2024 NFL Draft: RB Rankings:
1
Jaylen Wright
School: Tennessee
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 210 lbs
Strengths:
Wright brings dynamic speed whenever he is on the field. On any touch, he is a threat to go all the way. His acceleration is great, and he can go from 0 to 100 very quickly, and he can easily outrun defenders in the open field. He is a good one cut runner. His plants are sharp and he can shift the direction of his run quickly, while also getting back to full speed very quickly. Wright has speed, but also pretty good strength. He doesn’t mind lowering the shoulder, and he is quite tough to bring down. There have been times where he has dragged defenders forward with him while he picked up a handful of extra yards. Wright also does well in pass protection. The willingness and strength to succeed are both there, but his instincts also look good in this area. He is able to quickly recognize where he needs to turn his focus, and he is able to get there in time to make the block.
Weaknesses:
Wright has blazing speed, but not the lateral agility to go with it. This prevents him from checking all of the boxes as a player. Wright can make single cuts, but he isn’t someone who will be creating space for himself through the use of jukes and stutters. He relies on his speed to either draw off in a straight line, or beat the defender to the corner. Vision is an area where he will need to improve. Wright will oftentimes run into a wall, while ignoring open space to the outside. He doesn’t seem to always recognize holes opening up beyond his initial one. As a pass catcher, he is capable. However, he doesn’t have the most experience. As well, his stiffness as a lateral mover is something I think will limit him as a pass catcher at the next level. In college, there were a few issues with fumbles.
Summary:
Wright’s blazing speed will make him a weapon at the next level. He is a homerun threat on every touch, and the layer of toughness that he possesses adds a nice touch to his game. Wright’s ability in pass protection could help him stick on the field on passing downs, but I do have some questions about how well his skill set will translate into production as a pass catcher. In any event, Wright profiles as a starting RB at the next level. I do think he is capable of being a 3 down back, but a team might have to live with a couple of limitations if they choose to use him in all situations.
| Grade: 79.5 | Round Grade: 3rd |
2
Trey Benson
School: Florida State
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 216 lbs
Strengths:
Benson is a big back, but on the field his speed is what stands out the most. As a straight line runner, he is extremely tough to catch in the open field, and he managed to make his way into the second level quite often. Benson is a good one-cut runner, and his cuts are shart. When he picks his running lane, he wastes no time bursting through it, showing great acceleration. He has the size to run between the tackles, and the speed to win races to the corner, making him successful on outside runs. Benson has been used as a pass catcher. I thought he did well in the screen game. He is quick to pick up speed, and his sharp cuts allow him to get through the initial traffic and make his way into the open space ahead of him.
Weaknesses:
Benson has good size, but at times I feel he plays smaller than he should. He can be brought down a bit too easily in some instances, with some short yardage plays included. Benson is a fast one-cut runner, but lacks the lateral agility to effectively use jukes and stutters to make people miss in the open field or behind the line of scrimmage. If a lane isn’t open for him to cut into, he won’t create much for himself. His vision is okay, but still coming along. There are instances where he is slow to see the play develop, and get himself into trouble. Benson has been used as a receiver, and his experience includes being flexed out into the slot. However, I don’t know how well this part of his game will translate to the next level. This goes back to his lack of lateral agility. I think it will hold him back as a route runner, limiting his ability to be effective in this role. He is better off catching screen passes. Benson has the size to pass protect, but will have to make technical improvement before he can be trusted regularly in this role.
Summary:
Benson has homerun speed and was able to rip off a large number of big plays because of it. When he gets into the secondary, defenders are in for a challenge trying to catch him. His speed and sharp cuts will make him an effective runner at the next level, but he is a one-cut, north/south kind of runner, who is a bit lacking when it comes to lateral agility. This does limit him a little in some areas. As a receiver, for example, he’ll probably be limited to simpler stuff out of the backfield. Benson has size and the potential to play a physical game, but I’d like to see him play a bit stronger and not be brought down so easily, as he had been in some instances. He also has some technical improvements to make as a pass blocker and can stand to see the field better as a runner. While he is still developing in some areas, Benson still has the traits and ability to start immediately and be effective. As he grows as a player, he could be someone who earns an every down role.
| Grade: 79.2 | Round Grade: 3rd |
3
Jonathon Brooks
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 216 lbs
Strengths:
Brooks is a quick, nifty player with the ability to make people miss. This is visible early on in a lot of his touches. On plays that get blown up, he can still create for himself and turn nothing into something. Speed looks good. Maybe not quite elite, but he can definitely rip off some big runs. It especially builds up as he gets going, which does allow him to outrun some defenders when he does make it to the second level. Brooks is a good receiver out of the backfield. He has soft hands, and has even showcased the ability to reel it in with one hand. His quickness is a big asset here, and he is able to pick up good yardage after the catch. Brooks also contributes as a pass blocker. He stands up pretty well to blitzing LB’s and doesn’t seem to shy away from the contact.
