1. Leonard Fournette* 6'0¾" 230 21 LSU 92
Has been compared to Adrian Peterson, Bryce Harper, and LeBron James. He has been considered the best since his Freshman year of High School. Even compared to Herschel Walker. He has a ton of mileage on him. 7,600 yards in High School and 3,800 in college over the last seven years (11,000 yards total). Three-year starter in the SEC. Has been a gamechanger all three years. Have seen him play countless times. He is big, fast and agile. At this point in time, there is no better option in this draft. It is funny three years ago I was talking about how this is a lost position in the NFL. Now we will get to see Elliott and Fournette run the ball for the next decade. Every team will be looking for the next true workhorse. Fournette is as good and as tested as it comes.
2. Dalvin Cook* 5'11" 206 21 Florida State 85
Dramatic High School Recruit. Dalvin knowingly sported the Gator chomp for two months until he let the media know that he was going to FSU. He changed his pledge selection three times during the year before he entered college. He is an every down back. Is tough to bring down after point of attack. Has an unnatural ability to break tackles. Seems to have great vision. Does tend to bounce to the outside however he has the speed and agility to effectively bounce to the outside. Strong runner after the cut. Often will make multiple cuts on a run. I would not call him a downhill runner, nor a patient runner. He is between the two styles. It worked in college. In the pros, it will be harder to bounce to the outside, and less holes to run through. Cook will have to be able to make his living in between the tackles. Bouncing outside and catching balls will not be where he makes his mark, these elements must be complementary. I am not sure though that Cook can live off running the ball in between the tackles.
3. Christian Mccaffrey* 6'0" 200 20 Stanford 84.5
He comes from great bloodlines, his father is former Bronco Wide Receiver, Ed Mccaffrey. He has been competing with the best of the best since high school in terms of national rankings. Having spent his high school years in Colorado, you would expect that he built up his cardio strength as a high school athlete. Although being a highly sought after high school, he was classified as a four-star recruit. Mccaffrey burst onto the college football scene in his Sophomore year at Stanford, accounting for: over 2,000 yards rushing and 1,000 kick return yards. He broke Barry Sanders' record of all-purpose yards by 600 yards. This past year he has taken a safer route and not returned so many kicks/punts. There is no telling what his role will be at the next level. There have comparisons to LaDanian Tomlinson, I see more of a much better version of Julian Edelman. Mccaffrey must prove to be effective inside of the tackles to live up to his grade from the experts. Otherwise, Mccaffrey will be forced into a slot and special team’s role. Granted, as exciting as it will be for whoever drafts him, the ways that he can produce will be limited in the NFL unless he can prove to move the rock in early down territory. Where I struggle is usually the running back prospects with his MO are small, whereas he is average size for a NFL running back. A sub 4.4 40 time would also validate his expert grade. The expert grade comes from his high floor. At the worst he will be a top slot talent at the next level (Julian Edelman) at the best he will be the next LaDanian Tomlinson. Hind sight either one of the comparisons would be worthy of a low 1st round draft pick, which is where he is slated in most mock drafts.
4. Wayne Gallman* 6'1" 215 22 Clemson 80
Gallman came to Clemson as a three star recruit out of high school. Since then, he has rushed for over 3,300 yards and has helped his team to two Championship games. His most recent game, Gallman had 87 total yards and a touchdown to contribute to one of the best finishes ever in a Championship game. His stats did regress over the past year, going from over 1,700 to 1,200 total yards. Gallman has the build to be an every down back. He also has the short burst that is so critical in running backs. He is effective in between the tackles and his running style translates well to the NFL. He also has traits that compliment his ability to run in between the tackles. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and his speed can change games at times. His speed is not game changing, however he can turn the corner and when he has the room to run, defenses have to scramble.
