2018 Running Back Class

Height and weight have to be scaled against body type/lean or there's no context. Barry Sanders was under 5'8" but he weighed around 220 for most of his career, which was ideal for his type of build. You can compare that to a Marshall Faulk type that weighed in at 210 with a height of 5'11", put that against his body type/lean and playing style to give some perspective.

Penny becoming Jacquizz is a fear that I think you can put to rest quickly. I don't see much similar in their build or playing style.

Penny's frame sits well with his height/weight and playing style. It lends towards him being able to become a threat in any phase of the game at the pro level.

 

Its interesting you brought up the EXACT 2 NFL players I was thinking about as a direct comparison. I knew Barry was under 5/10, and Penny looks like Marshall Faulk (SDSU too) in a lot of ways.

 

Oregon State's RB Ryan Nall has declared eligible for the NFL draft.

 

I would certainly say that Michel looked like the better back in the playoffs. As for their career body of work, I can't say for sure...but the last week of the season, he looked the part of feature back moreso than Chubb.


(edit) it's also both interesting and impressive that you were writing this back on October 12th!

 

Thanks.


I think Michel is definitely the more dynamic and creative runner. His showing against Alabama goes a long way towards making the argument that his game will translate well to the next level.

I think Nick Chubbs best comp might be Frank Gore, but like Frank his career may be defined by consistency and longevity.

Michel's game transfers better to multiple situations while I believe Nick's will be slightly more scheme dependent.

 

Added today -
Jaylen Samuels - N.C.State
Ito Smith - Southern Miss
Nyheim Hines - N.C. State
John Kelly - Tennessee
Darrell Williams - L.S.U.

Removed today -
L.J. Scott - Michigan State
Mike Weber - Ohio State


I have a couple more players on my list that I haven't finished getting scores in for the first two rounds that I will be adding in the near future.

The top end of this list will likely stay the same while the middle and the bottom will most likely shift some after the combine. There are times where big shake-ups happen near the top but that's usually the exception to the rule.


Some point differentials (top 15)

1. Saquon Barkley - Penn State
2. Derrius Guice - LSU - 17
   
3. Rashaad Penny - San Diego State - 31
   
4. Kalen Ballage - Arizona St. - 37
   
5. Chase Edmonds - Fordham - 39
   
6. Sony Michel - Georgia - 48
   
7. Ronald Jones II - U.S.C. - 52
   
8. Nick Chubb - Georgia - 57
   
9. Kerryon Johnson - Auburn - 61
   
10. Josh Adams - Notre Dame - 77
    
11. Mark Walton - Miami - 84
    
12. Damien Harris - Alabama - 86
    
13. Jaylen Samuels - N.C.State - 98
    
14. James Butler - Iowa - 107
    
15. Royce Freeman - Oregon - 124

 

Enjoy your rankings of RBs. Looking forward to a full updated list.

 

How goes it Harold?

The next update will probably be out before Wednesday. I'll be condensing it down to my top 20 rushers with their scores and how they rank.

 

Check out this guy I discovered and mocked to the Steelers...

Chase Edmonds, Fordham

 

Scores and ranks for the top 20 running backs is up -
https://live4sportnetwork.com/forum/threads/2018-running-back-class.10787/

 

I wonder what you do after Saquon Barkley is taken and you need a Back. Seems like a tough decision to make after him and things really drop off after the first 5 or so are gone.

Somewhere in there is another Kamara, but I sure as hell don't know who that would be after Barkley and to be honest, I don't know if even Barkley can be another Kamara. Is this a week class or is it just a parody thing?

 

I haven't done my full scouting on the class, yet, so I'll rely on Tim's numbers. But as for last year, I don't think it's unfair to call it one of the best RB classes in history, just based on the evidence prior to and within one year after the draft itself. You knew it was going to be spectacular coming in, and it has lived up to the hype since. It's going to take one hell of a RB class to surpass this past one, or even approach it.

