2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jase McClellan, Alabama

Jase McClellan led the Alabama backfield last year.

Jase McClellan spent all four seasons with the Crimson Tide, trying to break through the well-stocked backfield. As a freshman, he was behind Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.. He gained steam to start his junior season with Harris gone and Robinson sharing the load but tore his ACL after five games.

When he returned for his junior season, he was second only to Jahmyr Gibbs and ended that year on a higher note with a string of 12+ carry games including 156 yards and two scores against Austin Peay. He finally led the backfield as a senior in 2023 when he ran for 890 yards and gained 137 yards as a receiver. He was still a part of a committee with his 180 rushes, along with Roydell Williams (111). Quarterback Jalen Milroe also ran the ball 161 times.

Height: 5-10
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds

McClellan didn’t do anything to set himself apart in the NFL Combine and declined running the 40-yard dash where he was expected to turn in a 4.5-ish timing. He’s the right size for the position and carries the cachet of being from Alabama, but is expected to be picked up in the final rounds of the NFL draft by a team seeking to beef up their backfield depth with a chance of gaining a committee member.

Table: Jase McClellan NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Alabama 12 23 245 10.7 2 1 1 0
2021 Alabama 5 40 191 4.8 1 10 97 3
2022 Alabama 13 112 655 5.8 7 14 174 3
2023 Alabama 13 180 890 4.9 8 15 137 0

 

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Determined runner that gets all the yardage that was blocked and finishes runs to pick up the extra yards
  • Excellent vision combines with smart running to pick the right lanes and can cut through traffic. Good fit for a one-cut rushing scheme
  • Patient runner that follows the blocks to daylight
  • Capable receiver with the biggest hands among running backs at the NFL Combine
  • Has the size and strength to be a power rusher that can break tackles and handle inside rushing
  • Tough runner not afraid of contact

Cons

  • Lacks explosiveness, more of a power runner through contact than a speed rusher looking for long gains
  • Pass protection still needs work, needs more aggression as a blocker
  • Work as a receiver was limited to very basic routes from the backfield
  • Durability concerns after a torn ACL and other dings in college

Fantasy outlook

McClellan offers an intriguing set of skills later in the draft. As with all ‘Bama backs, assessing them is harder since they benefit from a dominant O-line and yet compete for carries against other elite backs in the ever-stocked backfield. While impacted by injuries, he had to wait for his turn as the primary until he was a senior.

He can add to any NFL roster and with an expectation of being taken sometime in Day 3, he is available to any NFL team seeking to bolster their depth.  McClellan will need to work his way up the depth chart before he can offer any reliable fantasy value, but in the right situation, he can become a weekly contributor. He’s not expected to become the primary back for a team, but has enough skills and potential that he is worth tracking.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum brings elite rushing skills and a winning attitude

The prized high-school recruit from Maryland opted to play for the Michigan Wolverines where he he headed up an elite rushing attack and made a name for himself as one of the best backs in the country.  He broke their all-time record for rushing touchdowns while playing under Jim Harbaugh who has also moved this year by heading up the Los Angeles Chargers.

After two seasons of part-time play, Corum became the Wolverine’s  starting running back with spectacular results. After piling up almost 1,500 rushing yards as a junior, he again shined during the their campaign to win the National Championship ending a tick below with 1,245 rushing yards but upped his scoring total to 28 touchdowns on the season. He ended his college career by rushing for 134 yards on 21 carries for two scores against Washington to become the 2024 College Football National Championship MVP.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 213 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

Corum is only 5-8, but put on a show at the NFL Combine where he led all backs with 27 reps in the bench press, ran a solid 4.53 40-time, and added to his volume of highlight reels from the last two seasons.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-23)RB

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Michigan 6 26 77 3.0 2 5 73 0
2021 Michigan 12 144 952 6.6 11 24 141 1
2022 Michigan 12 247 1463 5.9 18 11 80 1
2023 Michigan 15 258 1245 4.8 27 16 117 1
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Superior vision combined with deadly jump cuts
  • Strong runner that runs through arm tackles
  • Tremendous burst  makes him capable of chunk plays
  • Elite decision-making skills for picking lanes and slipping through traffic
  • Gym rat with rare combination of strength and speed
  • High character guy with a winning attitude
  • Smart player who also won academic honors at Michigan
  • A backfield asset regardless of scheme

Cons

  • Smaller size at 5-8 brings durability concerns; already suffered a meniscus tear to end 2022.
  • Marginal use as a receiver in college
  • Questions regarding pass protection may limit third downs
  • Likely better fit in a committee and lacks the size for short yardage work.
  • Will turn 24 during the season

Fantasy outlook

Corum was a beast for the Wolverines and instrumental in their success the last two seasons including that National Championship Offensive MVP in January.  He doesn’t project as an every down back due to his size and potential injury concerns but he brings a skillset that will add to any offense. He’s more likely a Day 2 pick and may slide a little further if his previous knee issues and size cause concern.

