Rizzla takes a look at six rookie running back prospects to monitor ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft and combine.
With the finals about to start the majority of dynasty league owners are already looking towards next season and the upcoming rookie draft.
There is good news, as of now, pundits are calling this draft class a weak one, especially at the running back position. I am here to tell you that this is not true at all, in fact, this may be one of the deeper running back classes we have seen in years. It is true that there is no truly elite prospect like Saquon Barkley and that none of these names truly stand out from other similarly rated backs but the fact of the matter is there are more than twelve running backs that could step on to an NFL field today and be the most talented running back on many teams depth charts.
Until the general consensus on this draft class changes rookie draft picks could come at a discount, so start wheeling and dealing to your hearts content.
This week we will take at six more running backs to monitor ahead of the NFL combine.
Last week we took a look at David Montgomery, Devin Singletary, Rodney Anderson, Damien Harris, Bryce Love and Justice Hill and this week we will take a look at some other names that look to have NFL starter potential.
Darrell Henderson
Darrell Henderson is arguably most exciting running back in this entire draft class. His tape wows and screams great back at the NFL level. Henderson is a big play threat with open field ability that is among the best in the class who also shows elite tackle breaking ability. Henderson’s elite level tackle breaking ability is evidenced by his 0.26 missed tackles per attempt for a total of 53 missed tackles forced and an insane 1151 yards after contact. With fifty explosive runs on the season Henderson managed 8.6 yards per carry and 6.2 yards after contact routinely showing off what looks like the best instincts in the class. Henderson has good speed and forward lean and pairs his excellent vision with great cutting ability. Henderson’s tape is reminiscent of Aaron Jones as a runner but he also displays natural hands and elite receiving ability as is supported by his 1.67 yards per route run. Henderson like Jones is a 5’9, 200 lbs running back that shows good balance thanks to a solid base. Henderson is powerful compact runner who possesses a getaway gear and top level patience which he pairs with an innate feel of how to develop blocks. Henderson could be a workhorse at the next level and could very handily steal a RB2’s job out of the preseason. Henderson could easily force his way into the RB1 conversation depending on where he lands and due to his predisposition to dominating in space, looks like he will quickly become one of the most exciting backs in the entire NFL.
Darrell Henderson’s numbers as a junior are as insane as a glimpse of his tape would have one believing they might be. Henderson flashes repeatedly on tape as a receiver despite seeing no more than 24 receptions in a season suggesting that Henderson was extremely under utilized in this aspect of the game at Memphis. Henderson is NFL ready but will be able to hit the ground running if he lands in a shotgun heavy scheme.
Benny Snell
Benny Snell is a hard hitting 5’11, 222 lbs power back who displays good vision and patience as well as the coveted move the pile ability which helps him to generate extra yardage after being wrapped up. Snell is an exciting runner who is effective as a wildcat runner and could be special when he fills out and develops a consistent mean streak. Snell more than some others on this list seems like his NFL future may be depth chart dependent. Snell would be a starter on some teams this year but still needs to run with better pad level and find a way to correct his penchant to run too upright at times.
Snell’s 1330 rushing yards included an eye popping 829 yards after contact (62.3 percent) and 39 avoided tackles suggesting that his monstrous yards after contact ability that shows up on tape translates numbers wise. Though he saw limited usage as receiver he saw his reception total rise yearly. Snell has the skill set to flourish in right system and offense if he is given a lead back, three down role.
LJ Scott
LJ Scott is a bigger back at 6’1, 229 lbs who hits the hole hard and shows solid power. Scott possesses good patience and vision and displays a good feel for cutback lanes. Despite his size Scott displays solid shiftiness and would be a great fit in a power or zone blocking scheme. Scott was an impressive runner when he was on the field and showed explosion with 63 runs over ten yards in his career. Scott also showed an ability to make people miss as evidenced by his 113 missed tackles forced and 1902 yards after contact, numbers which suggest Scott will have a solid career at the next level as long as he can keep his yards per carry up. If Scott lands on the right team he could become an instant workhorse while there are other scenarios where he becomes one of the most talented backups in the NFL and one who could start for several teams.
Scott suffered an ankle injury in his senior season which held him to just four regular season games. Scott showed well as a receiver in his junior season and one can project that he would have had an even bigger season in that department as a senior though he will still have to show and prove during the combine and workouts in order to secure his draft stock.
Elijah Holyfield
In what seems like a storyline straight of the Madden video game, Elijah Holyfield is the son of former undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world Evander ‘Real Deal’ Holyfield. Evander’s son is a powerful, 5’11, 215 lbs decisive jump cut runner with good feet and balance. Holyfield has all the traits one covets from a runner at the next level as he is blessed with good burst and vision and has both move the pile ability and the ability to make defenders miss as evidenced by his 28 avoided tackles and 616 yards after contact (4.1 yards after contact per carry).
Holyfield has limited experience as a receiver as D’Andre Swift saw more targets both this season and last; a season Holyfield also had to contend with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Elijah will have to prove he can be effective in this area to carve out an every down role in the NFL but at this point there is no reason to suspect he will not boast at least passable hands. Conversely, Holyfield could form a terrific committee with a back with better hands but of course that type of deployment scheme runs the risk of tipping their hand to opposing defenses whenever he enters the game as is often the case with other tandem backs.
Karan Higdon
Karan Higdon looks the part of an NFL feature back as he boasts great vision, good burst and patience as well as good cutting ability. The 5’10, 202 lbs Higdon moves well in the open field and has displayed solid tackle breaking ability as well as the soft hands needed to become a fantasy force at the next level. Higdon does not have as much hype as some of the other running backs we have profiled so far but he is a sleeper who could cause serious fantasy headaches if he lands as a supposed workhorses number two.
Higdon saw limited work as a receiver based on his numbers but still managed to flash on tape when given the opportunity. Teammate and fellow future NFL draft prospect Chris Evans saw more work in the passing game the last two years but that could be as much about getting a second talented running back on the field as it is about Higdon’s NFL readiness in that area.
Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs is a 5’10, 216 lbs hard hitting power back with a good base and top level cutting ability. Jacobs is elite in space which when coupled with his excellent hands suggests he could become a PPR dynamo at the next level. Jacobs has the build and skill set for an every down role and could be an instant RB2 if he lands on the right depth chart. Blessed with plus vision and elite return game skills, Jacobs is likely to be active on game days even if he lands on a crowded depth chart, increasing the likelihood he breaks out sooner than later.
Jacobs saw limited touches and receptions due to the plethora of NFL talent in Alabama’s backfield but his tape jumps out as he displays both good hands and top level ability in the running game.
Bonus:
Miles Sanders
Miles Sanders has prototypical running back size at 5’11, 215 lbs and could find success at the next level as a runner with solid vision and a good feel for cutback lanes which he utilizes to find a hole and accelerate. You can tell from his tape that he made the most of his years as Saquon Barkley’s understudy as he is a patient cutback runner who could be a yards after contact monster in the NFL. Sanders shows solid power and strong base which helps his move the pile the ability. Sanders profiles as someone with RB2 upside in the Marlon Mack mold as a back who projects as a committee back but could have success if he is the best runner on the depth chart of a good team.
Miles Sanders posted a rock solid season as both a receiver and runner with Saquon Barkley gone to the NFL and profiles as a back who will be competent as both a receiver out of the backfield and in pass protection.
