rookie running back – Page 2 – Syndication Server

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.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

Isaiah Spiller is expected to be a second-round selection and he will end up on a team that will want to make immediate use of his talents

The four-star recruit from Klein Collins High School was courted by most major schools, including Oklahoma and Alabama but opted to remain near home at Texas A&M. He became a starter as a freshman and led the Aggies in rushing for all three seasons while facing top competition in the SEC.

Spiller shared the backfield with Devon Archane last year and never handled more than 188 carries in any season. He’s consistently been used as a receiver, topping out with 29 catches in his freshman year. Spiller is a power back that can handle a 20+ carry workload and he’s built for inside work but never has to come off the field.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.63 seconds

Spiller had a strained abductor muscle at the NFL Combine and didn’t run. His Pro Day disappointed with a 4.63 40-time that matters when teams evaluate him. As a bigger back, he’s more in the mold of the old-style workhorse than the faster, more versatile running backs of current day but he’s been highly productive against top talent. He could still remain a full-time option for an NFL team.

Table: Isaiah Spiller NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.	TD
2019	Texas A&M	13	174	946	5.4	10	29	203	10
2020	Texas A&M	10	188	1036	5.5	9	20	193	9
2021	Texas A&M	12	179	1011	5.6	6	25	189	7

Pros

Instinctive runner
Tremendous vision sees the defense and any opening
Thick frame and powerful lower body that churns through contact
Physical North-South runner with no fear
Good hands that rarely drop a pass
Averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the SEC
Surprisingly quick in cuts and change of direction
Follows blocking well, patient as play develops
Workhorse potential even in NFL
Durable runner with tread still left on tires
Downhill runner that just needs one-cut to break free

Cons

Lack of speed is a bigger issue in the NFL
Limited route tree while in college
Slower to regain momentum when gears down
Needs to improve pass blocking skills
Eight fumbles over college career

Fantasy outlook

There are evaluators that have Spiller as the top back in the draft and he will end up within the first few selected. He’s been compared to as a smaller, slower Joe Mixon or Javonte Williams, and his lack of speed will be a bigger issue at the next level. But he plays far faster than he times, and bottom line – has been very productive versus top college teams while in the SEC as a three-year starter.

His fantasy value will be tied almost entirely to wherever he lands. He’s easy to see as an addition to a committee backfield likely as the rushing half, but he’s been productive as a receiver. He may start out as a part-time back but could absolutely grow into being a full-timer in the right offense.

He’s been speculated to end up with the RB-needy Falcons which would likely be a best-case scenario given the lack of competition. He’s also been considered as an addition to the Broncos committee backfield. A decade or more ago, Spiller would be considered the next best thing by many. He’ll have to earn a bigger role in today’s NFL, and that means his situation will be key.

Isaiah Spiller is expected to be a second-round selection and he will end up on a team that will want to make immediate use of his talents. That means his fantasy value is going to be rather high.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB James Cook, Georgia

Cook’s versatility will make him an attractive addition to any NFL backfield, and many scouts believe he’s underrated due to his lack of statistics from the last four years.

James Cook hails from the Georgia Running Back Factory that served up D’Andre Swift, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and Todd Gurley in recent drafts. He also is the younger brother of Dalvin Cook, so he has the genetics and pedigree to be an NFL running back. Cook was the third-ranked running back in the 2018 recruiting class, and teammate Zamir White was the first-ranked. Just being a Georgia running back says a lot.

But they used a committee backfield, and Cook had minor playing time for the first three seasons. He played behind D’Andre Swift, Elijah Holyfield, and Zamir White until his senior year, when he started several games in a timeshare with White, and Cook saw his busiest season as a receiver while the Bulldogs won the Orange Bowl over Michigan and then a national championship versus Alabama.

