2019 NFL Draft Running Back Prospect Primer

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Posted a wide receiver prospect primer yesterday that seemed to go over well, so here's a look at the top 20 running backs in the draft. Rankings are as per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. The evaluations are summed up by me after reading scouting reports.

 

1. Josh Jacobs, Alabama (Junior)
5'10" | 220 

The Good: Solid build for the position, solid balance and instincts, patient but decisive, effective as a single back or behind lead blocker, allows OL to do their job, has the speed to bounce outside, effective catching the ball out of the backfield.

Needs Work: May lack homerun speed, doesn't adjust speed as needed, rarely asked to handle blitz pickups on third downs.

Projection: Round 1

 

2. Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic (Junior)
5'7" | 203 | 4.66

The Good: Very productive with a nose for the end zone, quick to process and respond to oncoming traffic, usually breaks initial tackle attempts, short-area quickness is top notch, excellent field vision, quick feet give ability to be sudden in stop-starts and cuts, able to maintain balance through traffic, threat out of the backfield.

Needs Work: Above average mileage than the usual prospect, lacks top-end speed to outrun defenders, can be excessive with cuts leading to lost yardage, will need to hone in his style to be more disciplined at the NFL level.

Projection: Round 2

 

3. David Montgomery, Iowa State (Junior)
5'10" | 222 | 4.63

The Good: Prototypical RB size, instinctive runner with an array of moves, patient and sets up his blocks, superb contact balance, agile enough to elude one tackler and punish the next, offers a lot as a receiver, blocks and recognizes the blitz well.

Needs Work: High volume of carries in college, takes a fairly large number of hard hits, below-average burst in space, low number of explosive carries in college, lacks pure speed to outrun defenders.

Projection: Round 2/3

 

4. Elijah Holyfield, Georgia (Junior)
5'10" | 217 | 4.78

The Good: Furious and powerful runner, quick process and response skills, explosive downhill bursts, feet are constantly moving, shifts running style from smooth to angry in an instant, tough to bring down, will drag tacklers for extra yards.

Needs Work: Show impatience in allowing OL to set up blocks and will bail too soon and look for an alternate route, lacks finesse and will try to bull his way through tight running lanes, may lack homerun speed, has had very little exposure as a third-down option.

Projection: Round 3

 

5. Damien Harris, Alabama (Senior)
5'10" | 216 | 4.57

The Good: Solid build with a no-nonsense running style, difficult to tackle, patient zone runner with good instincts, allows his OL to do their job, excellent feel/vision in space, effective in blitz pickup, has skills to be effective catching short throws out of the backfield, shared carries at 'Bama limiting wear and tear.

Needs Work: Lacks a top-end burst to outrun defenders, not much wiggle/shake in the open field which allows tacklers to square up on him without much trouble.

Projection: Round 3

 

6. Darrell Henderson, Memphis (Junior)
5'8" | 208 | 4.49

The Good: Very explosive, insane 8.9 yard average over last 344 carries, accelerates in an instant, big play production, excellent balance, feet don't stop, array of open field moves makes him difficult to tackle, effective as a receiver coming out of the backfield.

Needs Work: A bit undersized, upright running style with a narrow base, may lack the ability to create if play doesn't go as designed, could be limited on third downs.

Projection: Round 3/4

 

7. Dexter Williams, Notre Dame (Senior)
5'11" | 212 | 4.57

The Good: Adequete NFL size, able to handle the "bell cow" role, maintained solid production, allows his blockers to set up the lanes, processes traffic quickly, solid vision, sneaky speed to get to the corners, able to drop shoulders and plow over would-be tacklers.

Needs Work: Limited tape against high-end competition, 2016 arrest and a four-game suspension to begin 2018 on his record, doesn't regularly square up against blitzers, average elusiveness in open field.

Projection: Round 4

 

8. Miles Sanders, Penn State (Junior)
5'11" | 211 | 4.49

The Good: Minimal wear and tear (only 276 career carries), prototypical RB size, patient with good vision, quick feet to manuever around traffic, strong lateral agility, solid contact balance and typically falls forward for an extra yard, has potential as a three down back.