Weaknesses:
Brooks has good speed and burst, but doesn’t always use it early in reps. He can be indecisive behind the line of scrimmage, and enter a lane almost with a sense of cautiousness, rather than bursting through. This has left yards on the field. He also doesn’t have good play strength as a runner. I wouldn’t necessarily say that strength itself is the issue, as he does handle himself well as a blocker. But as a runner he just doesn’t hold up the same way. He gets knocked down and tackled pretty easily, and doesn’t often run through people. This might cause some trouble in short yardage situations at the next level. Brooks suffered an ACL injury near the end of last season, which will cause teams to take a close look at the medicals.
Summary:
Brooks is a good runner with the quickness and lateral agility to make people miss in the backfield. He can rip off some big runs, and can also contribute big plays in the passing game, with his soft hands and YAC ability. Brooks is pretty reliable as a pass blocker, which gives him 3 down potential. However, his vision and decision making will have to improve in order to maximize his output. As well, failing to improve his play strength and contact balance may cause issues for him, especially in short yardage situations. He has some things to work on and will need some seasoning, but Brooks has the talent to be a 3 down back in the NFL.
| Grade: 78.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
4
MarShawn Lloyd
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 220 lbs
Strengths:
Lloyd is a dynamic offensive threat, able to contribute in a variety of ways. His lateral agility and elieness stand out on tape. He is constantly looking to make people miss, and is successful very often. He pairs this ability with very good breakaway speed, which has led to a number of big plays. Though his usage wasn’t big as a pass catcher, I thought he looked good when he did get the opportunity. His hands are good and his athleticism allows him to go for large gains after the catch. Lloyd is on the shorter side, but has a very solid build, which allows him to still play with an element of power. I don’t have any problem with him running between the tackles, and he can be pretty difficult to bring down.
Weaknesses:
Fumbling has been a massive issue. In almost all of my exposures, the good feeling of his impressive plays were extinguished by bad fumbles. He can be careless with the ball at times, which has contributed to this issue. His vision is also something that can be improved. Being more decisive and instinctive, especially near the line of scrimmage, will help his game a lot. As an athlete, Lloyd is very elusive. This is nitpicking, but the one thing I might take note of is that he can be a bit clunky when changing directions. He is not perfectly smooth. Though, like I said, this is more of a nitpick. Lloyd has shown the willingness in pass protection, but poor technique has led to some early losses. His smaller size also doesn’t help him here. Lloyd has a history of injuries, which teams will have to look into and make sure they feel comfortable with.
Summary:
Lloyd has dynamic qualities as an athlete, showing the ability to open up space for himself with his quickness, and draw off in the open field with his speed. His speed allows him to run to the outside, but he is also bulky enough to run between the tackles. Though his usage wasn’t huge, he has the skill set to contribute as a pass catcher. Despite all the good, however, massive fumbling issues could push him down a lot on draft day. He will need to make significant improvements in this area, or coaches won’t be able to trust him on the field at all. As well, his vision and decisiveness early in runs will need to improve, as will his work in pass protection. Improving his vision and pass protection would help his game a lot, but eliminating the fumbles is what could make or break his career. If he can get that under control, Lloyd has the talent to be a quality starter.
| Grade: 74.3 | Round Grade: 4th |
5
Rasheen Ali
School: Marshall
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
Ali is an athletic runner with the ability to create big plays on offence. As a runner, his quick feet allow him to dodge tackles, before he then bursts through an open lane. He has the speed to turn the corner on outside runs, and is a homerun threat if he gets to the second level. Ali is someone who is able to outrun defenders in a footrace to the endzone. He contributes in the passing game with his soft hands and ability to pick up yards after the catch. His quickness allows him to create separation, and then make people miss in space. Though he isn’t a power runner, Ali can run up the gut. He side steps would-be tackles near the line, and gets forward for a positive gain. Although there are some limitations, he shows enough willingness and effort as a blocker for him to have some success in this area of his game.