Cook’s best game was in the 2021 Orange Bowl when he ran for 32 yards on six carries and then caught four passes for 112 yards and a score. He later rushed for 77 yards on six carries and caught two passes for 15 yards in the championship against the Crimson Tide.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 190 pounds
40 time: 4.42

Cook was always productive when given a chance but was little used in the Georgia committee backfield until last season when he finally came close to the same touches as White. He’s expected to be a Day 2 pick in the second or third round, which speaks to his potential more than his past production.

Table: James Cook NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.
2018	Georgia	10	41	284	6.9	0	8	89
2019	Georgia	13	31	188	6.1	0	16	132
2020	Georgia	8	45	303	6.7	2	16	225
2021	Georgia	15	113	728	6.4	4	27	284

Pros

Highly versatile back
Excellent receiver including work from the slot
Effective runner with over 6.0 yards per carry each year
Receiving skills of a wide receiver
Accelerates to the hole and has elite start-stop and lateral moves
Speed to take any play the distance
Mismatch against linebackers on pass plays
Low mileage back with durability should have a longer career
Could be a three-down player if needed
Can throw half-back passes

Cons

Not a power-rusher like so many other Bulldog running backs
Size suggests optimal career as a third-down back
Was arrested in 2019 on two misdemeanors but has since been exemplary so not a real concern
Poor pass blocking has to improve
Less likely to be successful with inside running at the NFL level

Fantasy outlook

Cook has the build and a resume to show that he’s well-suited to a role as a pass-catching back, but he’s not just a third-down player. His size may limit his rushing role, but he has plenty of moves and enough speed to do damage as a running back as well. He may not move the pile, but his quick feet and change-of-direction skills will be useful in the NFL as a runner, if only as a complement to a primary rusher.

As with any running back, his fantasy value will depend mostly on his opportunities. Cook has low mileage, but he spent four years with one of the elite college programs and comes off a national championship. He can contribute as a rookie though he’ll be drafted mostly as a secondary back or even depth until the depth chart opens up enough to get him on the field consistently. Cook can be a factor on all three downs.

Cook’s versatility will make him an attractive addition to any NFL backfield, and many scouts believe he’s underrated due to his lack of statistics from the last four years.

His fantasy value will spike if he lands on a team that relies heavily on running backs as receivers. He’s likely not as productive as Alvin Kamara but shares much of the same skillset. He’ll appeal more in leagues with reception points and could play as a third-down back as early as this year. But he carries the potential to be even more, so his dynasty value will be higher.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Breece Hall, Iowa State

Breece Hall to be the must-have rookie RB?

Breece Hall stepped in as the starter for the Iowa State Cyclones in the year when David Montgomery left for the NFL. By comparison, the two backs played three seasons there, and Montgomery rolled up 3,507 total yards and 26 touchdowns. Hall turned in a total of 4,675 yards and 56 scores.

Hall exploded as a dynamic back in his second season when he was the leading rusher in the FBS (1,572 yards) and was the first running back since LaDainian Tomlinson to run for over 100 yards and score in seven straight games to start a season. He racked up 1,472 rushing yards last season with a lofty 5.8 yards per carry as the Cyclone’s primary weapon. Hall was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.39 seconds

He enters the NFL draft with a throw-back style of resume, having been a prolific rusher and workhorse, who also proved himself as a worthy receiver when the occasion arose.

Table: Breece Hall NCAA stats (2019-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.	TD	Total Yards	Total TDs
2019	Iowa St	12	186	897	4.8	9	23	252	1	1149	10
2020	Iowa St	12	279	1572	5.6	21	23	180	2	1752	23
2021	Iowa St	12	253	1472	5.8	20	36	302	3	1774	23

Pros

Consummate rusher with prototypical size, great vision and instincts
Patient runner that makes use of blockers and then is gone with one cut
Vertical runner that can pick up tough yards in the interior and advance to the second level
4.39 40-time includes burst and an elite second gear
Devastating runner and capable receiver for a complete package
Big-time wheels – five 75+ yard touchdowns in college
Drops pads and absorbs contact without loss of balance
Workhorse that never has to leave the field
Highly durable even with heavy workload

Cons

Exactly 800 touches over three seasons, so higher mileage
Less adept at lateral cuts and moves
Will need to work on pass protection skills
Patience can lead to getting caught behind line

Fantasy outlook

This is the guy.

