4/13/22

One of the best aspects of football is seeing how different types of players can play, and be successful, at the same position. You could argue that RB is one of the positions where this is most evident. I am always fascinated by how coaches use the RBs on their respective rosters to impact the game in different ways. I am also a firm believer in offensive balance in the NFL, and while it’s not necessarily crucial to have a 50/50 run/pass ratio, it is crucial to be able to have tantamount success when either running or passing. That is why such a high value is placed on the RB position. While this year’s draft isn’t the best or deepest RB draft, there is still good quality.

1. Breece Hall (Iowa State)
Elite RB who is by far the best in this year’s class. Eye popping statistics, compiling 41 rushing TDs in the last two years. 41!!! Also rushed for over 1,400 yards in each of the last two seasons, and totaled 3,941 career rushing yards in just three years with the Cyclones. Broke an FBS record for most consecutive games with a rushing TD (24) – a record that stood since 1970!! Needless to say, that type of production is almost unheard of in contemporary college football. Solid build at 6’1, 220lbs. Has a nose for the endzone and is very difficult to stop in low redzone/goal-to-go situations, as he always seems to hit the right crease at the right time. Does not have game breaking speed, but is certainly fast enough to outrun most defenders. Has a good feel for both zone and gap schemes. Shows great vision, with many of his long runs cutting across the field. Deceptively elusive and is excellent at making defenders miss in the open field. Makes his cuts with ease. Has a nasty spin move. Decent receiver, although he was not utilized a ton in the pass game. Most likely will be a day 1 starter his rookie year in the league.

2. Kenneth Walker (Michigan State)
Had a breakout junior year after transferring from Wake Forest, putting up 1,636 rushing yards and 18 TDs. Powerfully built at 5’10, 210 lbs. Shows pretty good initial burst but only has decent speed, often getting caught from behind. Great change of direction and balance. Runs hard and rarely gets tackled by the first defender he encounters. Shows high IQ and patience, allowing blocks to develop or defenders to shoot inside gaps before bouncing to the outside. Not the best receiver, only totaling 19 catches in three seasons for just over 100 yards. Can potentially be a RB2 at the next level, but will need to continue to develop as a receiver to demand more playing time.

3. Brian Robinson (Alabama)
Played at Alabama for 5 years, an oddity in today’s world with the advent of the transfer portal, and waited his turn behind a bevy of more talented RBs before finally becoming the starter in 2021. Robinson was a true workhorse back in his final season and his production against SEC defenses week in and week out was impressive. However, compared to other RB’s in this years class, I feel his value is being somewhat downplayed and overlooked. He has great size for an NFL RB and is an extremely tough runner. Defenders who try to meet him in the hole are in for a rude awakening. Not a true make-you-miss type of back, but can make subtle cuts to leave defenders grasping at air. Needs to be careful of trailing defenders in the open field, as he tends to carry the ball low and away from his body when he breaks into the secondary. I think he can carve out an early role though as a short yardage/goal line RB.

4. Rachaad White (Arizona State)
Extremely elusive, by far the shiftiest back in this years class. Love his jump cut, which he utilizes often, occasionally several times in the same play. Excellent feet and short area quickness. Also showed willingness, at times, to lower his shoulder in short yardage situations. Tends to hurdle defenders too much in my opinion and will need to learn how to finish runs by putting his pads down and initiating contact with defenders. White can be a dangerous weapon in the passing game so it’s likely he’ll be pigeonholed into a third down back role, however he’ll definitely need to improve his pass protection at the next level.

5. James Cook (Georgia)
Never really had elite stats due to playing a niche role in a loaded backfield at Georgia, but is a scat back with really good speed. An excellent receiver, linebackers simply cannot defend him in the pass game. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being used more as a WR rather than RB in the NFL. With a little development in running routes, this shifty baller fits the mold as of future slot receiver. It’ll be interesting to see how his career pans out if he is used in more of a traditional RB role, as he currently does not have the build to take that type of punishment for a full season in the NFL.

