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Running Backs: The Lost Art

The lost art in the NFL and perhaps the position that we will look back on and ask what were we thinking?

In a time that the NFL is in love with the pass heavy offense let us not forget the outcome of the Superbowl, the team with the traditional running game and defense were crowned the champions. Teams are going to pass on true talents in this year’s draft which seems to be the year that the draft transitions between the triangle of a good offense having a QB, RB and WR to an offense having a straight line QB, WR and WR and more WR or anyone who can contribute on passing plays. The interesting thing is that the NFC has the teams with the hard-nosed defenses and the running game to control the pace of play in the Seahawks and 49ers. In the AFC the road to the playoffs is usually outdoors and would benefit these hard-weathered teams with a running game more the west coast teams. This is what I am trying to say there is no way on earth that there should be no running backs taken in the first round especially if there are more than five wide receivers taken in the first.

1. Bishop Sankey – 5’10” 205 lbs. 4.49 40 Washington – 6.00 - Great production 3 year starter each year had impressive numbers in a difficult conference. Shows the ability to be productive inside of the tackles does not show great power but can make the first tackler miss and chooses his reads well. Outside running is better than inside but not great, all around he is a good runner. His receiving has improved over his three years going from an average yard per catch of under three yards his freshman year to over ten his junior year. He was the most consistent player on Washington’s Offense and he is a willing blocker in pass protection. Overall a good athlete but he is a bit of a tweener 4.49 40 and not a punishing rusher. There must be something to be said about his 1800 yards and 20 touchdown performances last season. Players who produce in large conferences do not always pan out but this guy has gone up against defenses that produce NFL players on a regular basis. A team just might find a sleeper especially if he goes in the 3rd round or lower.

2. Carlos Hyde - 6'0" 230 lbs. 4.6 40 Ohio State - 5.75 - From an elite program and rated the best back by everyone with a pulse it is hard to dispute his talent. Between the tackles he is difficult to tackle and he makes reads easily that will break him through the initial line of defense. Outside of the tackle he is not the fastest back and is much better on a stretch play where he has the option to take his line back between the tackles than on a pitch. He has shown the ability to catch the ball but only had 16 receptions last year. He is a willing blocker in pass protection but needs to improve in this like every back transitioning to the NFL.

3. Andre Williams – 5’11” 230 lbs. 4.5 40 Boston College – 5.7 - Andre was 4th in the Heisman voting on an above average offense with one good weapon (Andre). Some plays there were eleven men in the box and he would still break one. His counterpart Carlos Hyde was not in the top ten which shows the kind of season the two had. Carlos being on a talented team and offense did not put on a performance worthy of Heisman acknowledgement where Andre made an average team competitive in a very hard conference. True Andre struggled against top competition however they were also going against top coaches that knew this offense could not throw the ball. Therefore they stacked the box and stopped the run but if Andre is able to carry on an offense with a passing attack well he will be a steal in the 3rd-4th round if he lasts longer than that he is a gem. Inside the tackle he has awesome film, knows how to pick the cut and finishes runs well. Outside he can out run linebackers and punish defensive backs. Has room to improve in pass protection. Does not have a reputation for catching the football, however neither did Alfred Morris. The only reason Carlos is rated ahead of Andre is because of the Net consensus and Carlos has more of a receiving background as little as it maybe.

4. Tre Mason – 5’8” 207 lbs. 4.5 40 Auburn – 5.6 - SEC player of the year with over 1800 rushing yards and 23 Touchdowns. He runs bigger than his size would suggest between the tackles, shows good ability to scan the field and also follows his blocks. He is a great outside runner with plenty of moves to pick up the first down. Although he is not a burner he makes some long runs. Needs to improve in pass protection especially to protect against NFL DE’s. Had an amazing last two games of the season including an impressive performance in their loss to Florida State in the championship game.