He’s very likely to be the first running back selected in the NFL draft and the first rookie runner taken in fantasy drafts. There may be no position in fantasy football that is over-drafted more than a rookie running back, but Hall could meet expectations depending on where he lands.

He offers a three-down, power-back ability that doesn’t need a committee around him. This is considered a down year for running backs and the position may not be drafted until the second round, but Hall will be among the first called and likely before the others.

A speedy rusher that can move the pile or break through it with a vertical style of running is the sort of thing that can deliver immediately in the NFL. Hall can catch the ball, but only as a function as a running back drifting to the flat or snagging a screen pass.

The expectation is that he’ll likely show up at the start of the second round of the NFL draft but may end up near the end of the first if a team moves up. That means that any of the 32 teams will have a shot at the Cyclone’s star.

The teams with the biggest apparent need at running back are the Falcons and Texans, but their offensive lines and overall outlook are not ideal for a running back looking to get 15 to 20 touches per game. The Bills could consider him and that would set fantasy drafts on fire.

Last year, Najee Harris went to a weaker Steeler team with a declining offense and blockers and still was taken in the second round of fantasy drafts and ended Top-3 in most fantasy scoring. Hall has that sort of potential, especially if he ends up on an above-average offense that will use him like Harris was (307 carries, 74 receptions).

Much relies on where he lands and the opportunity there. But don’t expect Hall to be a bargain in a fantasy draft. He’ll be one of the “sleeper” darlings for the summer.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

Kyren Williams brings a complete resume to the NFL as a playmaker

Williams was a four-star recruit coming out of his Missouri high school, where he logged 179 carries for 2,035 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior. He added 55 receptions for 725 yards for an astronomical 2,760 total yards. He was widely recruited and opted for Notre Dame where he was shelved in his first year to retain full four-year eligibility.

He became the starter in his second season though technically he was still a freshman. Williams was named as the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. After two seasons with over 1,300 total yards in each and a total of 78 receptions, he declared for this draft.

Williams is one of the more interesting players in the draft since there’s a huge division between what he did on the field, and how he measured up at the NFL Combine. There’s no disputing that he was a playmaker for Notre Dame, showing great agility on the field and considered a back that can score on any play. He was a revelation as a pass-catcher, something that is likely to be his calling card in the NFL.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 194 pounds
40 time: 4.64 seconds

He’s considered one of the most complete backs in the draft. Williams was a team captain and a leader in the locker room and on the field. He served as a true three-down back. But his physical measurables were a disappointment at the NFL draft, and that will drop him on most, if not all, draft boards.

Table: Kyren Williams NCAA stats (2019-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.	TD	Total Yards	Total TDs
2019	ND	2	4	26	6.5	0	1	3	0	29	0
2020	ND	12	211	1125	5.3	13	35	313	1	1438	14
2021	ND	12	204	1002	4.9	14	42	359	3	1361	17

Pros

Never came off the field in college. Complete back that led the offense.
Shifty runner that was hard to bring down in open field.
Always stepped up when given a bigger workload.
Proven receiving skills and can work from slot.
Can bounce to the outside if needed, but is elusive in traffic.
Durable each year.
Rusher, receiver from backfield or slot, and a punt returner.
Plays bigger than his size.
Excelled in short yardage.
Team leader with a great attitude and unquestioned effort.

Cons

28 5/8″ arms were the shortest of all combine running backs.
4.64 40-time at the combine was 0.01 seconds from being the slowest among running backs.
194 pounds was the second lightest.
Needs to improve pass blocking at the pro level.
More likely to struggle at inside running in the NFL.