The natural assumption is that he’d fit great with the Chargers who switch to HC Jim Harbaugh who already knows how to use him. Adding him as a complement to a back like Austin Ekeler should create a formidable 1-2 punch. He’s been speculated to end up with the Cardinals, Packers, Titans, or Bills. But he’d be a fit regardless of franchise because he brings a set of skills that would benefit any team, and that’s furthered by his intelligence and maturity. And falling out of the first round, if not the second, means any team could access him.

He brings a big name to the NFL after winning a National Championship and that could see him overvalued by some in the fantasy community. He should provide fantasy value as a rookie in a role that may expand during the season, but he’s unlikely to be asked to step in and take over a backfield. Corum has elite rushing skills but has to match them weekly against players that were college all-stars and remain healthy.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Roschon Johnson, Texas

Roschon Johnson is the “other guy” from the Texas Longhorn backfield

Roschon Johnson was a quarterback.  At his high school in Port Neches, Texas, he set the school record with a career 7,710 passing yards and added 4,900 rushing yards. He committed to Texas and was moved to running back during his freshman season when team injuries caused a need for his rushing skills. He completed only one pass as a Longhorn, but served as a rushing and receiving option in the backfield for all four years.

Johnson split carries with Keaontay Ingram during that first year and remained second-best while playing alongside Bijan Robinson. The duo split carries with Robinson (86-703-4) slightly busier than Johnson (80-418-6) during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Robinson took a far bigger chunk for the last two years.

Johnson maintained the same sort of pace for all three seasons, typically rushing five to eight times in most matchups. When Robinson did not play in the 2021 season finale against Kansas State, Johnson rushed for 179 yards on 31 carries.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 219 pounds
40 time: 4.58 seconds

He ended with five 100-yard efforts over his 47 games for the Longhorns, but never more than one per year once Robinson showed up to dominate the workload. Johnson took advantage of his four years in Austin, graduating with a business management degree.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2019-22)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2019 Texas 13 123 649 5.3 7 23 158 1
2020 Texas 10 80 418 5.2 6 8 51 1
2021 Texas 12 96 569 5.9 5 11 83 0
2022 Texas 12 93 554 6.0 5 14 128 1

Pros

  • Good-sized power back that break tackles
  • Aggressive, decisive rusher that picks the right lanes
  • Tough and dependable
  • Great ball security – one fumble in four years
  • Quick feet for a big back
  • Solid pass protection and willing lead blocker
  • Special teams contributor
  • Not many miles on the odometer
  • Smart player that can learn quickly

Cons

  • Slower than most NFL backs
  • Lacks creativity
  • Minor receiving experience
  • Lacks elite burst

Fantasy outlook

Johnson is the “other guy” in the Texas backfield that was overshadowed by Bijan Robinson for the last three years, but offers plenty of skills and intangibles that will net him a role in the NFL. He’s been a selfless, coachable player that is a great team fit and it can be argued that his ceiling is unknown given the success of Robinson. He could have potentially helped his stock by transferring to a different team where he may have become their primary back.

Johnson is a big back that may lack some of the quickness to reach the corner and turn up the field. But he’s a solid addition to a backfield for short yardage, pass blocking, special teams, and inside runs.

He’ll be a Day 3 pick to a team looking to restock their backfield with solid contributors. As a very versatile utility player, he has much to offer any team. His fantasy value as a rookie is more likely to be minimal unless injuries open up opportunities, but Johnson holds future promise. He’s most likely to end up a part of a committee that can grow into fantasy-relevant production.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Zach Evans, Mississippi

Zach Evans offers the potential to become a No. 1 back.

Zach Evans was considered one of the top running backs in 2019 after the Houston-native ran for 4,867 yards and 76 touchdowns over his final three years in high school. He originally signed a letter of intent with Georgia but then was released from that commitment and eventually became TCU’s first ever five-star recruit.