Weaknesses:
Ali doesn’t have much of a power element in his game. Even when running between the tackles, his success is based largely on finesse. He has a tough time breaking through arm tackles, and his contact balance isn’t anything special. Ali has shown glimpses of good vision, but there are inconsistencies. He tries to bounce it outside a lot, which does feel natural, given his skill set. However, he sometimes seems insistent on doing it, even when it’s not open. Ball security is also an issue he’ll need to sort out as he enters the NFL. Fumbles occurred pretty frequently, relative to his number of carries. If mistakes like this keep occurring once he is in the NFL, he’ll have a tough time staying on the field.
Weaknesses:
Ali is a dynamic offensive threat, with the speed and quickness to burn defenses with big plays. He can contribute in the passing game, as an outside runner, and as an inside runner. However, his inside game revolves around finesse, and not power. Power is the main part of his game that is lacking. He isn’t able to consistently break through tackles, and his contact balance leaves much to be desired. Ali also has some other issues, but they are more fixable. His vision is something that, ideally, he’ll be able to develop. Kicking things outside became a bad habit, as his timing in these situations wasnt always good. Above all else, the most important thing he’ll have to think about is ball security. His other skills won’t matter if a coach can’t trust him to be on the field. But if he can get that sorted out, Ali has the talent to be a starter pretty early on in his career.
| Grade: 73.3 | Round Grade: 4th |
6
Keilan Robinson
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 191 lbs
Strengths:
Robinson is an electric athlete that can be used in a variety of ways on the football field. He excels on outside runs, beating defenders to the corner, and turning it swiftly with a sharp cut. Robinson is a big threat in the passing game. His hands are soft, and he catches the ball cleanly without breaking stride. His high-end speed pairs well with outstanding quickness. He makes people miss regularly, opening up opportunities for big plays. A real homerun threat. Robinson was also effective running jet sweeps, and was often used in motion as a decoy. The quickness that he possesses also helped him a bit when running between the tackles. He isn’t someone that will shake off contact, but he can wiggle his way through sometimes, and burst through the lane if he has some room.
Weaknesses:
Size is a concern for Robinson, and there is a good chance it limits his role. He was never a featured back in college, and this may be the case again in the NFL. Robinson doesn’t play with a lot of contact balance, and won’t drive piles forward as a runner inside. This seems to cause some lack of trust when he does get inside opportunities. In some cases, he’ll bounce it outside prematurely, rather than letting the play develop. His size issue will also prevent him from having much of an impact in pass protection.
Summary:
Robinson projects as a change of pace back at the next level. As an undersized player who lacks a power element to his game, he is unlikely to feature as a starter or 3 down player. However, his speed, acceleration, and agility are big play attributes that teams want on the field. Robinson can run to the outside, catch passes, and be used on jet sweeps. He isn’t a complete player, but he can be a playmaker on offence in the right role, and should have his opportunities to get into games. And with a talented offensive line that affords him more space, perhaps he can be dangerous with a bigger workload than he has seen historically.
| Grade: 71.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
7
Tyrone Tracy
School: Purdue
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 209 lbs
Strengths:
Tracy is a converted WR, which makes his strong ability as a pass catcher no surprise at all. He has displayed soft hands and can quickly adjust his positioning to snatch passes that are a bit off target. Tracy has good acceleration and can quickly get up the field after making a catch. As a runner, his speed is pretty solid. Tracy can beat defenders to the corner on outside runs, and burst into the secondary when he finds some space. His contact balance was surprisingly good, and he also had his own in pass protection. It wasn’t all perfect in that area, but I would say there was more good than bad. He also has experience on special teams. Tracy has returned a lot of kickoffs, including one for a TD. He also has experience in kick coverage.
Weaknesses:
As a converted WR, I mentioned that it is not surprising to see him excel as a pass catcher out of the backfield. But similarly, it is also unsurprising to see some issues that are partly due to his inexperience at the position. At this point, he much prefers running to the outside, and a lot of his inside runs are taken outside prematurely. His vision between the tackles just isn’t there yet, and is something he will have to work on. Tracy is a good athlete with good elusiveness, but I wouldn’t say that he is perfectly smooth. There is a bit of stiffness that shows up as he is stopping and starting or changing directions. Ball security will need to improve.