5. Lache Seatrunk – 5’10” 210 lbs. 4.48 40 Baylor - 5.5 - He has the best moves in the draft by far. The fact the Lache only ran a 4.48 40 only showed me that he has some of the best cutback skills I have seen in quite some time. Having said that his outside running is the best in the draft and if he has space he will make the defender miss. Only had 1100 rushing yards but had an average of 7.48 yards per carry. He is a capable inside runner good at best but good enough especially when his offensive line can get him to the second level. Room for improvement in pass protection. No receptions last year which is always a concern for a speed back. The offense is a gimmick short accurate passes which might be why he never received the ball.

6. Marion Grice – 6’0” 208 Ilbs. 4.56 40 Arizona State – 5.4- Has the height weight and speed to make it in the NFL. Interesting production with over 1400 yard from scrimmage (996 rushing 438 passing on 50 receptions) and 20 touchdowns (14 rush 6 receiving). Junior year he had 1104 yards from scrimmage (679 rush 425 receiving) with 19 touchdowns (11 rush and 8 receiving). He has great vision and cutting ability in between the tackles. Good moves on the outside and in space Marion can put multiple moves together one after another sometimes looking untouchable. Great receiver in the backfield showing the ability to make a flat effective or completing a 40 yard wheel route down field. Willing to pass block. All around a pretty good running back could be a darn good steal.

7. Tyler Gaffney – 5’11” 220 Ilbs. 4.49 40 Stanford – 5.3 - A true athlete that has the perfect build for a running back. He is great in between the tackles good vision, can follow blocks, has the power to break tackles, has decent elusiveness, and is smart. Outside of the tackles he is deceptively fast not a burner but can beat linebackers to the edge. Tyler is able to catch the football and can make defenders miss in the open field. Capable pass blocker but can always improve in this section. Over 1700 yards 21 touchdowns great frame good 40 time and smart. What is not to like about this kid? At worst he will be a great back up.

8. Charles Sims – 6’0” 214 lbs. 4.48 40 West Virginia - 5.2- Sims has the size and tools to be an every down back. In between the tackles he is good willing to use his size to finish. Sometimes gets stood up at the point of contact. Has good balance and is a great one cut back. He is also good in space with the ability to make defenders miss. The best part is that this running back can catch the football and looks good doing it. He has the frame to become a good pass blocker along with quick feet to stay in front of defensive backs coming off the edge. Will be a 24 year old rookie. Some concern of height being durability issue but Adrian Peterson is 6’0” and players that are 5’8” are too short. I disagree with the two inch margin for a running backs height and should be taken with less importance. 6’1” to 5’8” after that all what matters is ability.

9. De’Anthony Thomas – 5’9” 174 Ilbs. 4.38 40 Oregon – 5.1 - A true burner that knows how to use his speed in many ways. Running outside of tackle he is very good, he would be great but usually he runs outside so it is somewhat predictable due to his size and lack of ability to run in between the tackles. He has to get bigger if he does not lose too much speed and adds 15 Ilbs he could turn into a great back. However he will Thomas will be limited between the tackles and in pass protection. Thomas can catch the football however and is a threat in open space which this part of his skill set with his speed can make any offensive coordinator drool. Do not be surprised to see a team stretch on him in the 3rd round and could make one GM look very smart.

10. Jeremy Hill – 6’1” 232 lbs. 4.65 40 LSU – 5.1 - Hill is great in between the tackle due to his great size and ability to finish at the point of contact. Outside of the tackle he is slow and is not faster than linebackers to the corner. Ability to become a good pass blocker but could use work. Great production with over 1400 yards last year and 16 touchdowns (over 700 yards 12 TDs in 2012). Has off field issues mainly due to fighting only he is only 21 years old. This may be more of a red flag than plus the deeper we look. Only 21 years old looks great but this kid has major off field issues, along with a slow 40 time, I always question a really slow time of a heavier back because of the discipline it takes to run a fast 40. Hill could easily be 220 Ilbs. And would no doubt run faster if he did.

11. Dri Archer – 5’8” 173 Ilbs. 4.28 40 Kent State – 5.0 - Olympic speed that can turn into a fantastic 3rd down back along with kick/punt return ability and do some work in the slot. Solid value pick here especially for a team in need of a kick returner. Obviously small framed cannot run well in between tackles and does not pass block well. There is a lot of upside. An offensive coordinator that can get him into the mix on 3rd downs and slot work just might get a gem that also produces on special teams.