His two seasons at TCU saw success though not to the astronomic level of high school. He only ran 54 times as a freshman as a part of a four-man rotation for their backfield. In 2021, he assumed a larger role and rolled up four-straight 100-yard games before injuring his toe and missing the rest of the season after just six games.

In 2022, he transferred to Ole Miss, missing TCU’s Cinderella season, and splitting the backfield there with freshman phenom Quinshon Judkins who ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns on 274 rushes compared to Evans’ 144 runs for 936 yards. The Rebels’ backfield had platooned three average backs in 2021 when Evans decided to join them. Judkins surprised everyone, not the least Evans.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 202 pounds
40 time: 4.45 seconds

Evans’ chance to become the primary back in a promising backfield was cut short by Judkins’ monster season. Rather than spend his final year as the relief back for Judkins, Evans declared for the NFL draft. Unlike in high school, Evans never again played as the featured back in college, so his ceiling hasn’t been fully explored.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 TCU 9 54 415 7.7 4 8 62 0
2021 TCU 6 92 648 7.0 5 10 102 1
2022 Ole Miss 12 144 936 6.5 9 12 119 1

 

Pros

  • Smooth and natural runner
  • Has the jets to take it to the house when he breaks free
  •  Elite burst, explosive acceleration
  • Speed to get around the corner on sweeps
  • Fights for yardage, can absorb hits and keep running
  • Prototypical size for running back
  • Balance through contact a major plus
  • Sets up defenders to miss their tackle
  • Agility and power combine to reach second level and beyond
  • One of the top pure runners in this rookie class

Cons

  • Five fumbles on just 290 college carries
  • Minimal experience as a receiver
  • Lack of creativity when he runs
  • Ideally in a zone-heavy scheme
  • Pass protection needs further development

Fantasy outlook

Evans is a Day 2 prospect that should be within the first five or six running backs selected. He’s likely to be added to a team searching for rushing talent to add to a committee backfield though he has the potential to become a full-time back, even if his college resume denied him that role. He’s always been an effective rusher but will need to add more work as a receiver to become what the NFL looks for in a full-time or even a primary back.

His college experience wasn’t as great as his high school production suggested and his production was a function of the situations that he found at both of his colleges. The expectations for 2022 with the move to Ole Miss were high but he was eclipsed by the freshman Quinshon Judkins. That leaves Evans with an incomplete look at what he is capable of producing.

Evans timing has worked against him, so he’s harder to evaluate. That could mean that an NFL team gets a steal in the second or third round if he rises to what some believe his potential to be. He enters the NFL inside a deep and competitive running back class this year, so he’ll be somewhat overshadowed from the hype with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. That will make him a value pick in fantasy drafts.

Where he lands and the situation there always impacts any rookie, and Evans hasn’t been overly lucky with what happened around him in college. But he brings solid potential as a committee back, particularly working with one of reception-heavy backs who need help with relief carries and early down runs. His upside is still notable and while a risk, he could surprise on the right team.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Tank Bigsby, Auburn

Tank Bigsby is an early Day 3 prospect that could surprise

Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby was a much-coveted recruit by colleges thanks to winning the Class AA Georgia Player of the Year as a junior, when he ran for 2,221 yards at Callaway High School. That led him to sign with the Auburn Tigers where he became their primary running back even as a rookie. He won the SEC Freshman of the Year and First-Team Freshman All-SEC.

He became the Tigers’ Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he ran for 1,099 yards and ten scores on 223 carries. He topped 100 rushing yards in five games and handled up to 29 rushes per game.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 215 pounds
40 time: 4.56 seconds

Tank Bigsby declared for the NFL draft after his junior season when he rushed slightly less but turned in a career-best 30 catches for 180 yards. He saw fewer carries per game but added up to six receptions as a more complete weapon. He brings north-south ability but developed more last year than just an inside runner crashing through the line.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Auburn 10 138 834 6.0 5 11 84 0
2021 Auburn 13 223 1099 4.9 10 21 184 0
2022 Auburn 12 179 970 5.4 10 30 180 0

Pros

  • Tough inside runner with legs that don’t stop churning
  • Great balance and sharp cuts while in traffic
  • Soft hands and increased role as a receiver
  • One-cut runner that can break off long runs
  • Solid pass protector
  • Runs angry at the goal line
  • Excellent horizontal cutting for a bigger back
  • Prototypical size
  • Adequate straight-line speed to pick up chunks of yardage