Summary:
At this point, Tracy projects as a 3rd down/passing down back who could potentially expand on that role as he develops. He is strong in the passing game, both as a pass catcher and runner after the catch. His ability in pass protection further adds to his value in this role. Tray plays with good enough contact balance to run between the tackles, but his vision isn’t there yet. Though he may be a complimentary option, at least early on, his added value on special teams could give him an edge over other prospects teams may have rated close to him.
| Grade: 70.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
8
Austin Jones
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 211 lbs
Strengths:
Jones was a lesser used back at USC, but has the talent to succeed at the next level. His quickness is one of the things that stands out most when watching him play. He is able to create for himself, making people miss when boxed into tighter spaces, and then turning on the accelerators when the lane opens up. His vision is pretty good. Not only does it help him get out of trouble, in some instances, but it also allows him to identify running lanes to the outside, allowing him to eventually turn the corner upfield for a bigger gain. For a leaner RB, he is pretty strong between the tackles. While it won’t be his calling card at the next level, he has the contact balance to still run these plays at an adequate level. Jones possesses soft hands and his quickness contributes to his ability as a route runner. He can get open and create some matchup issues for the defence. His standout performance at the Hula Bowl should help his stock.
Weaknesses:
Jones plays bigger than his size, but it could still limit him at the next level. He will still have to get stronger in order to maintain a level of contact balance similar to what he displayed at the college level. Jones is a twitchy athlete with good burst, but lacks the long speed to turn the mid-range pickups into homerun type plays. His initial burst allows him to get to the next level of the field, but he then sort of comes back to earth a little bit and his speed levels off. He isn’t slow, by any means, but higher end long speed would be nice. With his leaner frame, Jones will have a tough time making it as a pass protector, which may take away from potential 3rd down snaps.
Summary:
Jones is a solid all around RB who has largely fallen under the radar due to limited usage in college. For a leaner guy, he shows ability to play between the tackles, but likely still needs to bulk up a bit to maintain that level of play. His quickness and ability to create stand out, as he was able to go for some chunk gains. However, his average long speed will likely prevent solid pickups from becoming great. But flaws aside, Jones has good quickness and his ability to contribute as a pass catcher can’t hurt his stock. The upside is there to be at least a receiving back, with potential to have that role expanded.
| Grade: 69.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
9
Blake Corum
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 205 lbs
Strengths:
Corum is a very smooth runner with underrated quickness. He effectively uses a jump cut to dodge defenders that get early penetration. As he continues to make his way forward, he is further able to weave his way through traffic. Corum has a sort of slipperiness about him, and he can just be tough to bring down. Though he isn’t the biggest guy, he can generate some power when he picks up steam, which further makes him tough to bring down. Corum’s vision is outstanding. It is not only that he has the quickness to avoid tackles, he sees where lanes are about to open up, which makes it tough for defenders to even get in position to tackle him.
Weaknesses:
Outside of his smooth lateral agility, Corum is painfully average from a traits perspective. He has just enough speed to be an effective runner, but there is a cap on his big play potential at the next level. While he has the burst to get into the secondary, he doesn’t have the long speed to make it past that point very often. Additionally, while he does try to play with power, his size will make this an issue at the NFL level. Corum didn’t contribute much at all in the passing game, and also wasn’t too impressive as a pass blocker.
Summary:
Corum enters the NFL as an over aged prospect with limited athleticism and a smaller frame. This will surely cause him to fall in the draft, as he doesn’t have that high end ceiling of a dynamic playmaker. His limitations in the passing game, both as a receiver and blocker also hurt his draft stock. But with that being said, Corum is a gamer and will be an effective runner at the next level, even if he ends up being a lower draft pick. He is sneaky elusive and is very smooth as a lateral mover, which allows him to create more space for himself early in runs. As well, he plays hard every snap, and has shown he can do so consistently, even with a big workload. Corum is unlikely to be a dynamic big play threat at the next level, but his lateral agility and blue collar mentality will still allow him to find success as a runner. He’ll probably be best suited in a committee with a more athletic receiving back that can fill the gaps that Corum is missing in his game.
| Grade: 68.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
10
Isaac Guerendo
School: Louisville
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 221 lbs
Strengths:
Guerendo has dynamic straight line speed. He showcased this on the football field, and at the NFL Scouting Combine. When he ends up in space at the second level, he is able to draw off from defenders and go for a big gain. Guerendo also has very good size for the position. His frame is compact and sturdy, which allows him to have an element of power in his game. As well, he has put some good pass blocking reps on tape thanks to his size and strength. Guerendo has good vision. He is patient behind the line and can determine the best path forward. As a pass catcher, he has soft hands and can contribute in the underneath game.
Weaknesses:
While Guerendo has blazing straight line speed, he is a stiff mover laterally, and he lacks the ability to change directions and keep his momentum going. He doesn’t have an easy time starting and stopping, and looks clunky when attempting to cut. This also presents challenges for him in the passing game. While he has the hands to reel in the ball, and the speed to get it up field, his limited agility makes it more difficult for him to separate. Guerendo also had some issues with his contact balance. Despite having the strength to rumble his way forward, he sometimes allowed contact to bring him down too easily. For much of his college career, Guerendo dealt with injuries that limited his playing time.