Needs Work: Not very productive against elite competition, could be more decisive, lacks the burst to beat defenders to the corner, lacks homerun speed, needs improvement as a route runner, ball security an issue at times.

Projection: Round 4/5

 

9. LJ Scott, Michigan State (Senior)
6'0" | 227 

The Good: Great size for the position, decisive north-south runner, has the burst to clear through a lane, allows OL to do their thing, efficient runner with light feet, viable pass catcher out of the backfield.

Needs Work: Could run with more power and less finesse in short yardage situations, only 14 career rushing TDs over 340 carries, lacks speed to outrun defenders to the edge, pass protection needs work, some ball security issues.

Projection: Round 4/5

 

10. Ryquell Armstead, Temple (Senior)
5'11" | 220 | 4.45

The Good: Great combination of size and speed, tough downhill runner with ability to switch gears without losing a step, solid contact balance, breaks tackles and falls forward for the extra yard, highly competitive, holds his own in pass protection.

Needs Work: Could be a bit more patient, aggressive running style can lead him into traffic at times, will need to allow OL to develop their blocks, narrow field vision, average lateral agility, not much production as a receiver.

Projection: Round 4/5

 

11-20
11. Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma (r-Junior)
12. Bryce Love, Stanford (Senior)
13. Alexander Mattison, Boise State (Junior)
14. Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M (Junior)
15. Justice Hill, Oklahoma State (Junior)
16. Karan Higdon, Michigan (Senior)
17. Travis Homer, Miami (Junior)
18. Myles Gaskin, Washington (Senior)
19. Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska (Senior)
20. Tony Pollard, Memphis (r-Junior)

 

Who do you like for the Bills? Who do you think is on their radar? We know they've met with Bryce Love so he could be a possibility. Personally, I really like what Justice Hill did at the Combine. He's a mid-round guy they could look at.

[cttnweary]

I like Bryce Love,  would like to see TJ Yeldon added in FA though

[buffalover4life]

I'd take Miles Sanders in round 4 all day! more likely to go in round 2-3 imo

 

The guy is super talented and his game looks shockingly close to Saquan Barkley's, massive hamstrings, very shifty, shrugs off arm tackles, .09 slower in the 40, faster in the 3 cone drill. Only a one year starter because he had to sit behind the best back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson

 

If he had another year to refine his running technique he'd likely go in the first.

 

Take a look at his highlights

 

Also, He was a top 25 prospect coming out of high school

 

[WMDman]

#IloveLove

[PetermansRedemption]

Thank you for this. I’m hoping the Bills take a flier on a RB in round 3-7 this year. Have to get younger at the position. Shady was negative last year. Ivory was decent but isn’t anything special. Murphy is just another dime a dozen guy. Need to find the heir to Shady sooner rather than later because his reign is clearly over. 

[ChanticleerBillsFan]

I like Justice Hill, Miles Sanders, and Myles Gaskin. I liked them before the combine and now that they blew up prolly wont be there. Gaskins didn’t help himself though. No way Hill makes it that late after runnning a 4.4

Edited March 6, 2019 by ChanticleerBillsFan

[formerlyofCtown]

I greatly disagree with the draft grade and evaluation on Jalin Moore.  I would like to grab him in the 6th or as a UDFA. 

As far as the draft goes.

The backs I liked did poorly at the combine.  If Singletary is available in the 3rd Id take him.

[Mopreme]

Man, I am sold on Miles Sanders. 

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Armstead sounds interesting.

[YoloinOhio]

LJ Scott at 9 is tripping me out 

[Kangaxx]

Qadree Ollison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hDCvHad2OU

Edited March 7, 2019 by APoxOnYou

[Victory Formation]

I like: LJ Scott, Rodney Anderson and Trayveon Williams. Wouldn't call myself a pro, those are just 3 guys off the list I'd really like.

[YoloinOhio]

2 minutes ago, NewDayBills said:

I like: LJ Scott, Rodney Anderson and Trayveon Williams. Wouldn't call myself a pro, those are just 3 guys off the list I'd really like.

