2017 NFL Draft: Running Back

2017 NFL Draft Running Backs

What an excellent running back class this is. Fournette is a once in a decade prospect and there are at least 3 other first round caliber backs. I like the mix of big backs and highly talented scat backs.

Leonard Fournette-RB-LSU-6’0”-240-Top 10-98

Fournette exploded onto the national scene early in the 2015 season as a Heisman front runner. After that his season cooled off slightly finishing with 1953 yards and 22 TD’s, but there was plenty of chatter that he was completely NFL ready as a true sophomore. He is a rare rare athlete. At 240 lbs he’s enormous and people say he looks more like a linebacker than a running back but holy shit can he tote the rock. Running a 4.51 second 40 yard dash at the combine only confirms his speed. On the field he looks even faster. Comparisons to Adrian Peterson and Bo Jackson seem lofty, but seriously watch him play, who can you think of that is that big and still has balance fluidity and finishing speed? Leonard is the rare running back you can still build an offense around even in 2017. He’ll pound it up the middle, break tackles, wear down a defense, and unlock huge play-action potential. Durability is the primary concern because he runs a little high and will take a pounding. Lingering ankle issue bothered him in 2016. He’s a neck and neck prospect with Ezekiel Elliott because Fournette should be a stronger runner, but Elliott brought much more in the passing game. Draft Fournette in the top 5 and sign a receiving back, done.

Christian McCaffrey-RB-Stanford-5’11”-202-1st-93

Outstanding collegiate football player. Set the record for all purpose yards in a season in 2015. He carries the ball inside and out, is a terrific receiving threat and adds return value. He had 748 touches over the last two seasons! He displayed his durability, but at the next level he shouldn’t be asked to take that type of punishment. I like the all around game, the work ethic, and the character. But, he’s undersized. It’s too bad because I think he’s a good between the tackles runner, but he’s not going to be a 215+ pound back that can carry it inside 20 times a game. Now he can still be your primary running back by snap count, but he won’t be your every series first down back the way Dalvin Cook can be. For as much hoopla that’s being made over the devaluation of traditional running backs, I don’t think enough is made of the increased value for scat backs. They used to be called 3rd down backs, but they’ve expanded their role to the point of being a team’s number one back. McCaffrey is a premier scat back prospect. He’s proven all the skills necessary including 4.48 finishing speed and he’s a plus inside runner. He’s not as shifty and laterally gifted as Gio Bernard, but he’ll break more tackles. I expect Christian to be a very good NFL running back, playing style similar to Marshall Faulk. Think shorter Le’veon Bell, great patience and stutter.

Dalvin Cook-RB-Florida State-5’10”-210-1st-92

Very talented back in both the running and passing game putting up over 1600 yards rushing each of the last two seasons and tacking on nearly 500 receiving yards in 2016 alone. Home run speed that only tested at 4.49, but he may be a shade faster than McCaffrey. Cook runs pretty straight up which isn’t a problem at his height but impacts how much power he runs with. He’s a forward/cut back runner, does not move well laterally like former Seminole Devonta Freeman. Reminds me a lot of Lamar Miller. Cook is a speed back with enough size to run between the tackles and he brings a level of patience in order to set up blocks. Coming out of Florida State’s pro style offense, Dalvin is scheme diverse and may fit best in a spread system. What makes him a first round pick and a special player is what he can add in the receiving game. He has the athleticism to get open and is a natural hands catcher. Unfortunately he did have some drops and the 13 fumbles at FSU is too many. There are off the field concerns with Dalvin. He was arrested for robbery and weapon possession in high school and then for battery in a bar fight in 2015. Charges were dropped or he was found not guilty in all cases. Probably more worrisome are the hamstring issues and 3 shoulder surgeries. Rotator cuff and labrum injuries are more commonly associated with quarterbacks, but you can’t play running back and take that punishment with bum shoulders. I think he has the size and ability to be a feature back in the running and passing game. The injury, off the field, and ball security drawbacks put him behind McCaffrey for me, but he’s still a 1st round caliber player.

Alvin Kamara-RB-Tennessee-5’10”-214-1st/2nd Round-91

I made a note last fall that I liked this kid. Kamara initially went to Alabama, but injuries and a logjam lead him to transfer to community college and finally to Tennessee. Though college did not go as expected for one of the top recruits out of high school, Alvin is still in line to be a high choice and difference maker in the NFL. Kamara has good size and consistently runs through arm tackles. He has terrific balance and a decent burst (39” vert), but does not have breakaway speed with a 4.56 second 40 yard dash. Long legged for his frame, he runs with a good forward lean that reminds me of Frank Gore. He did not rush for over 700 yards in either season at Tennessee, he was part of a platoon and missed time with a knee injury in 2016. Never had 20 carries in a game with the Vols, I don’t expect that to change at the next level. He might push his way into the first round because of his receiving ability. He has natural easy hands and has the flexibility to line up in the slot. I really like this kid and his playing style reminds me of Ricky Watters. Size, burst, and receiving ability are plus, his detractions are injury history, lack of production, and bouncing around to 3 different schools.

Joe Mixon-RB-Oklahoma-6’1”-226-3rd Round/Day-82

We all know about the time he punched a woman at a restaurant. He was suspended a season by Oklahoma and nobody mentioned it until the video was made public. The Patriots have already said they won’t give him a look but each team must decide how they feel about Mixon and his high profile situation. It was a terrible act that cannot be condoned, but some team will give him a second chance after he made a mistake at age 18. Quick side note, people keep saying he committed domestic violence. He punched a stranger at a bar who was a female, there’s nothing domestic about that, it’s just violence. It’s unacceptable, but call it what it is. Now on the field he’s a first round talent. Good size for the position, catches the ball well, and has speed to take it to the house. He averaged over 6.7 yards per carry in his two seasons at Oklahoma and he added nearly 900 yards receiving in two seasons. Without any off field concerns he might've been the second running back taken. Mixon looks a heck of a lot like Le’Veon Bell, but he doesn’t have anywhere near the savvy of Bell. Mixon is a full speed runner with average vision and feel. But Mixon can hit a higher gear than Bell can. Joe was not invited to the combine but did jump 35” and run a 4.47 40 at his pro day. If he had no off field issues he’d be in a dead heat with Dalvin Cook for me, but because of those concerns I dropped him a full round grade. Like I said, it’s a sensitive issue and each team will make their own evaluations. We’ll see where he goes but his situation is so high profile I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes it to day 3.

Samaje Perine-RB-Oklahoma-5’11”-233-2nd Day-79

This dude is thick. Been watching him for a few years and I think part of his success was due to the fact he was so much more developed than everyone. He was a full grown man at 19 and set the NCAA record rushing for 427 yards in a game. He’s a big balanced back who’s difficult to wrap up and bring down. Immediately Perine will be a heavy back with early down, short yardage, and goalline responsibilities. He has a low ceiling because he’s not a game breaker with a 4.65 second 40 yard dash. But Samaje has a high floor because he’s a proven power back with NFL size and top notch character. Michael Turner comparison could not be more spot on.