Going into this draft, there were few landing spots that we expected would be beneficial for any RB. After the draft, however, I have plenty of optimism for most of these players. Even Kenneth Walker III, who I was low on pre-draft and who I expected to drop in the draft, is someone I can’t bring myself to bet against.
The top tier of Backs from this class that will come in and command a big workload is nearly non-existent. There are no sure things in this class, but there are no huge fallers either.
All Selections
- Breece Hall – Jets – Round 2 Pick 36 – Many expected Breece Hall to go in the first, and while he went in the 2nd, the rumors that the Jets wanted to trade up into the 1st to get him, and then the fact that they traded up in the 2nd for him, garners plenty of confidence in his workload. He should be the lead RB for the Jets, even if Michael Carter steals some 3rd-down reps.
- Kenneth Walker III – Seahawks – Round 2 Pick 41 – I expected Kenneth Walker III to drop in the draft due to concerns regarding his 3rd-down role. Not only did a team invest heavy draft capital to get him, but he gets drafted by a team that insists on running the ball, that also lacks any backfield leader.
- James Cook – Bills – Round 2 Pick 63 – Despite what most people think, I don’t think adding another undersized receiving back to this offense is the piece this offense was missing. Additionally, I don’t think that style will be particularly dominant either.
- Rachaad White – Buccaneers – Round 3 – As much as I love Rachaad White, the landing spot isn’t ideal. At his age, he’s someone who should be utilized right away. With Leonard Fournette still there, I don’t see White seizing this backfield just yet, and if he can’t become the lead back until his age-25 season, and after Brady is gone, I don’t have high hopes for him.
- Tyrion Davis-Price – 49ers – Round 3 – Tyrion Davis-Price was one of the more confusing picks of the draft. After hitting on Elijah Mitchell last year, and still having Trey Sermon on the roster, the 49ers had no reason to invest so heavily in TDP. Moreover, according to nearly every Big Board out there, he wasn’t anywhere near the next best RB at the time.
- Brian Robinson Jr. – Commanders – Round 3 – This pick spells huge trouble for Antonio Gibson, despite not being such an endorsement of Robinson. I don’t see him becoming the RB1 in this offense, but he will definitely take work away from Gibson.
- Dameon Pierce – Texans – Round 4 – I want to be higher on Pierce, especially given his talent and the lack of competition for carries on the Texans. Unfortunately, the terrible O-Line in front of him, the fact that they will usually be trailing, and his poor draft capital are concerns.
- Zamir White – Raiders – Round 4 – With Josh Jacobs being continuously average, and the Raiders not picking up his 5th-year option, White could be the lead back sooner than we think.
- Isaiah Spiller – Chargers – Round 4 – Austin Ekeler has handled a massive and unsustainable workload. He is exceptionally efficient, but he isn’t iron-man. The Chargers’ backfield depth has disappointed over and over. I expect Spiller to come in and immediately earn early-down work.
- Pierre Strong Jr. – Patriots – Round 4 – With so many established Running Backs already there, I see no path to the field for Strong.
- Hassan Haskins – Titans – Round 4 – Haskins could be the sneaky explosion of this draft. I love his potential, and I like his chances of coming out of nowhere and being the late-round RB selection that stuns the league.
- Tyler Allgeier – Falcons – Round 5 – Going in the 5th round doesn’t inspire much confidence in a player’s production, but on a team with practically no competition for backfield touches, Allgeier has a chance to slide into a starting role.
- Snoop Conner – Jaguars – Round 5 – This pick is mostly irrelevant. With other talented runners on a team that projects to be trailing in most games, paired with Conner’s small stature and ineffectiveness in the passing game, I don’t see this pick ever amounting to anything.
- Jerome Ford – Browns – Round 5 – The Browns are notorious for taking backup Running Backs and turning them into good players. I liked Ford pre-draft, but in a crowded backfield, he’ll need to wait his turn, to say the least.
- Kyren Williams – Rams – Round 5 – Many have veered away from Williams completely after the Combine, but in a backfield with a still-healing Cam Akers, and an average Darrell Henderson, Williams’ elite 3rd down abilities could get him plenty of touches.
