2017 NFL Draft Top 5 RBs
April 27th is around the corner….which means it's almost time for the 2017 NFL Draft !!!!!
Now, I’m sure when it comes to the Draft, you deal with same problem as many other NFL fans. You want to know everything about every possible prospect. The headache is, there are just so many possible draftees that it can feel impossible to know who to focus on….
But don’t worry, I got you covered!
From now, untill Draft Day, I will thoroughly evaluate and rate all of the top prospects at every position. So that come April 27th, you won’t have to worry about who the guy is that your team drafts. Instead, this year, you’ll be worrying IF your team can get that guy.
This 1st edition is going to focus on the Running Back Position
Here are who I believe to be the best Running Backs (5 through 1) in the 2017 NFL Draft.
# 5 - Alvin Kamara
School: Tennessee
Year: Junior
Height: 5’10
Weight: 214 lb
40 Yard: 4.56 sec
Brian Spurlock | USA TODAY Sports
From what I’ve seen, Alvin Kamara is at bottom end of a topheavy running back draft class. He is a balanced runner, with average field vision, who at times, can be a serviceable receiver. To me, nothing about Kamara’s game seems to say “High Level NFL Runningback”. While he did post an impressive 40 time of, 4.56 seconds, that combine speed doesn’t seem to translate to his “In-Pad” speed. Kamara is decent at finding his holes but tends to then be unable to explode through them. I really downgraded Kamara after I watched his most recent tape against Alabama. He only carried the ball 8 times during the entire game, which tells me that Tennessee’s coaching staff didn’t trust him to handle Bama’s D. If Kamara’s coaching staff didn’t even show enough faith in him while in college, then how can a NFL team believe he will succeed at the next level? My bet is that he won’t…..
#4 - D’Onta Foreman
School: Texas
Year: Junior
Height: 6’0
Weight: 233 lb
40 Yard: 4.45 sec
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
D’Onta Foreman, the poor man's Leonard Fournette. Foreman has an impressive build as well as above average footwork and speed for his size. However, his poor field vision limits his ability to utilize his athleticism. Foreman is a raw talent, but does show signs that he could develop into a serviceable NFL running back. He is a hard, north to south runner, who seems to seek out contact. Foreman is one of the best receiving running backs in the 2017 class, but is a liability when it comes to pass protection. All in all, I believe D’Onta Foreman to be a prospect who will most likely develop into a situational running back, if he finds the right team. If not, unfortunately this may be one of the last times we hear about him.
#3 - Dalvin Cook
School: FSU
Year: Junior
Height: 5’10
Weight: 210 lb
40 Yard: 4.49 sec
Michael Conroy | AP PHOTO
Dalvin Cook is a wild card prospect, much like his running style it’s hard to project what we'll get from him in NFL. It isn’t a question of talent, he has plenty. Unfortunately, his off the field arrests and multiple injuries leave many with questions regarding both Cook’s maturity and durability. He has great speed, lateral quickness, and footwork. Cook has also shown that he has an above average in air, ball location. If Cook plans to transition into the league he must put on weight and get comfortable running in between the tackles. If he doesn’t, I fear he could turn into a 3rd down specialist and not the feature back that his talents says he should be.
#2 - Christian McCaffrey
School: Stanford
Year: Junior
Height: 5’11
Weight: 202 lb
40 Yard: 4.48 sec
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Christian McCaffrey is the Swiss Army Knife of running back prospects. McCaffrey led the nation in all-purpose yards because he is arguably as good of a receiver as he is a running back, which is what makes him so valuable. Skeptics will point out that McCaffrey is undersized for his position and tallied up over 300 carriers over his last two seasons. Both of which leads some to question his durability. That being said, I trust the team that selects McCaffery will have a system that he can fit neatly into; a system that would make him both a receiving and rushing threat. McCaffery does all of the little things, which allows him to maximize his athletic gifts. He has superb footwork and field vision as well as a patient running style. I see him having a long career in the league, if paired with a veteran QB.
#1 - Leonard Fournette
School: LSU
Year: Junior
Height: 6’0
Weight: 240 lb
40 Yard: 4.51 sec
Michael Conroy | AP Photo
Leonard Fournette isn’t just the most talented running back in the 2017 Class, he is arguably the best prospect in the entire draft. Fournette is the size of some linebackers while also being able to move like a scat-back. He shakes off arm tackles and sidesteps low cuts. Honestly, Fournette’s running ability could end up making him a top 5 running back in the NFL, if he can stay healthy. That being said, Fournette does have an average level of acceleration and a weak still arm. Also, for as impressive of a runner that Fournette is, that's really all he is…..his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is almost non-existent. However, I believe he has it where it counts. Fournette is also great at keeping the ball tucked when he runs, which is why he almost never fumbles. The sky's the limit for Fournette, he will be as successful in the NFl as he wants to be.
