Third in our Rookie Review is the Running backs. If you’re following along at home we’ve already covered QBs and TEs with WRs still to come next week.
16 RBs were taking in this year's draft. Over half of them taken by the end of the 3rd round. There was a deep pool of talent this year and everyone wanted a piece. NFL teams are snatching up rooking RBs on their cheap contracts and running them ragged before jettisoning them to some other team.
Clyde Edward-Helaire 1.32 When I was watching live I didn’t really expect the Chiefs to take a RB so early. Considering the round and the talent surrounding him in KC there is no reason he shouldn’t be earning the starter role by game 2. A tad on the stockier side he’s actually rather agile, makes quick fluid cuts and seems to be able to naturally spot the hole and make moves. He is however a bit on the slower side and I’m concerned about his ability to remain on the field for 3 downs. KC has come out and said Damian Williams will be the starter but honestly he didn’t look all that good last year, was injured frequently and they don’t have a financial commitment to him. I think KC is looking to find the next Hunt and CEH does match the profile some. If it’s anything like 2017 where Hunt got 272 carries and 63 targets this is an RB1.
D’Andre Swift 2.03 Once again this was not a pick I was expecting. The Lions thought they needed RB help and boy did they get themselves some help. Swift easily could be argued as the best back in the class. He has all the skills, speed, and natural talent to do well. He does have some things to work on including his top end speed and his fumbling. Even still, he’s a terrific pass catcher which is so odd. The situation in DET is desperation mode. Patricia has been failing hard and they’ve had an abysmal DEF and middling OFF. Now with the addition of Swift and some O Line help in the draft Swift should have long term value in a system that likes to run. I am curious what they will do with Kerryon as he’s not that expensive and can be explosive but has yet to finish a season.
Jonathan Taylor 2.09 Now this pick I would never have expected. We seemed all set at RB and then boom! Taylor is a beast! Big, strong and stupid fast he is exactly the right fit for what the Colts want to do. Run the damn ball! He averaged 2k yds per year at Wisconsin. I don’t expect it to be long before Taylor takes the bulk of the workload from Mack as he usually gets injured. Taylor does have some fumbling and dropped passes issues from college. Considering the level of QB play and his O Line now, I’m not overly concerned that those can’t be corrected. Next year he likely will have the vast majority of the workload and would be an easy top 5 pick.
Cam Akers 2.20 At this point you get my drift of not expecting the team to make this pick at this spot. The Rams released the one time world shattering RB in Todd Gurley and for a while we thought the backup Henderson was ascending to glory. Now here we are staring at another 2nd round RB. Akers is worth this pick this high. Talented, fluid, home run speed and big. Not only can he grind but he can catch. He’s up there with CEH for his ability. The biggest knock on him is he fumbles and wasn’t explosive. The explosiveness can be forgiven considering the school he went to, gross. What I’m trying to figure out is what the Rams will do. It seems like they found the style of player like Gurley that they wanted but Henderson seems just as capable himself. I’m wondering if we are going to see a split backfield.
J.K. Dobbins 2.23 By now you’re wondering will he say it again. Yes, I wasn’t expecting this pick. They have Ingram locked in for another year and a slew of RBs in the stable to be sufficient. Then add in Jackson at QB and it’s hard to imagine why I was shocked at this pick. Dobbins is another big, prolific Big 10 rusher. While a big bruiser and efficient which is perfect for this team. I am concerned about his ability to catch as I saw low workloads and the fact he doesn’t have top end speed. My real concern is what I mentioned above which even after Ingram leaves this season he’ll have to share a workload with Jackson which will limit his upside to low end RB1 but likely RB2 most seasons.
A.J. Dillion 2.30 The Packers add themselves to the list of teams surprising me and as I’m now piecing together from looking at contracts it makes sense. Many teams are setting themselves up for success next year. In this case the Packers drafted a huge Derrick Henry size human to run the ball. His big issues are he isn’t a natural pass catcher, but he can catch. And he runs upright but c’mon look at him. The main issue is the Packers backfield is crowded currently. Aaron Jones is a good runner himself and will be his main competition as Williams will surely fall behind.
Ke’shawn Vaughn 3.12 This one wasn’t as shocking as you would think. TB12 wanted to make an impact on the team and make decisions and he did just that. Vaughn is a poor man's Taylor or Swift. He’s a good size back with a penchant to score. He’s very consistent and can pass-block well. The biggest knock on him is just that he isn’t as great as some other RBs in the draft. He is a tad on the slower side and really only can make one move as a back. Given that Ronald Jones is not from the Arians regime it’s safe to say if Vaughn can out work Jones there’s no reason he shouldn’t start on this ridiculous offense.
Zack Moss 3.22 Surprising! I think not! At least in hindsight. I was very much in love with the idea of Singletary getting the entire backfield to himself. But alas, no. It appears the Bills like the idea of a 3 headed rushing machine. At the helm is the wild man QB Josh Allen, it’s no wonder they also took a QB just in case. Moss is here to fill the Frank Gore role. The bigger bruiser who will be spelled in by Singletary’s electric nature. Moss’s main issue is he is on the slower side and there is already a bit of an injury risk with a torn MCL in 2018. Moss will be a perennial RB3/flex if he is unable to get a sizable workload.
Darrynton Evans 3.29 This seems like a good pick by the Titans. Evans is the type of back who can take a workload if necessary. It’s akin to insurance. In case Henry decides he actually wants to hold out. If he doesn’t then Evans will be a great change of pace back as he’s electric, can actually catch the ball and doesn’t fumble, I mean like ever. Most of his value will be dependent on whether or not Henry inks a long term deal.