Fantasy outlook

Kyren Williams was a Top-3 back on many draft boards and may still be. But his slow 40-time coupled with a smaller size frame than expected is a cause for concern for NFL scouts looking for a back that can contribute at the pro level. Short arms could mean fewer catches though he’s been an outstanding receiver in college, including running intermediate routes from the slot. He’s not just a swing pass out of the backfield when the pass rush draws near.

He ran in 27 touchdowns over the last two years while totaling 415 carries over 24 games. But 5-9 and 195 pounds, his only comparably-sized starting running back is Austin Ekeler (combine: 5-10, 195 pounds), but he ran a 4.43 40-time and he went undrafted. Ekeler is also up to 200 pounds currently.

The only other back that small in the last few drafts was Kenneth Gainwell (5-11, 195) but he ran a 4.44 40-time and was a fifth-round pick.

This is not considered a good draft for running backs with potentially none taken in the first round. Williams is expected to likely be a Round 3 selection, so he could end up on any NFL team. His size and proven receiving ability suggest a role as a third-down back and a complementary role in a committee.

Williams presents a dilemma for evaluators. He was a centerpiece of a Fighting Irish team that went 11-2 and 10-2 in his seasons as the starter. He is as complete a back as any in this draft. Disregard those measurables and he does rate as a Top-3 pick for running backs. But history has rarely been kind to players that were revelations in college but fall short in height, weight, arm length, and speed.

All Williams has done is produce, be a leader, and raise the level of play of those around him. He’ll make an interesting fantasy pick as a rookie and it will rely heavily on the opportunity he is allowed on whichever team he ends up with. He has to answer the question – which is more important? Bringing all the measurables of a prototypical successful back, or having tremendous success in college despite size and speed limitations?

Rookie Rundown: RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State

Hubbard hopes to rekindle his monster 2019 season in the NFL as a rookie.

Chuba Hubbard grew up in Canada and came to the states after running for 6,880 yards on 458 rushes for 82 touchdowns in high school. He committed to Oklahoma State University, where he red-shirted his first year in 2017. He shared the backfield in 2018 with Justice Hill before taking over as the workhorse in 2019.

Hubbard exploded on the national scene that year, rushing for 2,094 yards on 328 carries and adding 23 receptions with a total of 21 touchdowns. Had he left college then, the expectation was that the red-shirt sophomore might have been the first running back drafted. No other running back rushed more than 40 times for the Cowboys that season.

His final season was a disappointment. He was limited to only seven of the eleven games the Cowboys played in 2020 while dealing with a nagging ankle injury. He also discovered just how intensely a defense would load up against a guy coming off a 2,000-yard rushing season.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 210 pounds
40 time: 4.36 seconds

Hubbard was a beast in 2019 when he failed to rush for 100 yards in just one of his 13 games. He topped 200 rushing yards in four separate games. In the bowl game that year, he gained 158 yards on 19 carries (8.3 YPC) versus Texas A&M. He rarely had more than two receptions per game, but was fed the ball between 25 and 35 times nearly every week.

RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State stats

Year	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD	Total Yards	Total TDs
2018	13	124	740	6.0	7	22	229	2	969	9
2019	13	328	2094	6.4	21	23	198	0	2292	21
2020	7	133	625	4.7	5	8	52	1	677	6

Hubbard is expected to be selected in the third round or later by most scouts. That’s appropriate considering his down 2020 season. And that’s a steal if he bounces back to anything close to the form he showed in 2019.

Pros

Capable of being a workhorse back
Patient runner
Equally adept at inside and outside running
Above average acceleration
Lead NCAA in rushing in 2019
Durable other than the ankle in 2020
Impressed with a scorching 4.36 40-time at Pro Day
Great fit for zone blocking schemes
Vision and athleticism to work in traffic
One-cut runner with burst
Attacks tacklers and falls forward

Cons

Needs work on pass protection
Nine fumbles and lost two at OSU
Balance issues need work
Minimal experience as a receiver
Under-sized for an inside rusher

Fantasy football outlook

Working in an offense that spread out the defense, Hubbard was a devastating rusher that could find the right hole and take off. His smaller frame is a concern that he’ll fare as well in congesting in the NFL as he did in college. His lack of receiving experience – and the sense he got worse as a pass-catcher in 2020 – coupled with suspect pass protection, have scouts tabbing him as a rotational back.