Summary:
Guerendo’s performance at the combine stands out, but his lateral agility does not match the straight line speed he showed on tape and at the combine. He is limited in terms of what he can create because of this, but he has the speed to draw off if he is able to find a lane that gets him into the secondary. His ability in pass protection and the element of power that he brings as a runner helps to make up for some of the other limitations, but he’ll need to improve his contact balance in order to maximize his talents. Guerendo projects as a backup at the next level, but a 3 down player stylistically.
| Grade: 67.5 | Round Grade: 5th |
11
Ray Davis
School: Kentucky
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 211 lbs
Strengths:
Davis has a small but compact frame, allowing him to run well between the tackles. He can be tough to bring down at times, and can be an asset in short yardage situations. His speed is okay, but not great. He has enough to do some damage in the secondary. Davis was a bit more athletic than I was expecting entering his evaluation. He did show some one-cut ability and an odd flash of studders. I like the patience that he runs with a lot of the time. Not only at the line, but also in space. He does well to let things open up and then take his chance. Davis is a solid pass catcher. Good hands and has a little ability to pick up YAC.
Weaknesses:
Davis has passable athletic traits, but they fall below the standard that would make him a dynamic threat as a runner. Though he does make people miss from time to time, his moves are often very segmented. It is hard for him to regain that speed quickly once he has slowed down. Further, his speed is average, which limits his potential to breakaway for bigger gains. Davis has shown flashes in pass protection. And with his frame, it definitely should be an option. However, he will have to improve his technique in order to become more consistent. He will also have to be better at protecting the ball.
Summary:
Davis is a bruiser back who possesses a little more athletic ability than you typically see from these kinds of players. As a one-cut runner, he can get up the field quick enough, but is lacking the agility to play more of an east/west game. I don’t think he will be making as many people miss at the next level. Still, Davis does enough as a runner and pass catcher to potentially find a starting role. But he will need to improve his pass protection to be fully trusted on passing downs. He has ability in that area, but needs technical improvement.
| Grade: 66.9 | Round Grade: 5th |
12
Audric Estimé
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 221 lbs
Strengths:
Estimé is a big, bruising RB. Ideal especially in short yardage and goalline situations. He is like a wrecking ball as an inside runner, just about taking out everything in his path. Defenders will never have an easy time tackling him, and it is not just because of his large frame. He runs with a mean streak, keeping his feet moving, and constantly adjusting his upper body positioning so as to not give them a solid target they can latch onto. This makes him slippery as a runner. Estimé also has good vision, which allows him to pick out and then go through the correct running lane. For a power runner, he is a pretty good pass catcher. His ability in this area is basic, but he has reliable hands and can be an effective check down target. His reliability as a pass protector will further help his case to stay on the field on passinging downs.
Weaknesses:
Estimé’s hard nosed running style is appealing, but he is also lacking when it comes to athletic traits. He doesn’t display very much speed, and he is equally limited when it comes to lateral agility. While he is able to power his way forward often, the big play potential is very limited, as he won’t outrun defenses, and can be caught from behind. Estimé offers basic receiving abilities, but his stiffness prevents him from creating much separation, so I wouldn’t say he is a weapon in this area. Moreso a checkdown target.
Summary:
Estimé is a limited player, in terms of overall athleticism. He won’t bring a high ceiling, but he can bring solid value as a power back in a committee. Estimé is a tough runner who can break through tackles and pick up tough yardage up the middle. His style and limitations will be a turn off for some, but in the right role, he is someone who can make some contributions on offence. Although he is limited in a lot of areas, he has the things he does well, and does them really well, which is something I think sets him apart from a lot of the other power backs in this class.
| Grade: 65.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
13
Kendall Milton
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 225 lbs
Strengths:
Milton is a big, downhill back who brings a tremendous amount of power. As a runner up the gut, he bounces right off of tackles, making sure to lower his shoulder and deliver a punishing blow in the process. His size and strength make him useful in short yardage and goalline situations, where he is able to bulldoze his way forward. For a power back, he offered a little more in the passing game than you sometimes see. Nothing too complicated, but he has reliable hands, and can take the yards that are in front of him.Though he isn’t the fastest player, Milton is patient to allow his blocks to develop, and when he gets to the second level, he has a pretty strong stiff arm that helps him pile on some extra yards. Milton’s size and strength translates into success as a pass blocker.