- Ty Chandler – Vikings – Round 5 – At best, he splits backup duties with Alexander Mattison. Although Dalvin Cook is getting older, I don’t expect this team to sit pat, rather I’m sure they will find their replacement for Cook in another star RB. The backups on this team won’t slide into the prominent starting role.
- Kevin Harris – Patriots – Round 6 – As a player who was turning some heads as a potential sleeper, I couldn’t be more disappointed with the landing spot. The best case scenario – Harris gets cut and signed by a team with less competition.
- Tyler Badie – Ravens – Round 6 – It’s possible Badie can earn touches on 3rd downs as a satellite-type back, but this is more of a depth pick than anything.
- Keaontay Ingram – Cardinals – Round 6 – Don’t sleep on Keaontay Ingram’s role here. He is the clear backup to an oft-injured RB on a team that doesn’t shy away from running the ball. An injury would need to occur, but Ingram has a long shot to be a starter on a great offense.
- Trestan Ebner – Bears – Round 6 – Another irrelevant pick, this is purely a depth selection.
- Brittain Brown – Raiders – Round 7 – Another irrelevant pick, this is purely a depth selection. In a crowded backfield, I expect him to get cut before the season.
- Isaih Pacheco – Chiefs – Round 7 – Pacheco is one of my favorite sleepers in this class. He showed great size & speed pre-draft, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Andy Reid falls in love with his abilities.
Post-Draft Top 10
- Breece Hall NYJ – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Dameon Pierce HOU – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Rachaad White TB – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Hassan Haskins TEN – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Isaiah Spiller LAC – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- James Cook BUF – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Tyler Allgeier ATL – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Kenneth Walker III SEA – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Zamir White LV – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Isaih Pacheco KC
- Brian Robinson Jr. WAS – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Kyren Williams LAR – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Jerome Ford CLE – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Keaontay Ingram ARI – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
- Pierre Strong Jr. NE – Pre-Draft Scouting Report
Superlatives
Best Landing Spot – Hassan Haskins TEN
Haskins possesses power to his game that few other runners can muster up. Who better to sit behind than the powerful and dominating Derrick Henry. Henry is 28 and coming off a ridiculous workload followed by injury. The team also has no other reliable backup RB. Haskins could step in immediately to take some of the load off Henry, and I expect him to start eating into that load sooner rather than later.
Worst Landing Spot – Pierre Strong Jr. & Kevin Harris NE
This was already a confusing backfield pre-draft, but now throw in these two rookies and it’s even more frustrating to understand. Additionally, these two rookies were selected late in the draft. I’d be surprised if either gets cut pre-season, meaning we are looking at a 4-headed backfield with no clear leader. It’s possible neither of these players ever gets enough carries to establish themselves in the pros.
Safest Floor – Breece Hall NYJ
With talent, college pedigree, and elite athleticism, Breece Hall is one of the safest prospects in this class. He may not be the flashy superstar, but he will get the job done efficiently. With the capital invested in him, he is guaranteed a workload as well.
Highest Ceiling – Hassan Haskins TEN
As mentioned, I expect Haskins to start getting a larger workload as the season progresses. If Henry can’t stay healthy or loses a step, there’s no one in this class with a clearer path to carries, and on a team that is tailor-made to fit his talents.
Most Intriguing Sleepers – Kyren Williams LAR & Isaih Pacheco KC
Williams is one of the most underrated runners in this class. He gets a ton of hate for his poor Combine, but his talents and tape speak for themselves. I wouldn’t count him out too quickly, and if Cam Akers can’t get it rolling post-injury, I expect Williams to wiggle his way into some work.
Pacheco goes to a high-powered offense, clearly looking to become more balanced and slow-paced. The Chiefs improved their defense, and the backfield is completely devoid of talent. I don’t see any reason why Pacheco can’t step right into the starting role. Clyde Edwards-Helaire doesn’t concern me one bit.
Undrafted Gem – Kennedy Brooks PHI
In an uninspiring backfield like the Eagles, any RB coming in could carve himself a role. It won’t be simple, as there are plenty of good RBs on this team, but if Brooks manages to display talent, he could work his way into the committee.
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