2019 NFL Draft Positional Outlooks- Running Backs
By: Zach Perbeck
First-round running backs have left a good taste in our mouth. Ezekiel Elliott. Saquon Barkley. This year does not present the same opportunities, with no top-tier running back prospects. A pair of Alabama backs, an AAC workhorse and a Cyclone top the list, but none of them are bonafide first rounders who a team will be willing to reach for. Let’s get into it.
Josh Jacobs, Alabama, Junior, 5'10" 220 lbs
Projection: Early Second Round
The only player on this list with a chance to make it into the first round, Jacobs headed a dual-threat backfield at Alabama with Damien Harris. Jacobs has the size to play in the NFL, but he isn’t the fastest RB on this list. Jacobs is a downhill runner who fits well with the teams that need a RB such as Oakland and Tampa Bay. As far as my projection, I have seen Jacobs go in the Top 5 in mocks, but I don’t think that will happen. The earliest spot for Jacobs would be 27 to Oakland, but even that would be a little early given that they pick again at 35 and the only team between 27 and 35 that could possibly take Jacobs would be Indianapolis at 34. I think Indy is sold on Marlon Mack so I would say that Jacobs to Oakland at 35 is a good bet if they pass on him at 27. If he were to get past Jon Gruden altogether I could see Tampa Bay pouncing on him at 39.
Damien Harris, Alabama, Senior, 5'10" 216 lbs
Projection: Mid-Late Second Round
Harris may be the second best Alabama running back on this list, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the best talents on this list. Full disclosure, I was not planning on putting both Alabama backs at the top of this list, once I began to compare Harris and David Montgomery it was clear to me that Harris was the better prospect, despite Montgomery being the workhorse at Iowa State while Harris split time with Jacobs. What set Harris apart, in my opinion, was that he made drastic improvements in his pass-catching this season, the one thing holding him back in past years. Montgomery, Jacobs and Harris are all the same size and are all powerful runners who could undoubtedly prove to be dominant NFL runners. Harris ran a 4.57 forty-yard dash, the eleventh fastest time at the combine, not great but not terrible by any means. Harris should be a great fit for whatever teams miss out on his Alabama running mate, whether that be Tampa Bay, Oakland or Philadelphia.
David Montgomery, Iowa State, Junior, 5'10" 222 lbs
Projection: Late Second Round
Montgomery deserves to be here. Apart from rushing for 1,200 yards and scoring three touchdowns, the Iowa State back terrorized Big 12 defenses all season through the air as well, as he secured his second straight 20-plus reception season, one year removed from a 296 yard season through the air. There was a time where I had Montgomery ranked above Harris, but the combine was not kind to the former. Montgomery finished the combine with the sixth-worst 40-yard dash, the second lowest bench press total, and the shortest vertical jump. I don’t put too much stake into the combine but it was enough for me to separate Harris and Montgomery at the top. While they are almost identical physically (both 5'10" and weigh within six pounds of each other), it was difficult to place them on this list, but Harris gets the benefit of the doubt because of his combine performance and his improvement in the passing game.
Darrell Henderson, Memphis, Junior, 5'8" 208 lbs
Projection: Mid-Late Third Round
Second most rushing yards in the country? Check. Second most rushing touchdowns in the country? Check. Three straight 225-plus yard receiving campaigns? Check. NCAA career leader in yards per attempt? Check. Fifth in the NCAA in touchdowns (including quarterbacks)? Check. Do I have to say anything else? Henderson has been one of the best running backs in the NCAA for two seasons now but took his game to the next level in 2018. Henderson is an explosive back with big-play potential and could help take a team like Chicago to the next level.
Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic, Junior, 5'7" 203 lbs
Projection: Mid-Late Third Round
Maybe the best-kept secret of college football in 2018 was Singletary at Florida Atlantic. The 5'7" back put up 1,300 yards and scored 22 touchdowns this past season. On top of that… an absolutely outrageous 2017 season. There is no way to describe his 2017 season other than to give the numbers. 1918 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, and 198 receiving yards. Outrageous. I know that he didn’t play against SEC defenses, but Singletary put up other-worldly numbers and that can not be overlooked. He has proven that he could be a workhorse back, compiling 562 carries over the past two seasons. Teams such as Chicago, Philadelphia and Indianapolis.
Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M, Junior, 5'8" 206 lbs
Projection: Late Third Round
“He’s too small.” Williams couldn’t care less about that. The Texas A&M back tore through an SEC schedule for 1,760 yards and 18 touchdowns. It is going to take a certain fit for Williams to be worth a mid-round pick, but I think there is an opportunity for him within certain systems such as Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Miles Sanders, Penn State, Junior, 5'11" 211 lbs
Projection: Early Fourth Round
Sanders had it rough living up to Saquon. But he put up respectable numbers this past season, 1274 yards and 9 touchdowns with 139 yards through the air as well. Sanders is no Saquon, but he can still be an efficient NFL rusher. It is hard to tell with limited sample size, only one season, but Sanders showed bursts last season and ran a 4.49 in the combine, good enough for sixth among all RBs. He also put up the fifth highest total on the bench press, showing that he is not just a shift back, but one who can run with some power as well. Sanders should be a good complementary fit in a backfield that already has an established back.
Benny Snell, Kentucky, Junior, 5'10" 224 lbs
Projection: Mid Fourth Round
Snell passed the eye test this past season but his combine performance left some question marks about his NFL readiness. Snell ran a 4.66, the fifth slowest time among all RBs. Although his combine performance may not have been great for his outlook, his two straight 1,300-plus yard and 16-plus touchdown campaigns definitely give hope. Snell is a big back who almost eclipsed the 300 carry mark this past season while posting his second straight campaign of 260-plus carries. Snell is a workhorse and a bruiser and would fit in almost any offense. Look for Chicago, Atlanta and Carolina to be interested in Snell.
Elijah Holyfield, Georgia, Junior, 5'10" 217 lbs
Projection: Late Fourth Round
There is perhaps no bigger name in this draft than Holyfield, the son of Evander Holyfield. Elijah is a big, powerful runner who could benefit a lot of teams, especially in the red zone. Teams such as Atlanta, Chicago and Oakland could use a back like Holyfield
Bryce Love, Stanford, Senior, 5'9" 200 lbs
Projection: Fifth Round
The Heisman front-runner at one point, Love is a fast back who could have had a better ending to his college career if it weren’t for injuries that limited him to 10 games. His 2017 season showed us how dominant he can be as he ran for 2118 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. Love is a pick very similar to Josh Adams last season, with a little more upside and a little more injury risk. I think Love is going to be a good fit for some teams in the late rounds and could emerge as a useful weapon for teams to deploy this season and in the future.
Late-Round/Free Agent Names to Look Out For
Mike Weber, Ohio State, Junior, 5'10" 211 lbs
LJ Scott, Michigan State, Senior, 6'0" 227 lbs
Myles Gaskin, Washington, Senior, 5'9" 205 lbs
Alexander Mattison, Boise State, Junior, 5'11" 221 lbs
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