NFL Draft Running Back Rankings 2021: From The College Perspective

Which running backs will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

3. Javonte Williams, North Carolina

Size: 5-10, 220

The Good: He brings more power to the North Carolina back attack than Michael Carter to go along with good enough functional speed to break off mid-range runs.

Strong around the goal line and fantastic – at least in college – at getting through the first guy and moving the chains, he got a hole, powered through or off a defender, and then he was came the big gain.

You can’t knock him off his feet. He’s like a big pinball, but he’s got the feet to make the quick cuts when needed to avoid taking the big shot.

No, he’s not going to be a big volume catcher, but he’s improving as a receiver.

The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t have quite the speed you might like for a guy who averaged over seven yards per carry last year.

No, he’s not going to get crushed all that often, but he’ll take his share of shots that will add up. Those runs that turned into 6-to-15-yard gains are going to be tougher to come by at the next level.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s a different sort of back. He’s not really a home run hitter, but he busts out a whole lot of big runs and is always getting tackled down the field. He’s not all about the power, but he’s a tough guy who can become a red zone superstar.

No, he might not be a ten-year back, but he can become the focal point of an NFL running game for several seasons.

Projected Round: Second

NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings No. 2