Weaknesses:
Milton’s game revolves completely around power. Unfortunately, he lacks the athleticism to diversify his game in any way. His speed is below average, and he doesn’t have a ton of quickness to make people miss in the open field. His capabilities in the passing game are basic. He has reliable hands, but won’t be able to get open on more complicated routes.
Summary:
Milton will have some suitors, as teams looking for a power back are likely to have him in their consideration. His big frame and abundance of power makes him an ideal fit for this role. However, with today’s NFL continuing to shift towards more athleticism, Milton will also be out of consideration for a lot of teams. I don’t see starter upside, given the nature of today’s game. But he can be an effective depth player that sees the field situationally.
| Grade: 61.9 | Round Grade: 6th |
14
Jadan Shirden
School: Monmouth
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 187 lbs
Strengths:
Shirden brings a nice blend of athleticism that should translate into playmaking potential at the next level. His burst is evident early on in his reps. He hits the hole with a purpose and quickly emerges out the other side. Shirden’s shiftiness allows him to make people miss in the open field, both as a runner and a pass catcher. He can change directions pretty effortlessly, and weave his way through traffic, even between the tackles. Shirden is a natural pass catcher who can pile on yards after the catch. He was also used on the odd jet sweep. For a smaller guy, his ability to keep the ball protected was very good. His numbers in this area are outstanding.
Weaknesses:
Shirden is an undersized back with very little contact balance in his game. He goes down when the defender gets to him, rarely showing the ability to bust through. Even for a smaller guy, he went down a bit too easy for my liking. With his lack of power, running up the gut won’t be his calling card. And poor decisions also don’t help him in some instances, as there were times where he ran himself into traffic. His slight frame will likely prevent him from having much of an impact as a pass protector.
Summary:
Shirden projects as a change of pace back at the next level. He has the speed and agility to be a weapon in space. Outside runs and catches out of the backfield are where he is at his best. Shirden lacks the size and power to really be a feature back, and up to this point, he hasn’t shown the vision to make up for his lack of contact balance on inside runs. Overall, he can provide value for a team that can find ways to get the ball in his hands in space. But his role will be limited.
| Grade: 60.0 | Round Grade: 6th |
15
Jase McClellan
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 221 lbs
Strengths:
McClellan is a solid all around RB. He plays a pretty tough game between the tackles. He’ll battle his way through initial contact and fall forward for extra yards. His no nonsense running style is suited for his strengths. He doesn’t waste time stuttering or trying to find more when it isn’t there. McClellan sees his running lane and takes it. Enough burst is there for him to hit the hole effectively, and sometimes get to the next level. McClellan can contribute as a pass catcher. He is not dynamic, but has soft hands and can give you a few yards after the catch.
Weaknesses:
He isn’t terrible in any one area, but he also doesn’t stand out as being elite in any one area. He can play a power game, but isn’t really a true power back. And while he has the speed to make some plays, he is more of a one speed guy who doesn’t have that next gear to truly be a homerun threat. Agility is probably where I’d say McClellan is most lacking. His cuts aren’t super sharp and there isn’t much creativity to his game. The potential is there for him to be good in pass protection, but some technical improvements need to be made.
Summary:
McClellan brings enough power and good vision to be a solid contributor, possibly in a committee role or a backup filling in for injury. He isn’t a dynamic player and his athletic traits are underwhelming. However, he does offer some ability as a pass catcher, and should be able to improve as a pass protector. He projects as a backup at the next level, and doesn’t have a super high ceiling. But his floor should be decent enough for a depth player, and he is someone who could contribute in a pinch. Given his lower-end traits, he may have to prove himself as an undrafted free agent, if he doesn’t get selected in the late rounds.
| Grade: 59.4 | Round Grade: 7th |
16
Isaiah Davis
School: South Dakota State
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 218 lbs
Strengths:
Davis is a well built RB who is at his best running between the tackles. His size allows him to lower his shoulder and muscle his way forward for extra yards. He can be a real pain for defenders to bring down. For a power guy, his feet seem quicker than you’d often see from a player with this style. Not to say that he is super elusive in space, but it benefits him in more condensed areas. Davis can sidestep defenders to avoid a tackle, before making a quick cut to hit an open lane and head in a different direction. His good vision makes a big difference in these situations. Davis reads things well, and isn’t just running himself into traffic. Though he has some work to do as a blocker, his size gives him the potential to be good at it.
Weaknesses:
Davis has the quickness to create a bit more room for himself between the tackles. However, on a broader scale, he is an average to below average athlete. His speed is nothing special. Though he has the burst to get to the second level if a lane opens up for him, most defenders should be able to track him down before the play reaches catastrophic levels. While his ability to cut back is good between the tackles, Davis isn’t someone who will make people miss in the open field. His athletic limitations put a cap on what he can do as a runner, and also limit him as a pass catcher, as creating separation can be tough. Davis shows potential as a blocker, but needs to work on staying lower and playing with better leverage.
