2016 NFL Draft RB Top Ten : Also FB Top Five

This year’s crop of RBs much like the QB is deep, but unlike the quarterback position there’s upside here. In fact there is quite a bit to like in this year’s class. In my top ten I have two players I think can make an impact immediately, three more I think have a chance to start in the right situation, three more that will be hammers in a tandem early in their careers, a former WR with monster upside, and a receiving back that will be a joy to watch in return game and has more upside to be a complete back than given credit for.

Overall	Player	Team	Ht	Wt	Role	Grade
15	Elliott, Ezekiel	Ohio State	71.75	225	Starter	7.6
47	Henry, Derrick	Alabama	74.5	247	Starter	7.1
52	Dixon, Kenneth	Louisiana Tech	70.5	222	Eventual Starter	7.0
66	Prosise, C.J.	Notre Dame	72.5	220	Eventual Starter	6.8
74	Perkins, Paul	UCLA	70.375	208	Eventual Starter	6.7
81	Booker, Devontae	Utah	70.75	219	Eventual Starter	6.6
88	Collins, Alex	Arkansas	70	217	Eventual Starter	6.5
102	Howard, Jordan	Indiana	71.875	230	Eventual Starter	6.3
107	Williams, Jonathan (2014)	Arkansas	71	220	Eventual Starter	6.2
114	Ervin, Tyler	San Jose State	70	192	Eventual Starter	6.1

Let’s start with the cream, it rises and the man at the top is the feisty runner out of Ohio State, Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott was underused at times by Ohio State and likely as a detriment to the team and their overall success. Elliott has everything you’d want from a feature back, the ability to make himself small in a hole, the speed to get the edge, receiving skills, and a willingness and understanding of blocking. I have him a step behind Gurley in talent but that’s less a knock on Elliott than it is a statement of just how talented Gurley is. Behind Elliott and my other back I think will be a factor for a starting spot day one is Heisman winner Derrick Henry from Alabama. Henry is a big back with a downhill running style, who runs high, and doesn’t turn the corner with consistency which is a problem if you put him in a system that requires him to bend and even then he should be serviceable. If put in a downhill system he will be the bane of existence for second and third level players because he’s a god damn battering ram, with 4.54 speed at near 250 lbs. I mean that’s insane as was his short shuttle (a drill where you go five yards one direction, stop go back 10 yards and then return to the middle) which at 4.38 was faster than Prosise who is 30 pounds lighter. He has his flaws but as long as you don’t try to make him what he isn’t he’s gonna beast. Kenneth Dixon is next up and was just off of my starters group and it comes down to a slight level of competition problem. Which is to say it’s probably a “me” problem. If you need an introduction to Dixon this RSP Film Room with Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) & Dan Hatman (@Dan_Hatman) is a great place to start. Dixon was on a La Tech team that had troubles against Power Five teams but Dixon showed all the traits you want, and didn’t make a habit of trying to beat players to the edge all the time. Dixon is going to be good, I just think it takes a year or two. Behind Dixon is a mini-tier of backs that all have different skill sets. C.J. Prosise is a work in progress. The former wideout at Notre Dame was moved to RB because of injuries and flashed a very interesting skill set. Athletically he is a top prospect, but he still needs to learn the nuances of the position and sure up his blocking. If he continues to grow like he did throughout this past season he has a chance to be a very productive NFL running back. Perkins is one of my favorites who does everything well and is more explosive on tape than his test scores say he should be. He’s tough to bring down and a good pass catcher. I think he needs to work on his running between the tackles and his blocking but he’s a kid I have high hopes for in the long run. Now for a player with the opposite problems as Perkins. Booker is a big bodied back with plenty of power and enough speed to be a factor. Booker was the rock on which the Utah offense was built as the team was racked with QB troubles (both injury & talent). If it weren’t for a litany of injuries and the fact he wasn’t able to put in full workouts I’m dropped him just a little bit. Alex Collins is part of a pair of Arkansas backs that were very good in a system that featured them. Collins is a strong runner who is a predominantly straight line player but with enough wiggle to make him an option for just about everybody. He doesn’t have that second or third gear but he works hard and is going to be a very consistent performer for somebody. The last three backs in my top ten are an interesting medley of talents. Jordan Howard is a downhill battering ram that has a very specific role that he is very, very good at. He has a wide range but if someone has a role open for him you’ll see him gone by the fourth round. Jonathan Williams has the talent to be much higher than this but he missed the entirety of the 2015 season with a foot injury which is certainly a concern, but in 2014 he had nearly 1200 yards rushing and a dozen touchdowns. If completely healthy and healed Williams is a Dixon level talent. Lastly, my favorite prospect of this draft Tyler Ervin. An undersized back from San Jose State, Ervin is being pegged as a receiving back/return specialist. For me I think he can be a feature back much like I did with Abdullah last season. On his tape, even at the 175 that he played at he was able to fall forward after first contact even against an FBS defense like Auburn. Yes you see him get stonewalled and I’m hedging a bit, with my grade, on his size but I saw enough over multiple games to think he isn’t just a back that gets stood up when hit. That all being said, an extra almost 20 pounds should certainly help all of that.

To summarize I really like this set of running backs and with an exciting class on the horizon I think there may be some steals available late in this draft. Overall it’s a deep draft and has good talent up top, with names you need to know.

Add-on here are my top five fullbacks. I don’t have much to say about them, but it’s pretty alright crop.

Overall	Player	Team	Ht	Wt	Role	Grade
67	Vitale, Dan	Northwestern	72.875	239	Starter	7.2
136	Gronkowski, Glenn	Kansas State	74.125	239	Eventual Starter	6.3
163	Vainuku, Soma	USC	71.5	246	Eventual Starter	6.1
248	Watt, Derek	Wisconsin	74	236	Potential Starter	5.7
314	Kerridge, Joe	Michigan	72	245	Potential Starter	5.4