I wouldn’t even sign LJ Scott as a UDFA!

[BillsSB2020]

I really can't believe how far Bennie Snell has fallen. After the season, some considered him a 2nd round pick. Now he's not even a top 20 back? He had a terrible combine, but that's pretty crazy. I would love to snag him in the 7th or as an UDFA if these reports are accurate.

[YoloinOhio]

14 minutes ago, BillsSB2020 said:

I really can't believe how far Bennie Snell has fallen. After the season, some considered him a 2nd round pick. Now he's not even a top 20 back? He had a terrible combine, but that's pretty crazy. I would love to snag him in the 7th or as an UDFA if these reports are accurate.

He was really productive,  but I would doubt that any actual teams had him graded that high. He’s always been slow.

[BillsSB2020]

3 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

He was really productive,  but I would doubt that any actual teams had him graded that high. He’s always been slow.

Yeah. He ran a 4.65. I know he was one of those players that was ultra productive in college/questionable NFL projection.

 

Still a bit surprised that he's basically off the map.

Edited March 7, 2019 by BillsSB2020

[YoloinOhio]

Just now, BillsSB2020 said:

Yeah. He ran a 4.65. I know he was one of those players that was ultra productive in college/not projected to be great in the NFL.

 

Still a bit surprised that he's basically off the map.

That’s a guy I would take with a late pick though - he’s definitely going to be more of a between the tackles guy but he plays hard with attitude.

[Chandler#81]

Thank you OP. I’m sure we’ll be drafting one - likely from your list, so this helps. 

[Mr_Robotulism]

Rodney Anderson is a 1st round talent with low miles who is injury prone. RB at.OU, injured 80% of time....2 let injuries and a.neck injury I think. ABout when he was healthy at back half of 2017 season, he was averaging like 250 yards per game from scrimmage. Fast, strong,.slasher and power and can catch. Ultimate.Boom of Bust.pick 

[whatdrought]

Damien Harris please.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Henderson and Hill. Watch the tape. 

Either would be a steal after round 4. 

Love is nice too.

[DBilz2500]

Kinda a slower class and no real “can’t miss” talents there. Plenty of value in the mid to late rounds with this group. 

[YoloinOhio]

42 minutes ago, DBilz2500 said:

Kinda a slower class and no real “can’t miss” talents there. Plenty of value in the mid to late rounds with this group. 

He left out Mike Weber for some reason, who is very fast. 

[DBilz2500]

24 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

He left out Mike Weber for some reason, who is very fast. 

He is. I shouldn’t have left out one of my Buckeyes. 

[mrags]

Decided to look into this a little more. Now that we may actually have our starting OL before the draft even kicks off, do we take a RB early???

 

are any of these guys the next Barkley or Elliot? Are any of these guys worthy of the 9th pick overall? What if we trade down but still take the first RB off the board? 

 

Who is the best of the class? Is there a clear cut number 1 RB coming out? 

 

Ive been watching some videos and really like  Montgomery from Iowa State. 

 

What say you?

[BigdaddyinOrlando]

Henderson! Please grab this guy, kid is just a baller and will be the big play guy we need!!

[mrags]

1 minute ago, BigdaddyinOrlando said:

Henderson! Please grab this guy, kid is just a baller and will be the big play guy we need!!

Is he worth a 1st rounder?

[BigdaddyinOrlando]

Probably not by the way RBs are valued nowadays, but have seen him play in person a couple times , and kid is dynamic player 

[Pete]

Josh Jacobs is my sleeper Bills pick, hopefully after a trade down.  That's if there is a huge run on DL.  My first pick is Oliver and DL.  But they all might be gone.  Then who know who Beane has top of his board at that point

[mrags]

17 minutes ago, Pete said:

Josh Jacobs is my sleeper Bills pick, hopefully after a trade down.  That's if there is a huge run on DL.  My first pick is Oliver and DL.  But they all might be gone.  Then who know who Beane has top of his board at that point

Watching vids on him now. Looks awesome. Fast. Shifty. Good pass catcher. Very powerful. 