Summary:
Davis projects as a 2 down power back at the next level. He runs hard and his agility and burst in the condensed space between the tackles is good enough to suit his style. I don’t expect him to contribute much as a pass catcher, but if he can improve in pass protection, he could see some action on passing downs.
| Grade: 58.6 | Round Grade: 7th |
17
Will Shipley
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
Shipley brings the ability to make plays out of the backfield as a pass catcher. His hands are soft enough to corral passes away from his frame before then turning upfield. He has good straight line speed, allowing him to quickly eat up open space sitting in front of him. Shipley is also someone who can be flexed out into the slot from time to time and have success.
Weaknesses:
Shipley has a lean frame, and lacks the mass and strength to play between the tackles. He gets brought down pretty easily, and doesn’t have the ability to fight through contact. Shipley has good speed, but lacks the twitch that you would like from a passing back. He is a one-cut runner, but even, at times, struggles to maintain his balance when making cuts. As well, his field vision is pretty basic. He lacks the creativity and twitch to create for himself when he is enclosed in tighter areas. Shipley shows willingness as a blocker, but at this point, lacks the strength to make much of an impact.
Summary:
Shipley projects as a passing back at the next level. However, his struggles as a blocker may cause coaches to hesitate when considering him for 3rd down snaps. He doesn’t offer much between the tackles, but his speed and soft hands could allow him to get some scripted plays and manufactured touches. Shipley could also end up being flexed into the slot on some plays. Overall, his skill set is limited, but he is someone that could potentially fill a niche role in the NFL.
| Grade: 56.6 | Round Grade: 7th |
18
Braelon Allen
School: Wisconsin
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 235 lbs
Strengths:
Allen’s game begins and ends with his size and strength. He is a tough runner who effectively uses his size when running between the tackles. Allen is an irritating player to bring down, and he can bounce right off of tackles and keep on moving forward. His vision is pretty solid for the style that he plays. It is a simple game, but he can get to the line and get going when his lane has opened up. Allen is an ideal candidate to get goalline carries, where he can plunge his way forward into the endzone. With his size and strength, he is someone who can develop into a good pass protector.
Weaknesses:
Allen fails to stand out as an athlete, both in terms of quickness and speed. With a big frame and below average athletic traits, he is forced to play a simple game, which is based on fighting through contact between the tackles. You won’t see many homerun kind of plays from Allen, as most defenders should have no trouble tracking him down if he ever does get loose. He lacks the quickness to get open consistently as a pass catcher, and his current struggles as a blocker put him at risk of being a one dimensional 2 down bruiser. For a bigger guy, he had more trouble protecting the ball than I would have liked to see.
Summary:
Allen projects as a 2 down power back at the next level. He lacks the speed to go for chunk gains, and doesn’t have the agility to create on his own, or contribute much in the passing game. Allen plays a simple game and should mainly be tasked with running between the tackles, considering how big he is, and how hard it is for tacklers to get him down. He has potential as a pass blocker, but will need to make improvements in order to remain in the conversation on 3rd downs. Overall, his style isn’t for me, personally, as I feel it doesn’t fit with the way the game is played today. But I could see a team liking him later on day 3 of the draft.
| Grade: 55.0 | Round Grade: 7th |
19
Dylan Laube
School: New Hampshire
Ht/Wt: 5’1”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
Laube is a player who possesses quick feet, showcasing the ability to cut on a dime and open up some space for himself. His best work comes as a pass catcher, much of it out of the slot. In fact, I think he was at his best out of the slot, somewhat reminiscent of Rex Burkhead’s early days on the Bengals. His quick feet allow him to create separation early in the play, and he adds an element of deceptiveness to his route running through head fakes and shoulder drops. As a runner, his patience is noticeable, and he follows his blocks closely before accelerating through the running lane as it opens up.
Weaknesses:
Outside of his quickness and lateral agility, I’d say Laube is lacking in almost every other trait. He doesn’t have the frame to run with consistency between the tackles, and he doesn’t have the speed to rip off bigger runs. On some of his outside runs, he looked a bit sluggish. Ball protection has also been a bit of an issue at times. Laube’s quick feet allow him to make timely adjustments to oncoming blitzers, but he’ll need to improve his technique and get stronger to increase his effectiveness. As a small school prospect, he will be facing a bigger step up in competition.
