Running Backs Worth Drafting

Running Backs that are Worth their Draft Spots

The two types of RBs in the list are shifty guys without much explosion and explosive guys without much shiftiness. I think the first type will do better in the NFL behind average offensive lines. The others could do great behind great offensive lines. The two running backs that I’d be most likely to draft are Miles Sanders in the second and Devin Singletary in the fifth. I don’t love any of the RBs this year compared to other years though. 

Miles Sanders, Penn State 5’11” 211: Round 2 – Sanders has only one year of production because he played behind Saquon Barkley (Greatest running back prospect of all time, who proved it in his rookie year). Sanders had a reasonable six yard average and tested very well at the combine in the shuttle and three cone drills. He shows on tape that he has good balance and shiftiness to make people miss and stay on his feet. He also has good power in his leg drive. He doesn’t have great explosiveness or top speed, but he’s more likely to succeed than someone like Darrell Henderson who does have those attributes, but isn’t as shifty.

Devin Singletary Florida Atlantic 5’7” 203: Round 5 – I really like Singletary for the fifth round. He scored many touchdowns because he’s great in short yardage situations. He knows how to make people miss with his cutting ability and start stop ability. He also shows some power in his compact frame. I wish he was more explosive, but there doesn’t seem to be a RB this year that is both shifty and explosive. He played at a smaller school, which is potentially worrisome since the competition is less.

Bryce Love, Stanford 5’9” 200: Round 4/5 Love has an amazing average per carry before getting injured. I’d only consider him in these mid to later rounds because while he does have amazing acceleration and top speed, he doesn’t seem to make enough happen in short yardage situations, when he doesn’t have a hole to run though. He’s similar to Darrell Henderson in that regard. He also doesn’t seem to have much power. He’d be best as a receiving back.

Darrell Henderson Memphis 5’8” 208: Round 2/3 I probably wouldn’t draft Henderson in the second round, but maybe in the third and only if he’s going to run behind a great offensive line that opens up holes. He has okay power and can rip off huge runs when the hole is there. He’d also be good as a pass catching back. I think that he’ll fail if he has to make his own holes.

David Montgomery, Iowa State 5’10” 222: Round 2 – I’d like him more if he dropped. He’s a lot like other RBs in this class that can make people miss but don’t have explosiveness. I think he’ll do well in the NFL, but I don’t think he’ll be a top RB. I’d prefer to have him in the third round.

Dominick Bragalone, Lehigh 5’11” 230: Round 7/FA  - He’s from a smaller school, but looks to have the measurable to make an impact in the NFL. He ran a 4.44, had 31 reps, and a 10’3” broad jump. He has good cutting ability, especially for someone of his size and pretty good explosion and power too. He should pump his legs better when someone grabs them and he could break even more tackles. He is good at breaking most arm tackles though. He had three great years with over a thousand yards and a 5.6 yard per average until a poor senior year.

Khari Blasingame, Vanderbilt  6'0" 233: 7^th/FA, RB -  good speed and explosion, but doesn’t have good vision or moves. Great in pass protection. Could be a valuable asset in the passing game as a third down RB at a discount. Not great rushing stats, but good receiving stats. He had very good measurable.