Cons

  • Occasionally too patient waiting for a clear lane
  • Can leave yards on the field trying to make a bigger play instead of just taking what the defense is giving
  • Lacks elite speed – only 4.56 but ran a 4.45 at his Pro Day
  • Pass experience limited to check-downs

Fantasy outlook

Bigsby’s name should be called early on Day 3 in Round 4 or Round 5. That means he’s available to any team needing a complementary back that can potentially evolve into their primary. A common knock on him is that he’s good in every way but not quite great in any. There’s plenty of need in the NFL for a running the quality of Bigsby, and he’ll be added by a team looking for more than just backfield depth.

He’s also yet to find his ceiling, so he could develop further in the NFL and become better than he already is. He handled 30 catches last year, but they were dump-off passes and he has much to learn if he is to become a receiving back that runs actual routes.

He’s been likened to Dalvin Cook and David Montgomery. Bigsby will be snapped up on Day 3 by a team that didn’t buy an early round back but still wants someone to fill a role as a rookie. He has enough upside that he’ll be worth a later-round fantasy draft pick but it depends on where he lands and the situation there to better adjust his expectations as a rookie.

 Expect that he’ll wind up on a team searching for a solid No. 2 back to pair with their current starter. That could include the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, or Los Angeles Chargers

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Zack Charbonnet deserves a three-down role in the NFL

Zack Charbonnet racked up 4,471 yards and 62 touchdowns at his California high school and was among the top-rated running backs as a senior. He had already signed with Michigan prior to his senior season when he had just posted 2,049 rushing yards and 23 during his junior season.

He needed knee surgery prior to his freshman season and missed practice time until late summer. Charbonnet was still the primary back that year while sharing with Hassan Haskins. He set the Michigan freshman record with 11 rushing touchdowns. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Michigan only played six games and Charbonnet was limited to only 19 carries while Haskins saw the bigger workload. That led Charbonnet to enter the transfer portal and end up in UCLA as a Junior.

Charbonnet became the workhorse back he should have always been, leading the Bruins for the next two seasons.  He returned for his outstanding senior season when he rolled up 1,680 total yards and 14 touchdowns. Charbonnet was a First Team All-American and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker and Walter Camp awards. He ranked No. 15 in the nation in rushing yards despite missing two games.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 220 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

He will be one of the first running backs drafted and in the Top-5 if not the Top-3. Charbonnet offers all the measurables and skill set that historically pointed at an NFL workhorse though current offensive systems are less likely to rely so heavily on an individual running back. He’ll still attract plenty of fantasy attention.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2019-22)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2019 Michigan 13 149 726 4.9 11 8 30 0
2020 Michigan 5 19 124 6.5 1 6 41 0
2021 UCLA 12 203 1137 5.6 13 24 197 0
2022 UCLA 10 195 1359 7.0 14 37 321 0

 

Pros

  • Prototypical North -South power back, determined runner with no wasted motion
  • Runs downhill – gains speed and velocity as he runs
  • Only three fumbles on 641 college touches over four years
  • Solid pass protection blocking
  • Patient when following blocks
  • Outstanding in short yardage, keeps his legs churning
  • Strong lower body breaks tackles
  • Smart player with high football intelligence
  • Popular in the locker room, good character
  • Maintains balance through contact
  • Solid vision yields best path in traffic

Cons

  • Not quick in initial cuts
  • Average receiver that had some drops
  • Fast but not elite speed
  •  Relies more on power than elusive moves

Fantasy outlook

Charbonnet is a mature, four-year running back that projects as a starter in the NFL. He’s a bit more of a throwback to the power rushing style of the past but offers receiving ability and solid pass-pro blocking so he can stay on the field all three downs. At the least, he’s a solid pick for a team looking for help on first and second downs, and can find a role in any NFL backfield.

He is a complete back but his skills will be tested in the faster and stronger NFL. The expectation is that he will be a Day 2 selection and more likely near the end of the second or start of the third round. That makes him available to any team who needs backfield help but don’t want to spend a first or high second-round pick to get the upgrade.  That would make him a potential target for the Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, and Rams.

