Running backs have always been a tricky read in the NFL draft. There is always one or two drafted in the first round every year (Last year Najee Harris & Travis Etienne were 1st round picks). Every year there is always usually a diamond in the rough found (undrafted rookie James Robinson). The top six leading rushers in 2020 consisted of 1 first round pick, 2 second round picks, 1 third round pick, 1 fifth round pick, and an undrafted rookie. The moral of the story here is you can find a running back anywhere in the draft and taking one early is a risk. The running back position is undervalued; but situations like red zone offense, 4 minute offense at the end of a game, and pass protection on 3rd down are all huge aspects of winning football games.
Running backs:
Kyren Williams – 5’9” 195 – Notre Dame – Senior – Rating (4.00)
2020 Stats: 12 Games / 1125 rushing yards / 13 rushing touchdowns
35 receptions / 313 receiving yards / 1 receiving touchdowns
Strengths: Best all-around running back in college football.
Weakness: Needs to add some weight and get more experience.
Player Comparison: Tiki Barber – Former New York Giant
Overall: Watching film on Williams, the biggest standout was how he does all aspects of the position well. He can run with both power and speed, has good receiving skills, and is extremely willing pass blocker. Williams can play in both spread offenses as well as line up in the I-formation and carry the load. After a great 1st full-time season as a starter, you can expect Williams to be in the Heisman talk throughout his junior campaign. His vision and cutback ability is at elite levels. These attributes were on full display in games against both Clemson (140 rushing yards 3 touchdowns) and North Carolina (124 rushing yards 3 total touchdowns) games. October 2nd against a very aggressive Cincinnati Bearcats defense should be a great test for Williams.
Eric Gray – 5’10” 205 – Tennessee – Junior – Rating (3.80)
2020 Stats: 9 Games / 772 rushing yards / 4 Rushing touchdowns
30 catches / 254 receiving yards / 2 touchdowns
Strengths: Aggressive runner, elusive in space, and good receiving skills.
Weakness: Doesn’t have classic breakaway speed for a guy his size.
Player Comparison: James White – New England Patriots
Overall: Eric Gray spent his first two season with Tennessee. Both seasons were very productive in the Volunteer backfield. This fall Gray will be headed to Norman, playing his junior season for the Oklahoma Sooners. The 2020 Gator Bowl MVP (120 total yards and 1 touchdown) will make quiet the formidable duo with star quarterback Spencer Rattler. Gray is a shifty runner in the open field who runs the ball with an edge to him. He will be a great addition to the Lincoln Riley’s offense.
Breece Hall – 6’1” 215 – Iowa State – Junior – Rating (3.75)
2020 Stats: 12 Games / 1572 rushing yards / 21 rushing touchdowns / 23 Reception / 183 receiving yards / 2 receiving touchdowns
Strengths: great breakaway speed and leaping ability
Weakness: inexperienced in pass protection
Player Comparison: Felix Jones – Former Dallas Cowboy
Overall: Breece Hall had a record breaking 2020. The Big 12 offensive player of the year found the end zone 23 times leading his team to a 9-3 record and a Fiesta Bowl victory. With over 300 touches last year for the Cyclones, Hall proved that he can be the workhorse in any offensive schemes. The 2020 All-American had 9 – 100 yard games and found the end zone in all 12. In today’s NFL, Hall is a coveted, durable, all-purpose back. Iowa State starts the season in the top 10 rankings. Matchups against Iowa early and Oklahoma late could separate Hall from the other back and be a huge part of his Heisman campaign.
Isaiah Spiller – 6’1” 225 – Texas A&M – Senior – Rating (3.70)
2020 Stats: 10 Games / 1036 yards rushing / 9 touchdowns rushing / 20 receptions / 193 receiving yards
Strengths: Patient runner, who breaks a lot of tackles.
Weakness: Does not have breakaway speed
Player Comparison: Kareem Hunt – Kansas Chief and Cleveland Browns
Overall: If Breece Hall is the lighting, Isaiah Spiller is the thunder of this running back group. Spiller is a classic power runner who can carry the load for any offense. The absence of 4 year starting quarterback Kellen Mond (who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings) will put more emphasis on Spiller being productive in both the running and passing games. Alabama comes to College Station October 9TH. All eyes will be on the physical matchup of Spiller and All-American linebacker Christian Harris.
CJ Verdell – 5’9” 210 – Oregon – Senior – Rating (3.60)
2019 Stats: 5 Games / 285 Rushing yards / 3 Rushing touchdowns /
9 receptions / 96 receiving yards
Strengths: Good balance, runs downhill with violence, good zone cut back runner, give great effort in pass protection.
Weakness: Hasn’t been utilized as a receiver enough.
Player Comparison: Priest Holmes potential – former Kansas City Chief’s running back
Overall: In a shortened season that saw Verdell only play in 5 games, the obvious move would have been for the talented Oregon running back to leave for the pros. With the lifespan of a running back being so short, you need to get paid while you are still healthy. Surprisingly, Verdell is returning for his senior season and is motivated to get back to the form he showed in his first two seasons. A week 2 matchup with Ohio State in Columbus will be a barometer if both Oregon and Verdell have returned to prominence.
Sincere McCormick – 5’9” 205 – UT San Antonio – Junior – Rating (3.50)
2020 Stats: 11 Games / 1467 Rushing yards / 11 Rushing touchdowns / 20 Receptions / 131 Receiving yards / 0 Touchdowns
Strengths: powerful runner, strong lower body.
Weakness: Does not play against top level college teams.
Player Comparison: Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Bucs
Overall: McCormick was the second leading rusher in the nation behind Breece Hall. Sincere, who has the best first name in college football, is a “one cut and go” running back. Like his first name, he is the truth when it comes to balance and finding an open gap. His inexperience in pass protection and catching balls out of the backfield will have to improve to take his game to the next level, sincerely.