12. Devonta Freeman – 5’8” 206 Ilbs. 4.58 40 Florida State – 5.0 - Has produced at FSU for three seasons. He is best between the tackles however he does not have the size that would show this and could be a durability issue. Devonta does run low to the ground but seems to lack power to finish at the point of contact to gain the extra yards. Average on the outside can get chased down by most defensive backs and has a one cut move. Willing to pass blocker but can use improvement. Decent receiver he is able to catch and sometimes does something with it afterward. Freeman is a move the chains back who has produced but his ceiling seems low.

13. Ka’Deem Carey – 5’9” 207 Ilbs. 4.66 40 Arizona – 5.0 - Pac 12 Offensive player of the year 1885 rushing yards and 20 Touchdowns (19 rush 1 Receiving). Had even better stats as a sophomore over 1900 yards and 23 touchdowns. Inside of the tackles he is very good willing to fight for extra yards and can make the cut to get a couple more yards. Ka’Deem is a typical move the chains back between the tackles who is okay on the edge. Decent pass catcher and decent at run blocking as well. Honestly I have to watch more film on this one because his 40 time and statistics are so far off. Does he have the tremendous vision necessary to succeed in the NFL with his physical skill set?

14. Storm Johnson – 6’0” 209 Ilbs. 4.6 40 UCF – 4.9 - A big part of UCF’s Cinderella story last season obviously the second best player on this offense behind Blake Bortles. Over 1100 yards and 17 touchdowns (14 rush 3 receiving) last season. He can run well in between the tackles. Outside the tackles is not where he is best but has a decent mix of power and jukes to make defenders have trouble on the outside. Decent receiver over 30 receptions last season. Willing to pass block and has the size to improve in this aspect. Could be a steal in this year’s draft.

15. Rajon Neal – 5’11” 211 Ilbs. 4.5 40 Tennessee – 4.8 - prototypical height weight speed. Over 1100 rushing yards and twelve touchdowns this past season. Can run the ball in between the tackles and is okay outside of tackles. Rajon is an decent receiver and is willing to pass block. Coming off of a average team last year but pro style offense he could be useful in the right scheme. Arian Foster did go undrafted out of this college just saying lightning possibly could strike twice.

16. Terrance West – 5’9” 225 Ilbs. 4.56 40 Townson - 4.7 - Smaller school prospect with an interesting blend of size and speed. Low center of gravity with decent speed he is more quick than fast but can punish defenders at the point of impact. Not too impressive outside the tackles. Not a great receiver. Pass blocking is adequate at best. Decent prospect who could surprise in the right offense.

17. Jerick Mckinnon – 5’9” 209 Ilbs. 4.41 40 Georgie Southern – 4.5 - Played in an option offense and sometimes at quarterback. Has the size and speed to contribute in the NFL. Has an interesting background playing quarterback as late as last season. Noticeably strong 32 reps on bench is very intriguing especially with the great 40 time. Need to find some more film on this one.

18. Trey Millard – 6’2” 225 Ilbs. 4.55 40 Oklahoma – 4.4 - coming off torn ACL, but he can do everything as a Fullback great receiver and also a great blocker in the run and pass. Able to run the ball as well. There really was not a weak spot to his game other than his injury if he comes back healthy he can be a Marcel Reese.

19. Damian Williams – 6’0” 214 Ilbs. 4.45 40 Oklahoma – 4.3 - with prototype height weight and speed once again Damian looks the part but why is he rated so low? Well for starters only played in nine games last season with 553 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Junior year he had over 900 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns rushing along with 34 receptions and one touchdown. He is a long shot but worth a 7th round pick.

20. George Atkinson – 6’1” 220 Ilbs. 4.48 40 Notre Dame – 4.2 - From a big name college and with good measurables the only question left on George is if he can play running back at the pro level. Split time in his career at Notre Dame only 555 yards rushing senior year. Free agent signing at best maybe 7th round selection.

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