national stage.

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