The runningbacks are going to an exciting group to watch during the upcoming college football season. This group has a chance to have as many as 4 first round picks, an anomaly in today’s NFL. The some of the scariest half backs in draft are not actually eligible for the 2016 Draft. Three of my top five rated half backs will have to wait until 2017 to throw their names into the ring (Georgia’s Nick Chubb, LSU’s Leonard Fournette, and Oregon’s Royce Freeman were all true freshman last season). Nevertheless here are the top available backs for the 2016 NFL Draft.
TOP 5 Seniors:
1. Jonathan Williams (Arkansas) 6’0″ 225 lbs
Williams is part of a crowded backfield who shares a majority of carries to teammate Alex Collins who we will get to talk about a little later. The split of carries actually helps his draft stock as teams will have a fresher Williams to work with in the pros. Arkansas fans remember a powerful duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Williams successfully takes on a similar role as the power back in the offense. Williams could find himself somewhere in the 3rd-4th round in next year’s draft.
2. D.J. Foster (Arizona State) 5’11” 203 lbs
Foster came into Arizona State as a high recruit but managed to struggle early in his career. Now a senior Foster has found his own niche turning himself into one of the best receiving backs in college. Foster will likely have a promising career as a third down receiving back in the league. That’s not to say D.J. can’t run either as he racked up over 1,000 yards last season. Foster is a shifty runner with explosive speed that will make his next team excited to get their hands on him. Foster reminds me a lot of former Giants runningback David Wilson. In an evolving NFL that involves the passing game more often expect Foster’s draft stock to reflect that as he should find himself in the 2nd-3rd round.
3. Byron Marshall (Oregon) 5’9″ 201 lbs
Pick your poison between Foster and Oregon’s Marshall as they are very similar players. Marshall spent the majority of the 2014 season as a receiver in Oregon’s high tempo spread offense. Marshall was able to rack up over 1,000 receiving yards while rushing for over 1,000 rushing yards in 2013. His versatility will make him a valuable piece to NFL offenses. His size may be the only concerning things to teams as he has trouble staying over 200 lbs. Marshall could be a rich mans version of DeAnthony Thomas should he continue to get stronger.
4. Kenneth Dixon (Louisiana Tech) 5’10” 212 lbs
Dixon is your typically bruiser. He is not particularly shifty but he will drop the shoulder and run you over. Dixon has been a bit of a workhorse in college but his bruising frame seems like he can handle to task in the next level. Dixon hopes he can bring his power running game into the NFL in 2016 as he reminds me a lot of Jonathan Stewart from the Carolina Panthers.
5. Devontae Booker (Utah) 5’11” 212 lbs
Booker was a sort of breakout star from Utah after transferring there as a JUCO player. Like the other two Pac-12 players above Booker is a heck of a receiver himself hauling in 43 passes last season. Booker’s health will be worth monitoring as he is the star of the show in Utah having 293 rushing attempts last season. With Booker being a year older expect him to drop a round or two lower in need of proving last season was no fluke.
TOP 5 Underclassmen:
1. Derrick Henry (Alabama) 6’3″ 242 lbs
Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, and T.J. Yeldon are some of Alabama backs in the past but Henry may in fact be the best of the group. Henry’s speed and agility is sort of super human considering his impeccable size. Henry’s play style most resembles Eddie Lacy but he has a sort of Marshawn Lynch in his refusal to be tackled. Henry will be a touchdown machine in the NFL and is one player worth watching this season.
2. Ezekiel Elliot (Ohio State) 6’0″ 225 lbs
Was there a more impressive half back during the latter half of the 2014 college football season? Elliot’s final three game tear lead the Buckeyes to a national title this season. He destroyed Wisconsin for 220 yds. and 2 touchdowns, then Alabama for 230 yds. and 2 td’s, and finally Oregon for 246 yds. and 4 touchdowns. If Elliot is anywhere as productive this season he should find himself as the first back draft next season. Elliot and Henry will be closely debated as the season nears.
3. James Connor (Pittsburgh) 6’2″ 250 lbs
If you ever watch a Pitt football game you will probably notice the moving house in the backfield, that’s him. There is no stopping Connor, it often times takes more than one guy to bring him down. The scariest part of his game is his ability to show patience in letting holes develop in the running game. Connor is the closest thing to Jerome Bettis I have ever seen as I didn’t think it was possible to be that big and that fast. Connor will run right trough you making him a must have for goal line situations. Connor’s worst case scenario is he turns into a powerful Mike Alstott becoming the most dominant full back since the A-train himself.
4. Alex Collins (Arkansas) 5’11” 216 lbs
Collins was once the top recruited runningback in high school. While Collins hasn’t exactly lived up to that hype he hasn’t gotten a chance to be the workhorse back either. Collins has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two season even while sharing a number of carries. Collins could be a huge steal come draft day especially if he improves as a receiver, something that is hardly his fault as Arkansas may have better success finding a random pedestrian to be their quarterback.
Tied 5. Corey Clement (Wisconsin) 5’11” 217 lbs
Clement is a bit of an unknown because of his backup status to now Chargers first round pick Melvin Gordon. Clement managed to run for 949 yards despite having very few opportunities. Now that Gordon is out of town Clement has a chance to sky rocket his value as he finally gets a chance to be the lead runner. Clement could easily top 1,600 yards now that Gordon is gone. Recent Wisconsin backs have been taken high as Montee Ball went in the 2nd round in 2013.
Tied 5. Kelvin Taylor (Florida) 5’10” 215 lbs
Son of Jaguars legend Fred Taylor, Kelvin Taylor may have one of the higher ceilings of any back in college football. Taylor has always been a guy who has shown flashes of greatness only to be overshadowed by horrible quarterback play that saw defenses stack the box early and often. Now that Matt Jones and Mack Brown are gone Taylor has the chance to be the man for the Gators. Taylor does not have a ton of production up to this point but expect him to have a big season in Jim McElwain’s new offense.