5. Samaje Perine* 5'11" 234 21 Oklahoma 75
During a three-year career at Oklahoma (OU), he achieved 4,122 rushing yards (most in OU history) on 685 carries and 49 touchdowns. Recording better stats than Adrian Peterson and DeMarco Murray during his time at OU is an accomplishment. He fits the physical build of Peterson and Murray as well. He is big enough for an every down back and he also has enough speed to break big runs. Perine is the Late Round Sleeper of the Running Back position this year. While grading all the running backs rated ahead of him, I kept on asking myself what makes these guys special? Why is this year's running back class thought so highly of? Then I watched film and reviewed Samaje's career at OU, he is truly impressive and should gain immediate carries regardless of team or scheme. The only stat that may lower his value is a slow 40 time at the combine or pro day.
6. Kareem Hunt 5'10½" 237 21 Toledo 74
Kareem has been an impact runner for Toledo since his Freshman year. He rushed for 886 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2013, 1631 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2014, 973 yards and 12 touchdowns, and 1475 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016. He also had 41 receptions, 403 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in 2016. He has a unique skill set as it is difficult to bring him down at initial contact. He is also a patient runner who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Shows real patience in screen plays. His speed will be an issue at the next level as he cannot take a run to the house in college at a medium level of competition. In the NFL he will be regarded as a big back who can also catch the ball. In the right situation, he could become a good contributor, however he is not a game changer. If he is selected before the fifth round, it could be a reach for his services as there are already running backs with this skill set later in the draft and already available in the NFL.
8. Alvin Kamara 5'10" 215 21 Tennessee 73
Kamara has had hype with him since he was a top recruit out of high school. Injuries and minor off field issues have held him from being relevant at the college level. Although after his slow start, Kamara did find a home splitting time at Tennessee. He was productive over the past two years marking 23 touchdowns. Great in the passing game. Has the skills to earn extra yards with juke moves and sudden agility. Impatient runner at times. Knee injuries in the past.
9. James Conner* 6'2" 240 21 Pittsburgh 70
Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor. The cancer was found after his 2015 torn MCL in Pittsburgh's season opener. The season before he rushed for over 1,700 yards and had 26 rushing touchdowns. After coming back from his torn MCL and stint with cancer, James rushed for over 1,000 yards and had 20 total touchdowns (16 rushing and 4 receiving). The cancer seems to be fully gone and James appears to be fully recovered from his torn MCL, however with his medical background there is no doubt that some teams will question his health at the next level. His rushing style is a big bruiser type of back. He showed the ability to catch the ball last season, however he is listed at 6'2" which is tall for a running back. Most backs at this size have difficulty in the pros. Main reason being is that he is simply a bigger target to hit and has a weaker center of gravity as any other running back draft prospect. Great story, however I do not see James being more than a role playing back. Anything over a fifth-round pick on him is a reach as I believe his ceiling is limited.
10. D'Onta Foreman* 6'1" 248 21 Texas 70
Rushed for 3,800 yards in high school and 2,700 yards in college (6,500 yards in last seven years). Over 2,000 of his rushing yards came in this past season earning himself the Doak Walker Award (best running back in the country). There is no doubt in his talent to run in between the tackles. He is a force when he is running full speed ahead. Breaking tackles is what he does. Excellent short yardage back / early down back. The question is can he be more than that? He reminds me of Andre Williams in certain ways. The suspect ability to catch the football and can break to the outside is of concern. If the option was between Foreman and Williams both at draft day, I would choose Foreman because he was so dominant this year and made a bad team competitive. Plus, his highlight reel is more impressive and that was mainly in this past year.
11. Matthew Dayes 5'8½" 202 22 North Carolina State 65
Over the past two seasons, Dayes has rushed for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns for NC State. He also had over 400 yards receiving yards during that time. Matt run for Dayes, showed that he can play at his best against top competition. The past two years he has given Clemson all they can handle, his performance this past season should have been enough to win the game. Dayes is a cut and go back, similar to Alfred Morris. He is at his best where is offensive line is stretching the field one way and he decides where to make the cut, from there he shows the ability to quickly get into the second level of blockers and he is tough to take down at initial contact. In the right system, Dayes can become an effective every down back as he knows how to catch and also pass block.
