Cardinals early 2021 NFL Draft profile: Clemson RB Travis Etienne
If the Cardinals were to move on from Kenyan Drake, a great replacement would be Clemson product Travis Etienne.
Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season is here as the Arizona Cardinals take on the San Francisco 49ers. There are many pros to this team, specifically long-term. From making big additions both offensively and defensively, to locking down perhaps the best receiver in the game in DeAndre Hopkins long term, this team is built to win. However, one of the Cardinals’ biggest long term position has yet to be answered, and that is the running back position. Back in June, Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake spoke out to the media saying he is not worried about an extension with the Cardinals. On another note, the Arizona Cardinals also said that they see Chase Edmonds as a starting running back. Edmonds is under contract for another two seasons and has been a reliable complement to Kenyan Drake. Lastly, the Cardinals also drafted Eno Benjamin in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He might just be the Cardinals’ gem of the draft who has all the tools and skillset to be in the Cardinals backfield long-term.
However, as the season begins, there have been no updates on the Kenyan Drake extension talks. If the Cardinals were to move on from him, a great replacement would be none other than the best running back in the draft and Clemson product Travis Etienne.
Etienne shocked the college football world by returning to Clemson for his senior year. He racked up over 3,200 yards and 43 touchdowns as a Tiger the past two seasons. Etienne plays with a lot of power and intensity. Once he finds that open hole, he is tough to catch. As lean as he is, he still makes people overlook that case with his explosiveness and ability to power through defenders. The Cardinals need a running back that will flourish in both the run and passing game. We saw what David Johnson was able to do during his time in Arizona. His versatility is something that the Cardinals fell in love with right away. Travis Etienne can be just that.
Etienne’s receiving ability is not something that will jump out at you. However, in 2019 he was utilized in the passing game more than he ever has been in his three years at Clemson, recording 432 yards and four touchdowns. This is an area Etienne will have to polish up, but 2019 was definitely a promising year for him in the passing game, showing that he can be that guy in their backfield that can do it all.
Due to his body frame, Etienne can be inconsistent with his pass blocking. One of his games that stood out in this area of weakness was his 2019 matchup against North Carolina. There were times where he would use his shoulders but lack the technique to finish his blocks. There are some running backs that have this weakness coming into the league, and even some that still struggle with it in the NFL. This is something that Etienne will have to polish up as well, and he has all the skill and tangibles to do it.
Etienne also struggles at times with his decision making. This is probably a weakness that he will have to polish up more than others. As quick as he is, Etienne struggles to find those tight holes. He will immediately lose the battle because he either panics or will hop around in the backfield trying to find an open hole. He needs to develop that elite vision for teams to feel confident in using him as their workhorse running back. As for the Cardinals, Etienne will have to face Aaron Donald and Nick Bosa twice a year, two of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFC West. So, he would certainly have his work cut out for him, but he is talented enough to develop this trait.
Travis Etienne is going to do great things in the NFL. He would be the perfect long-term answer for the Arizona Cardinals if they end up letting Kenyan Drake walk. Etienne is a unique type of talent because his speed, versatility and elusiveness make scouts and analysts overlook the case of him being undersized. He has room to grow and with his tape right now, Etienne is first-round talent that any team like the Cardinals would love to have in their backfield.