Outside of Bijan Robinson, Charbonnet is the only other highly-rated rookie back that carries the size for a heavy-duty role in the NFL. The other early picks are faster but also fifteen pounds lighter or more. Depending on where he lands, Charbonnet could carve out a significant role as a rookie since he’s a power-runner first and offers receiving skills as a way to remain on the field.

Charbonnet has been compared to David Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Cedric Benson and Arian Foster. He’ll get the chance to become an immediate contributor and challenge to become the No. 1 running back for his team.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Devon Achane is not the biggest player by an means, but he will be the fastest one on the football field.

Devon Achane left high school in Texas with 2,097 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns, which helped him to land with the Aggies. He played in eight games as a freshman behind the starter Isaiah Spiller with an insane 8.5 yards per carry on his 43 runs. He was the MVP of the 2021 Orange Bowl when he ran for 140 yards and two scores that included a 76-yard touchdown run to close out the 41-27 win over North Carolina.

Achane was elevated to a more even sharing with Spiller in 2021 when he gained 910 yards on 130 runs versus 1,011 yards on 179 carries for Spiller. Again, Achane led the Aggies with a 7.0-yard rushing average and even bested Spiller with nine rushing touchdowns versus his six.

With Spiller gone to the NFL last year, Achane became the unquestioned starter for 2022 when he ran 196 times for 1,102 yards and eight scores. No other back carried more than 36 times. Spiller also added a career-high 36 catches for 196 yards and three more scores as a receiver. While the Aggies missed a chance for a bowl game with a 5-7 record, Achane’s final college game saw him run for 215 yards on 38 carries with two scores versus LSU.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 188 pounds
40 time: 4.32 seconds

He gained All-SEC honors as a running back last year and also contributed to their track program thanks to his jaw-dropping speed. His size will likely cast him as a complementary addition to an NFL backfield, but history already says the speedster doesn’t need a high volume of touches to be a game-changer.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Texas A&M 6 43 364 8.5 4 5 97 1
2021 Texas A&M 12 130 910 7.0 9 24 261 1
2022 Texas A&M 10 196 1102 5.6 8 36 196 3

 

Pros

  • Sprinter speed outruns pursuit when he breaks into the open
  • Elite initial burst and reaches top speed quickly
  • Offers equally dangerous value split out into the slot as a receiver
  • Tough inside runner for his size – keeps legs churning
  • Offers special teams help as a returner
  • Soft hands doubles his threat as a receiver
  • One of the top playmakers in this draft
  • Patient rusher waiting for openings
  • Great vision couples with instant cutting in traffic
  • Plays bigger than his frame suggests

Cons

  • Size will be a factor with inside rushing or high-volume touches
  • Fearless player could impact his durability
  • Tends to bounce runs outside and aim for the big play
  • Could struggle in pass protection against bigger rushers
  • Often tackled on first contact

Fantasy outlook

There’s no question that Achane has been a play-maker and explosive addition to a backfield. His speed alone merits attention, but he’s much more than just a speedy straight-line player. Achane is very tough to find in traffic and almost impossible to catch when he breaks into the open. His size will be his biggest – and maybe only – limitation to scouts. At 188 pounds, he would be lighter than any other running back of any note last year.

Even James Cook (190 pounds) was a second-round pick last year, and Achane is expected to be a Day 2 selection. In today’s NFL, he can immediately upgrade a backfield even as a complementary player and the “lightning” to another “thunder”.  Achane always plays bigger than his size and isn’t limited to just sweeps and screens.  With the right offensive line and in an offense that passes well enough to prevent opponents from stacking the line, Achane could still matter as a complete runner.

Achane should also see work as a returner, especially as a rookie and while he learns the ropes. He averaged 30.7-yards on his 22 kick returns for the Aggies that included a 96-yard touchdown against Alabama in 2021. He won’t be a workhorse runner in the NFL, but Achane offers a very dangerous and explosive addition to any team, and can contribute as a runner, receiver and returner. He’ll be drafted by a team looking to upgrade their backfield immediately with a spark-inducing blur whenever he breaks into the open.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

Jahmyr Gibbs will be an early RB in the NFL draft and offer Week 1 fantasy production.

Jahmyr Gibbs was the 4th ranked running back coming out of high school and fielded offers from USC, Alabama, OSU, FSU, Texas and LSU, among others. He opted for local Georgia Tech where his first year led their backfield with just 89 carries while quarterback Jeff Sims delivered a team-high 120 rushes and three other backs handled over 40 carries each. Gibbs again led the backfield as a sophomore with 143 runs while two other runners turned in over 60 carries. The quarterbacks combined for 134 rushes that year.