Hubbard has burst and top-end speed that will serve him well. Particularly since he’s expected to be a Day 3 player, his expectations are hard to set until knowing what situation he falls into in the NFL. Last year was an odd one in the NCAA COVID-19 impacts that rippled out across all teams to some extent.

The ex-Cowboy is one to watch in the summer because he’s already proven his ability to run. Unless he improves his pass protection and receiving, he’ll be limited to a more situational role. And that works in many NFL backfields but it limits his fantasy points from a lack of touches.

Rookie Rundown: RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State

How does Sermon translate to the NFL and fantasy football?

Trey Sermon latched onto the Oklahoma Sooners in 2017 and played in 13 games as a freshman, starting three. As a sophomore, he time-shared the backfield with Kennedy Brooks and ended with 1,128 total yards and 13 touchdowns. That big year was followed up with falling to No. 3 in the 2019 backfield behind Brooks and Rhamondre Stevenson. He was lost for the season with a knee injury after ten games.

Sermon transferred to Ohio State as a graduate student in 2020 with one remaining year of eligibility. He became their starter, leading the backfield with 116 rushes for 870 yards and four scores over the eight games they played in the COVID-19 shortened season.

In the Big Ten championship versus Northwestern, he set a school record with 331 rushing yards in a single game as the MVP. The Buckeyes advanced to the National Championship, but he suffered a shoulder injury on the first play.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 pounds
40 time: 4.57 seconds

Though he was a four-year player between the two schools, he never had a truly heavy load and still has plenty of tread left on the tires with never more than 164 carries in a season. Sermon’s best games were well-timed. He responded well when the Buckeyes turned to him as a workhorse in their biggest games of the year.

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After a college career of around a dozen touches per game, he followed his monster 29-carry effort over Northwestern with 31 runs for 193 yards in the playoff win over Clemson. That included four catches for 61 yards.

RB Trey Sermon, Oklahoma* and Ohio State stats

Year	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD	Total Yards	Total TDs
2017*	13	121	744	6.1	5	16	139	2	883	7
2018*	14	164	947	5.8	13	12	181	0	1128	13
2019*	10	54	385	7.1	4	8	71	1	456	5
2020	8	116	870	7.5	4	12	95	0	965	4

The positive coming into the NFL draft is that he’s relatively fresh out of college and has only started to explore what he can do as a heavy-use, primary back.

Pros

Prototypical size
Great burst with inside runs
Quick cuts and agility keeps defense off-balance
Vision improved throughout college
Strong pass blocker
Excellent ball security
Powerful inside runner
Good run after catch on limited receptions
Played better when teams needed him most
Good acceleration after cuts

Cons

Top speed is only average at best
Can catch, but marginal experience as a receiver
Less versatility suggests committee role
Not a breakaway player
Runs upright
Knee and shoulder injuries in college

Fantasy football outlook

Given the devaluation of the running back position for NFL teams, Sermon is likely a Day 3 selection and will head to a team looking for either another back to add to the rotation or just beefing up the depth chart. Since he’ll fall deeper into the draft, he’ll be available to all teams, and his value will rely strongly on where he lands.

His lack of top-end speed and minimal use as a workhorse in college points at just an average back in the NFL. He’ll likely need injuries to other players to shake up a depth chart and give him opportunity. Then again, Sermon played best in the biggest games and while he’s dinged for a lack of receiving experience, he’s done well when given a bigger role.

Unless he falls to a team with a shaky backfield that promises opportunity, his first year only calls for drafting later in a fantasy league as depth, hoping that the situation falls such that he gets a chance to shine. He’s one to track in the summer and could surprise.