Summary:
Laube is lacking the speed and size to be a complete player at the RB position. At the next level, he projects as a receiving back, where his quick feet and vision should allow him to have some success. Laube can catch out of the backfield or be split out onto the slot. His experience returning kicks also adds a little value.
| Grade: 54.2 | Round Grade: UDFA |
20
Frank Gore Jr.
School: Southern Mississippi
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 201 lbs
Strengths:
Gore Jr. is small, but has a strong build. In a lot of ways, he runs similar to his dad, legendary former RB Frank Gore. Though he isn’t as big as his dad, Gore Jr. plays with good contact balance, often keeping plays alive beyond first contact. His style is reminiscent of that of a bruiser, but his quickness in short areas is pretty solid. He utilizes subtle stutters and can make sharp enough cuts to open up space for himself, in some cases. Gore Jr’s vision is good, overall. His offensive line didn’t do him a ton of favours, but he still managed to find running lanes. Patience helped him a lot. Gore Jr. can also make basic contributions as a receiver out of the backfield. He isn’t someone I’d be flexing into the slot, but screen passes are something he can handle.
Weaknesses:
Gore Jr. plays the game with power, and likes to get low and take on contact. However, his smaller frame may make this style a bit tougher to sustain at the NFL level. As well, while he does have some quickness to his game, his overall athletic traits are underwhelming. LB’s should be able to track him down on runs to the outside, and when he does happen to break loose beyond 10 yards, he won’t be outrunning opponents very often. Gore Jr. has shown some flashes in pass protection, but could improve his technique. His size, however, will prevent some challenges for him, independent of any technical improvements.
Summary:
Gore Jr. doesn’t stand out with size or athleticism, but he plays a tough game, and offers just enough as a pass catcher to provide a little versatility at the next level. The traits aren’t there to start, and even earning a RB2 job will be tough. That said, his history of handling a big workload, and his willingness to play downhill could be enough to earn him a depth role as an RB3 who can contribute in a pinch.
| Grade: 53.1 | Round Grade: UDFA |
21
Cody Schrader
School: Missouri
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 202 lbs
Strengths:
Schrader is a smaller back, but has a compact build that allows him to run with some power. He is able to fight through tackles when running up the gut, and can still power his way forward for a little extra when he is being brought to the ground. Schrader is a high effort player who is able to work for a little more than his measurables would lead you to believe. He reads the field well too, which helps him maximize his output on most runs. Schrader is pretty solid in pass protection, which will help his case to see the field on passing downs.
Weaknesses:
Despite his strong build’s Schrader’s size will make it tougher to succeed with his style at the next level. And while his vision would allow him to have a little success on outside runs, he lacks the speed, agility, and explosiveness to consistently play a game that expands outside the OT’s. His lack of measurables will limit big plays, and make him unlikely to contribute much as a pass catcher, beyond maybe the odd checkdown.
Summary:
Schrader is a well built back with some ability to play a game that revolves around power. However, he is undersized, which will cause him to enter the league with question marks. His athletic limitations will prevent him from making a style change at the next level, and force him to make due with what he’s got. The measurables work against him, but he is a hard worker, tough runner, and good in pass protection, which could see him earn a back-end roster spot in the offseason.
| Grade: 50.8 | Round Grade: UDFA |
RB Rankings:
- Jaylen Wright (79.5, Rd 3)
- Trey Benson (79.2, Rd 3)
- Jonathon Brooks (78.3, Rd 3)
- MarShawn Lloyd (74.3, Rd 4)
- Rasheen Ali (73.3, Rd 4)
- Keilan Robinson (71.0, Rd 4)
- Tyrone Tracy (70.0, Rd 4)
- Austin Jones (69.2, Rd 5)
- Blake Corum (68.0, Rd 5)
- Isaac Guerendo (67.5, Rd 5)
- Ray Davis (66.9, Rd 5)
- Audric Estimé (65.2, Rd 5)
- Kendall Milton (61.9, Rd 6)
- Jaden Shirden (60.0, Rd 6)
- Jase McClellan (59.4, Rd 7)
- Isaiah Davis (58.6, Rd 7)
- Will Shipley (56.6, Rd 7)
- Braelon Allen (55.0, Rd 7)
- Dylan Laube (54,2, UDFA)
- Frank Gore Jr. (53.1, UDFA)
- Cody Schrader (50.8, UDFA)
Notables Not Graded:
- George Holani
- Emani Bailey
- Bucky Irving
- Kimani Vidal
- Daijun Edwards
- Dillon Johnson
- Miyan Williams
- Michael Wiley