Gibbs entered the transfer portal for his junior season and naturally landed with the Crimson Tide, who had originally pursued him out of high school. He became their primary back with a career-high 151 rushes though he shared the backfield with Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams. More notably, Gibbs also was the leading receiver with 44 catches for 444 yards and seven touchdowns. He elected to declare for the NFL draft instead of returning for a senior year.

He didn’t leave college with a ton of awards due to his lower workload, but he improved and was a difference-maker each season that he played.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 199 pounds
40 time: 4.36 seconds

Despite splitting up his college career over two schools and spending just one season at Alabama, Gibbs won’t be undervalued in the draft. His talents and measurables will translate into NFL success and the only real question is how much use he’ll see coming in as a dangerous, exciting running back with potential limitations to his workload due to his size.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Ga. Tech 7 89 460 5.2 4 24 303 3
2021 Ga. Tech 12 143 746 5.2 4 35 465 2
2022 Alabama 12 151 926 6.1 7 44 444 3

 

 Pros

  • Blazing 4.36 speed in the open, can reach the corner on outside runs.
  • Accomplished dual threat is a perfect fit for today’s NFL offenses
  • Shifty runner with tremendous burst
  • Soft hands that doesn’t drop passes
  • Superb route runner over the entire route tree
  • Quick feet and acceleration makes him a nightmare in the open
  • Capable kick returner
  • Never fumbled in college despite 530 touches in the SEC
  • Plenty of tread on the tires, never over-used

Cons

  • Undersized for a standard every-down back
  • Not well-versed in pass blocking
  • May bounce outside too often in the NFL
  • Less effective with inside runs

Fantasy outlook

Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to be the second running back selected in the NFL draft, behind only Bijan Robinson.  A decade or more ago, he’d project as a third-down back with deadly pass-catching skills that made him Alabama’s No. 1 receiver last year. The Crimson Tide’s offense wasn’t as prolific as usual last season and they turned to Gibbs when they needed a spark. In today’s NFL, he is a nice fit who won’t likely see any 300-carry seasons but may end up with that many touches.

He’s compared to Alvin Kamara, as a more durable D’Andre Swift and Austin Ekeler who shares the exact same size and many of the skills as Gibbs – just without the rookie’s eye-popping speed (Ekeler ran a 4.43 40-time at his combine). In fact, with the Chargers letting Austin Ekeler seek a trade, there’s conjecture that Gibbs could be his replacement. The offense wouldn’t suffer much, if at all. He’s also an option for the Saints to replace Alvin Kamara if his legal issues worsen.

While Gibbs was a terror to SEC defenses, the NFL is already stocked with fast defenders and his formidable rushing skills in college will likely dial back at least a little. But he’s likely the best receiving back in this class. He’s projected to be a late first-round pick or an early second-round selection which means any team can access him if only by moving up. The running back position has been devalued in the NFL for valid reasons, but Gibbs offers the trifecta of first-year opportunities – an electric rusher, a dangerous receiver, and even an above-average return man.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Tyler Badie, Missouri

Tyler Badie projects as a third-down back, but can he be more?

Tyler Badie is a four-year running back for the Tigers that became a difference-maker when he finally was made the primary rusher as a senior. He spent his first three seasons as a complement to Larry Rountree and was an SEC All-Freshman Team selection. When he took over in 2021, he ran for 1,604 yards and 14 touchdowns and upped his role as a receiver with 54 receptions. He set the new Missouri single-season record in rushing yards despite playing behind a below-average offensive line.

He was a highly effective rusher with a 6.0-yard average and was First Team All-SEC last year. He ranked third in the FBS in rushing yardage in his only starting season as one of the best running backs in college football.  He was also the SEC Scholar Athlete of the year in 2021. Last year, he turned in five games with over 200 rushing yards playing in the SEC.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 197 pounds
40 time: 4.42 seconds

Badie’s size already has him categorized as a third-down back, and history witnessed plenty of highly productive yet smaller backs fail to replicate their college success going against defenses full of ex-college all-stars. But the NFL continues to evolve the role of backfields, and Badie will find a team that can use his talents.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Tyler Badie NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2018 Missouri 12 89 437 4.9 2 12 130 0
2019 Missouri 12 108 457 4.2 3 32 356 5
2020 Missouri 10 48 242 5.0 4 28 333 2
2021 Missouri 12 268 1604 6.0 14 54 330 4