 

The kid kid looks like he can do it all. You think he’s the clear cut #1 back in the draft? Is he worth a pick at 9? Would we need to take him there? Or possible with a trade down to the teens or early 20s is he still available? 

[Pete]

Just now, mrags said:

Watching vids on him now. Looks awesome. Fast. Shifty. Good pass catcher. Very powerful. 

 

The kid kid looks like he can do it all. You think he’s the clear cut #1 back in the draft? Is he worth a pick at 9? Would we need to take him there? Or possible with a trade down to the teens or early 20s is he still available? 

clear cut #1 RB IMO.  Everyone is grabbing D line early.  And who knows how many QBs go top 10.  Does someone reach for DK or Hotch?  RB's have been found later in drafts(Kamara, Hunt, Lindsay), so it seems teams disvalue them.  If all the DL talent is gone by 9,  I much prefer a trade down.  But I am ok with Josh Jacobs at 9 if draft falls that way.  I think there is a shot we trade down and draft Jacobs.  Players slide every draft.   And each team has it's own priority draft needs. Daboll is well aware of Josh Jacobs abilities.  Josh could use a young RB to help our offense rock the next 5 years

[mrags]

12 minutes ago, Pete said:

clear cut #1 RB IMO.  Everyone is grabbing D line early.  And who knows how many QBs go top 10.  Does someone reach for DK or Hotch?  RB's have been found later in drafts(Kamara, Hunt, Lindsay), so it seems teams disvalue them.  If all the DL talent is gone by 9,  I much prefer a trade down.  But I am ok with Josh Jacobs at 9 if draft falls that way.  I think there is a shot we trade down and draft Jacobs.  Players slide every draft.   And each team has it's own priority draft needs. Daboll is well aware of Josh Jacobs abilities.  Josh could use a young RB to help our offense rock the next 5 years

I saw a mock that has him going as late as the kid 2nd round to the eagles.  It was the first rb off the board. If that’s the case I’m taking this kid in the 2nd. Looks really good. Haven’t gotten into Damien Harris’ tapes yet but also looks good. As well as Henderson. 

[Simon Says]

On 3/6/2019 at 4:06 PM, cttnweary said:

I like Bryce Love,  would like to see TJ Yeldon added in FA though

Why would Yeldon come to Buffalo and sit behind McCoy and Gore? Bills will need RBs NEXT year,for sure 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

2 hours ago, mrags said:

Is he worth a 1st rounder?

 

..regardless, don't see McBeane as a 1st round RB pick guy...Barkley was an anomaly.....Fournette?....meh...Gurley?...shroud of secrecy regarding his health...

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, mrags said:

Watching vids on him now. Looks awesome. Fast. Shifty. Good pass catcher. Very powerful. 

 

The kid kid looks like he can do it all. You think he’s the clear cut #1 back in the draft? Is he worth a pick at 9? Would we need to take him there? Or possible with a trade down to the teens or early 20s is he still available? 

He’s the clear cut #1 imo.  I just wouldn’t want to trade that far back and make him our first pick.....and he’s one of my favorite players in the draft.  Huge man crush.

 

that being said, Henderson in rd 3 would really be amazing value.  Love his skill set too.  There are several RBs I’d be happy with in rd 3-4.....which is why I think spending our first pick on Jacobs is a bad idea.

[mrags]

37 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

..regardless, don't see McBeane as a 1st round RB pick guy...Barkley was an anomaly.....Fournette?....meh...Gurley?...shroud of secrecy regarding his health...

 

33 minutes ago, NewEra said:

He’s the clear cut #1 imo.  I just wouldn’t want to trade that far back and make him our first pick.....and he’s one of my favorite players in the draft.  Huge man crush.

 

that being said, Henderson in rd 3 would really be amazing value.  Love his skill set too.  There are several RBs I’d be happy with in rd 3-4.....which is why I think spending our first pick on Jacobs is a bad idea.

