Like Bernard, Walton is undersized. Bernard and Walton are both 5’9 202 pounds. Mixon has a big advantage in the Bengals running back room at 6’1 228 pounds. Even NFL.Com posed the question “Jeremy Hill replacement: Bengals draft RB Mark Walton.”
Walton like his Miami Hurricanes teammate tight end Christopher Herndon IV likely fell a round or two in the NFL Draft due to his season-ending injury. Walton’s injury was the latest in a lot of adversity throughout his life. NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks spoke about his toughness.
"“I really, really like Mark Walton…I like him, I thought he was an efficient player. He’s a guy that is tough, he’s physical, he’s wired the right way… When you look at him, I just think he’s a grinder. I think when you put him behind Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard, he’s another guy that can get into the rotation. A productive football player that has a chance to be a really good pro.”"
Bernard was excited to add another talented running back to the Bengals roster.
That RB room ain’t no joke 😂😂 LEGGO!! https://t.co/2Ds45XOVKq
— Giovani Bernard (@G_Bernard25) April 28, 2018
Walton was on pace for career highs last season before being sidelined for the year with the torn ankle ligaments after the Florida State game. In five games he had 428 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Walton added four receptions for another 91 yards.
The majority of Walton’s numbers came in the first three weeks before he re-aggravated the ankle injury that initially occurred in the Hurricanes second game of 2017 against Toledo.