 

When I have more time (hopefully before the draft) I'll post up the historical scores for the running backs as it will give a bit fuller of a picture as to my personal thoughts on this class. I've been able to identify tiers over the years for a basic subset in the rankings -

• Anything over 700 is considered a first round player
• 699-670 2nd and 3rd
  
• 670-570 4th and 5th
• 569-450 6th and 7th
• 449-000 UDFA

The one common thread that my first tier players always have is that I consider their game to be 'non-situation dependent'. Anyone that scores over 700 in our system is considered a 3 down threat regardless of scheme or team. This year is no different. Barkley, Guice and Michel can all be workhorse backs for a franchise looking for a true 3 down rusher.

In the second tier, there are 3 I believe may be extremely situation dependent, while the other 3 lean towards it to some degree. Kelly, Ballage and Edmonds will need to be in the right fit, but if they can find good landing spots they have the ability to become true difference makers in the NFL. Kelly scores out the best in class for contact balance, Ballage is a dual threat that needs solid coaching and Edmonds has dual cut ability that will make him a strong asset when given opportunities in the passing game or second level rushing attempts. Penny, Jones and Chubb may not be as dependent simply because of their rushing styles. Rashaad is a grinder that should be able to eek out positive yardage in any offense, Jones can rely on short are burst to be a compliment back or third option on most rosters while Chubb profiles as an ideal first and second down plug and play, although I think Nick might be best served in a power scheme that demands him to lower his head and dive straight forward. His combine numbers give the impression of a player that should be able to make an impact in open space, but his tape shows that he has lost some of his dancing feet since the injury.

The third tier has 5 players that I believe can all find defined roles but I believe their path to getting increased touches and more opportunity may be decreased by some of their limitations as rushers. With that said, it's still a really solid block of backs for 4th and 5th round grades.

My last group in the top 20 is again filled with players that I believe can carve out significant roles, but their odds are even longer. I really like both Flowers and Samuels but some of their markers don't translate real well for me. I'm hoping they end up on a team that values a hybrid fullback position so they can maximize their potential. Jordan Chunn is one of my favorite short yardage options to come into the draft in a while. He's got some nimble feet for a big man and subtle shiftiness in the hole and in the lane. I think he makes and sticks on a roster.

 

Thank you, Tim... Like that old Carly Simon song, I can see clearly now... well said.

If I had half your knowledge, id be a dangerous sumbitch.

 

Much appreciated, Will.

 

Thanks Tim...I want Sony Michel in the worst way. I believe Guice will go in the mid first, Green Bay, Seattle and Detroit are my most likely landing spots. I think the Browns could trade up around spots 23-26. The Patriots are intriguing as a trade partner at #23. I don't know if they really are positioning to move up for a QB, or if that is just pre-draft hype talk. If not, then possibly a move like #33, #114 and Corey Coleman might be something Belichick would be interested in. I'm not real big on giving up on Coleman just yet. I really like to see what WRs do in their 3rd year. That is when most start to get it. However, I also think Coleman was drafted in the role that will be occupied by Landry, so I think Dorsey would see him as expendable.

If we don't draft Barkley at #4 (and I do not expect that to happen), I really want to end the first night with Sony Michel in a Browns uniform.


(edit) I could also see getting Michel after a trade down with the Bills...

 

Irish -- with all the resources the Browns have in this draft do you see them as a team that would be interested in trading down to acquire more resources? I have had some trouble believing they would want so many rookie contracts all expiring at the same time. If they trade with the Bills at some point they need to start asking for future assets instead of current right?

 

Hey Tim how much does pass protection effect your grade?

 

It's broke into 3 factors (Ability/Technique, Consistency and Effort) with 'effort' receiving the biggest multiplier.

Typically, if a guy is willing to put his body in front of a rusher and do it with a little attitude, that's a trait that carries over consistently and leans towards him being able to learn better technique (which immediately improves consistency) through proper coaching at the next level.

It's the guys that have no desire to take on a rusher in college that tend to never learn it as a pro, so their score takes the biggest hit when it comes to pass protection.

 

Perfect answer.