Pros

  • Good open-field burst
  • Shifty runner
  • Quick feet with lateral moves
  • Outstanding route runner
  • Natural receiver that can do more than dump-off catches
  • Compact and runs hard with low center of gravity
  • Patient waiting for holes to develop
  • Good balance on sharp cuts
  • Only lost two fumbles in four years

Cons

  • Size an issue on short-yardage and inside runs
  • Could struggle on picking up blitz
  • Smaller catch radius needs accurate passes
  • Already pegged as a third-down complementary back

Fantasy outlook

The expectation is that Badie will be drafted on Day 2 and would become an early target for Round 4 if he fell that far. His only knock is his size – only 5-8 and 197 pounds usually gets pushed around as a runner in the NFL though that’s almost the same size as Michael Carter. He will be taken as a third-down back but he’ll have his chance to assert his role as a runner as a rookie. Most third-down types have only moderate rookie seasons as they learn the nuances of catching the ball and blocking in the NFL.

He’s a definite add to a fantasy dynasty team since he’ll develop for the first year or two before reaching whatever his optimal production will be. His fantasy stock as a rookie lies almost entirely on which team selects him and the opportunity that they will afford him in his first season.

Badie is worth a deeper pick in a fantasy draft regardless of where he lands. He has the tools to find success in the NFL, the only question being if he can continue to make a difference as a rusher. Offering a third-down role will keep him in the game plan and rack up reception points. It will also keep him in line for more work if he proves himself or if the team’s primary back is injured.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jerome Ford, Cincinnati

Jerome Ford lends breakaway speed to his North-South running style that should get him onto NFL playing fields.

Jerome Ford originally played for Alabama, but like so many other top high school athletes, he found himself just one of many elite players for the Crimson Tide (Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris). After appearing in just eight games over two years, he entered the transfer portal as a redshirt sophomore in 2020 and went to Cincinnati for the next two seasons.

Ford originally was one of the top college prospects in 2018 when he attracted offers from North Carolina, Nebraska, Tennessee and Arizona.  He is considered a tier or behind the top rookie backs, but he’s already shown the traits and abilities to be a successful in an NFL that mostly relies on committee backfields.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 210 pounds
40 time: 4.46 seconds

Ford shared the Bearcats backfield with Gerrid Doaks in 2020 but then became the primary last year when he totaled up 1,539 total yards and 20 touchdowns. He failed to score in just two games and gained 5.1 yards per carry on his 15 rushes in the Cotton Bowl loss against his previous school of Alabama.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Jerome Ford, NCAA stats (2018-21) 

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2018 Alabama 4 7 37 5.3 0 0 0 0
2019 Alabama 4 24 114 4.8 3 2 11 0
2020 Cincinnati 10 73 483  6.6 8 8 51 0
2021 Cincinnati 13 215 1319 6.2 19 21 220 1

 Pros

  • Averaged 6.3 yards per carry in two seasons with Bearcats
  • Classic North-South runner
  • Patient runner that follows blocking
  • Great vision
  • Elite change-of-direction ability
  • Very strong inside rusher
  • Game breaking speed with a second gear
  • Quick feet
  • Intelligent – makes good decisions
  • Excels at short yardage

Cons

  • Not a natural pass catcher
  • Will need to develop pass protection skills
  • Older (23) for a rookie running back
  • May end up as the rushing half of a two-player backfield

Fantasy outlook

The expectation is that Ford goes in the top three rounds, and more likely in the third than the second. If he falls to the fourth, he’ll present a very nice value to his team. Ford’s college career started slowly due to the perpetual logjam of talented rushers at Alabama, and he needed two years to establish himself for Cincinnati, so basing his outlook solely on his college resume is likely incomplete.

Ford was a great rusher for the Bearcats with chunk plays and breakaway speed when he cleared the first tier of the defense. That rushing ability could get him onto the field as a rookie, but his more sparse background as a receiver could work against him ever becoming a three-down back in the NFL.

As with any runner, where he lands will dictate how much fantasy value he’ll create as a rookie.  But Ford could surprise in the right situation. He only totaled 31 receptions in college, but he did catch nearly every pass thrown to him. He’ll be a strong consideration on dynasty teams and a definite training camp watch regardless wherever he lands.