Others to know:
Abram Smith (Baylor)

Hassan Haskins (Michigan)

Zonovan Knight (NC State)

Cam’Ron Harris (Miami)

Tyler Goodson (Iowa)

4/11/22

This is one of the weaker QB draft classes in recent memory, as there isn’t one guy that is the clear cut QB1. Some teams may be better served waiting until next year, which will be a much stronger QB class, but it’s inevitable that teams will reach for a QB every year. Some of these guys have certain traits that can translate well to the NFL level, but none of these guys have a complete skill set in my opinion.

1. Matt Corral (Ole Miss)
Demonstrates ability to complete different types of throws – puts nice touch on the deep ball and can also throw a dart when needed. Values the ball, with a 20/5 TD/Int ratio in 2021, a necessity at the next level. Completed 68% of his passes in his final year. Will be very interesting to see if he can adapt to a more traditional pro style scheme, with more of a progression based system and full field reads, and maintain the same level of production. Does not have ideal size for a QB, standing at a whopping 6’0 tall. An ideal situation for him may be to go to a team that runs more of a hybrid scheme, so that passing lanes are more easily available. He’s a competitor that shows very good athleticism on called QB runs and scrambles, rushing for just over 600 years and 11 TDs in his final season. Good feel for QB draw play and is able to make defenders miss in the hole, also lowered his shoulder at times to get into the endzone. It is my belief that he should have returned to school for another year to fine tune his game.

2. Kenny Pickett (Pitt)
Possesses more of a prototypical size for an NFL QB, at 6’3, 220 lbs. Has a strong arm and threw a lot of deep passes during his career, especially his final season. This is one reason for his passing statistics in 2021 – 4,319 yards and 42 TDs. Played in a pro style system under offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. Shows pretty good pocket presence, avoiding defenders and often escapes the pocket to make plays with his arm, not his legs, although he is a very good runner. on the downside, he owns a history of injuries as well as a propensity for turning the ball over, recording 7+ interceptions each of his final three seasons as the starter. Am not a fan of him using gloves on both hands in every game either… can you say bust??

3. Malik Willis (Liberty)
Highly recruited coming out of high school and originally signed with Auburn, before leaving for greener pastures at Liberty. Amassed 47 TD passes and 18 interceptions in two years as the starter at Liberty. His interception numbers are somewhat alarming, especially for playing in a spread offense, where theoretically, there are less interceptions to be had, considering the number of defenders around the ball on a given play. Had a decent, not great completion percentage in his final year, at 61%. Did not play against elite competition week in and week out at Liberty, so will need to quickly adjust to the defensive speed in the NFL. Will also need to show the ability to grasp an NFL playbook and read more complex defenses. This is another player I believe should have returned for another year to continue to improve as a passer. Contrarily, he is an elite runner. Totaled over 1,800 rushing yards and 27 rushing TDs in his short time at Liberty. Obviously any team that drafts him will not want him to run anywhere near that much, but can do so if needed. He is a developmental QB and should not be starting for any team for at least his first year or so in the league.

4. Sam Howell (North Carolina)
The once presumed 1st overall pick of this year’s draft, Howell’s stock has plummeted due to inconsistent play and losses piling up. Sure, he threw for 3,000+ yards in each of his three seasons as the starter, but passing numbers were way down in his final season – throwing for 500 yards less and 6 TDs less than the previous year. In my opinion, he is the best deep ball thrower in this year’s draft, but is another QB that does not have ideal size for the NFL. Howell ran a predominantly RPO based offense, which lead to many of his TD passes being explosive plays. Low usage of the RPO at the next level will force him to have to read fronts & coverages in straight drop back pass game/traditional play action game much more so. This means defenses will get a better read on him as well. All said aside, he’s a great runner – showing both speed and toughness – rushing for 17 TDs in his career, with 11 of those coming last year.

5. Carson Strong (Nevada)
Excellent size coming in at 6’4, 215 lbs. Played against lower level competition at Nevada, but was dominant, especially in his final season. Passing statistics improved each year of his career, which is always what you want to see out of a QB. Did take snaps under center, an almost lost art at the college level with the advent of the spread offense, which to me is a subtle yet important nuance. Has a cannon for an arm, rips throws effortlessly, and shows the ability to be accurate while defenders are bearing down on him. Of all the QBs in this year’s draft, he may have the most upside. Could develop into a starter after sitting for a few years.

Others to know:
Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)

Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky)

Jack Coan (Notre Dame)