I just think that maybe McBeane give Daboll a toy to play with and help his QB. In a perfect world, they would give him his very own Gronk in Hockenson. Then trade back into the mid to late 20s and draft Jacobs.

 

That Would pretty much solidify our offense and could go defense for the rest of the draft. 

 

It would also solidify our future replacement for Shady. I get the knock on taking a RB that high. But if you get a Barkley, Fournette, Gurley, Elliot type of player it completely changes the way the game can be played. It would give Josh so much more room to work with. Between that and his new OL. I think we would be a very dangerous team. 

[OldTimer1960]

26 minutes ago, mrags said:

 

I just think that maybe McBeane give Daboll a toy to play with and help his QB. In a perfect world, they would give him his very own Gronk in Hockenson. Then trade back into the mid to late 20s and draft Jacobs.

 

That Would pretty much solidify our offense and could go defense for the rest of the draft. 

 

It would also solidify our future replacement for Shady. I get the knock on taking a RB that high. But if you get a Barkley, Fournette, Gurley, Elliot type of player it completely changes the way the game can be played. It would give Josh so much more room to work with. Between that and his new OL. I think we would be a very dangerous team. 

Who will play OL besides Morse and Dawkins - the several FAs they signed are good fill-ins, but would still prefer some better pedigreed OL talent.  Also, who is playing DT besides Star?  DL is a need area if they want to be competitive this year.

[NewEra]

37 minutes ago, mrags said:

 

I just think that maybe McBeane give Daboll a toy to play with and help his QB. In a perfect world, they would give him his very own Gronk in Hockenson. Then trade back into the mid to late 20s and draft Jacobs.

 

That Would pretty much solidify our offense and could go defense for the rest of the draft. 

 

It would also solidify our future replacement for Shady. I get the knock on taking a RB that high. But if you get a Barkley, Fournette, Gurley, Elliot type of player it completely changes the way the game can be played. It would give Josh so much more room to work with. Between that and his new OL. I think we would be a very dangerous team. 

Our offense would be sick for sure.  Our DL and pass rush would be lacking.  We’d have taken a step back in the front 7.  Losing Kyle and replacing him with a 3rd or 4th rd pick.  No bueno imo.  

 

I love Hock and Jacobs, I just don’t think we’d be getting the best bang for our buck if we go  that route.

 

The difference between Oliver and a 3rd rd DT is much greater than the difference between Jacobs and the RBs in the 3rd rd.

Edited April 5, 2019 by NewEra

[mrags]

44 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Who will play OL besides Morse and Dawkins - the several FAs they signed are good fill-ins, but would still prefer some better pedigreed OL talent.  Also, who is playing DT besides Star?  DL is a need area if they want to be competitive this year.

All 6 of the OLmen we picked up in FA are better than anyone we had last year besides Dawkins. And he’s Only better than maybe 4 of them. 

39 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Our offense would be sick for sure.  Our DL and pass rush would be lacking.  We’d have taken a step back in the front 7.  Losing Kyle and replacing him with a 3rd or 4th rd pick.  No bueno imo.  

 

I love Hock and Jacobs, I just don’t think we’d be getting the best bang for our buck if we go  that route.

 

The difference between Oliver and a 3rd rd DT is much greater than the difference between Jacobs and the RBs in the 3rd rd.

I don’t deny all that. But if we go out there with 2RBs with AARP cards, we might as well assume we have zero running game all year. 

[NewEra]

29 minutes ago, mrags said:

All 6 of the OLmen we picked up in FA are better than anyone we had last year besides Dawkins. And he’s Only better than maybe 4 of them. 

I don’t deny all that. But if we go out there with 2RBs with AARP cards, we might as well assume we have zero running game all year. 

Our running game will be significantly better due to our OL.  It will benefit from having Beasley and Brown out there extending drives.  Our running game wasn’t pitiful last year because of our RBs.  

 

You act as if we can’t draft a solid RB (if not an all pro rb) in rd 3-4.  There are several RBs pegged to go in rd 3+ that have a chance to be good starting RBs