12. Donnel Pumphrey 5'8" 166 22 San Diego State 63
Three-year starter. In 2014, he rushed for 1,873 yards and 20 touchdowns, in 2015 he rushed for 1,653 and 17 touchdowns (while gaining 416 receiving yards and another 3 touchdowns), in 2016 he rushed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns (while gaining 231 receiving yards). He has game changing speed, if he weighs in heavier than expected and can still show off his sub 4.40 speed, he will shoot up the draft boards. He also shows a great ability to catch the ball as he can adjust his body to poor throws. His cuts cover more ground than anyone in this draft, he can literately take a make a jump cut over 5 yards. Good luck trying to tackle him in the open field. I do not think that he will be able to run in between the tackles at the next level, unles he is heavier than most scouts think that he is. Regardless if he goes lower than the fifth round, he is a steal. Some team is going to use him as a punt/kick returner, slot receiver and 3rd down back. I am interested to see what he can do in the NFL because he did it all at San Diego State.
13. Nick Chubb* 5'11" 220 21 Georgia 60
Chubb was one of the most sought after college running backs in 2014 and part way through 2015. Then in his Sophomore year, he tore every ligament in his left knee except for his ACL. Junior year however, he came back to be a productive college running back. Granted the injury limited his value going into this year's draft, I believe that the injury is lowering his value too much. He was still able to rush for over 1,000 yards and score 8 rushing touchdowns. He looks like he still has a quick first couple of steps and he shows the ability to break a couple tackles on a single play. Combine this with fast enough speed to make a difference and you could find a steal in the late rounds with this north-south running back.
14. Corey Clement 5'10⅜" 221 22 Wisconsin 59
Shared time at Wisconsin until his senior year. Last year he showed the ability to be a contributor on every down out of the backfield. He showed the athleticism desired for the position at his Pro Day.
15. De'Veon Smith 5'11¾" 229 22 Michigan 57
Big back who can handle the workload. Question is this the guy you want to carry the load? He lacks explosiveness and speed to burst past the box. He was a solid contributor in College however I do not see much from at the next level.
16. Jalen Hurd* 6'3⅝" 240 21 Tennessee 55
Jalen is huge for a running back. Like many others at his size who play the position, he was injured last year. His freshman and sophomore years were his best and he did not miss a game during that time. Will lack the speed to be anything more than a short yardage back.
17. Joe Mixon RB 6'1" 225 20 Oklahoma 53
This may be a prejudice ranking as I would never accept a man of Mixon’s character on my football team. Mixon has been great when he suits up. However, he has nearly half of his college career due to character concerns. Including punching a woman. He has the size, strength, and speed to go along with last year's productive season. With how many talented backs there are in this year's draft he could slip due to his character problems.
17. Jeremy McNichols 5'9" 215 21 Boise State 53
He has been the workhorse for Boise State over the past two seasons. Although he is under 5'9" he has the size to be an every down back. With over 2,100 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, McNichols has proven to be a playmaker in college. His skill set can translate well into the NFL, like former Bronco Doug Martin. Running a sub 4.5 at the combine surely helped his draft stock as the speed you see on film has been confirmed. Trusts his offensive lineman and sticks to the strategy of the run. He has been fumble prone and needs work in pass protection.
18. Marlon Mack 5'11" 210 21 South Florida 52
Rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons. Last year accounted for over 1,400 yards along with 15 rushing touchdowns. He was Florida's best recruit coming out of high school. He is a wild runner and will bounce before trying to finish. Granted this leads to his biggest strength, which is pulling out long runs. Sometimes it works as a disadvantage though and he will not break as many runs in the pros as he did in college. Some of the smoothest hips in the draft and has the moves/speed to make big plays.
19. Brian Hill 6'1" 220 Wyoming 51
Rushed for over 3,000 yards in the past two seasons. Last year he rushed for 1,860 yards and 22 touchdowns. Has a good combination of size and speed (40 time 4.55). Did not play against top talent in college and is not a three down back. Stayed healthy the past two seasons even with the large workload.
20. Joe Williams 5'11" 210 Utah 50
Prototypical height, weight, speed athlete for the position. He spent some time in Junior College after not making it at Connecticut and having off field issues. He hung his cleats up last year, only to be called back shortly thereafter due to injuries at Utah. Oddly enough only then did he live up to hype rushing for over 1,400 yards last season.
