Pre-Combine RB Board
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 6:02 am
Hey all,
Sharing my pre-combine RB rankings for productive discussion and feedback. My rankings are focused on future dynasty fantasy value, but probability of NFL success is also baked into that.
Cheers!
DynoScout
2017 Pre-Combine RB Board
1. Dalvin Cook - Super explosive, still refining pass protection chops, dynamic receiver, good contact balance and competitiveness overall, and excellent for his size. Some off-field and medical concerns that could affect draft position. On-field he's my favorite prospect in this class.
2. Leonard Fournette - Foundation back, better receiver than given credit for. Best out of "I" formation with defined holes and a lead blocker. Runs behind his pads, Watching Fournette live is sort of like watching a time-lapse video of erosion, carry-to-carry, and over the course of a game. Throwback player, needs a throwback offense.
3. Joe Mixon - On the field does everything I want in an RB, shows good patience +explosive plant step, well-rounded game and a+ receiver
4. Christian McCaffrey - Great receiver, not sure he's a three-down back but shows good patience and vision. Landing spot will be key for him, want to see him with a good QB to tap into PPR gold.
5. Samaje Perine - Great hips and great feet for a big back, sound on third down, future TD scorer can run behind his pads and get low. Could be a juiced up Jordan Howard, in terms of NFL draft position. Faster than people think. His fantasy value will hinge on whether he's a 3-down guy or not, but skills wise I think he can be a 3-down workhorse if called upon.
6. D’Onta Foreman - Interesting prospect, super productive this year at Texas. Big back but athletic. Nimble and elusive on tape...6ft/240 at combine? Can get a little upright at times and would like to see him stay behind his pads. Size gives him upside as a pass protector and hands seem fine
7. Alvin Kamara - All around back, closer to Christian McCaffrey than it would appear here. Might wind up above him depending on landing spot(s).
8. Jamaal Williams - I don't know if this ranking makes me a fan, but I feel like a fan when I watch his game at BYU, just a deep class. James Starks-caliber career is the floor, but I think the upside is in the neighborhood of Arian Foster. Big smooth back.
9. Kareem Hunt - Similar to Williams above him, I like Hunt more than this ranking might suggest. Tough competitive runner with good feet/balance. Had suspension issues and weight fluctuated often at Toledo. Interested to see how the NFL approaches him, 208lbs at senior bowl seemed like a surprise
10. Marlon Mack - Can look shot from a cannon at times. Fun RB to watch. All speed, arms and knees. Doesn't run behind pads consistently so probably not a sustainer in NFL. More of a change of pace/1B guy... Could play a tevin coleman-like role for NFL team, even though I wouldn't comp him to coleman in collegiate play style...expect explosive combine
11. Jeremy McNichols - Like him to score a good PPR role in the NFL with developmental upside to be an RB2. Could be a poor man's Gio Bernard
12. Wayne Gallman - Competitive tough runner with good play strength, doesn't always play behind pads but fights contact regardless. Worried he will be banged up in NFL due to this. Rest of the package is good, no knockout factors good or bad.
13. Corey Clement - A guy I struggle with, in this case, I can't let go of some of the flashes even in light of the larger body of work. If he puts it all together and stays healthy he can out produce this ranking with ease. If he doesn't, then he's probably not even worth this investment given some of the names below him.
14. Matt Dayes - Fun RB that offers good balance and competitiveness seems to have vision to run inside, but not sure he has the size to hold that role long term in the NFL. Committee back with upside
15. James Conner - Great story and strong football character. Question athleticism for NFL game. Want to move him higher but until I see an NFL team make a real investment I will consider him a late round target
16. Elijah McQuire - PPR special with upside to carve out carries season-to-season. Could do far worse in most 4th rounds
17. Elijah Hood - Former Eagle Scout, former 5 star. Wish his body was cut a little differently, looks top heavy and doesn’t run behind his pads so worry about longevity. If lower body injuries sap his athleticism the bottom falls out fast. Until then could be the part time dash to someone else's flash
18. Brian Hill - Arbitrage Wayne Galllman, I'd put both on the same spectrum as TJ Yeldon in terms of play-style/NFL role. I liked Yeldon more as a prospect than I like Gallman and Hill however.
19. Joseph Yearby - Smaller shiftier back with good balance and good hands. I like him, but I can't justify him much higher than this based on expected NFL draft position. If he goes higher, I'll likely follow suit.
20. Joe Williams - On the other hand this is about as high as I think I can go on Williams given the age and competitive desire question marks (quit then rejoined team when devastated by injury). That said, appears to have that uncoachable speed in spades...enough that it may qualify as that one difference making trait that could earn him a shot and a flex-worthy role
21. DeVeon Smith - Once thought he was going to be the Jordan Howard like grinder of this class, but the vision and feet just aren't that caliber right now. Offers some utility as a big back receiver. Has some upside in pass pro due to his size. could find a mike tolbert like role
Sharing my pre-combine RB rankings for productive discussion and feedback. My rankings are focused on future dynasty fantasy value, but probability of NFL success is also baked into that.
Cheers!
DynoScout
2017 Pre-Combine RB Board
1. Dalvin Cook - Super explosive, still refining pass protection chops, dynamic receiver, good contact balance and competitiveness overall, and excellent for his size. Some off-field and medical concerns that could affect draft position. On-field he's my favorite prospect in this class.
2. Leonard Fournette - Foundation back, better receiver than given credit for. Best out of "I" formation with defined holes and a lead blocker. Runs behind his pads, Watching Fournette live is sort of like watching a time-lapse video of erosion, carry-to-carry, and over the course of a game. Throwback player, needs a throwback offense.
3. Joe Mixon - On the field does everything I want in an RB, shows good patience +explosive plant step, well-rounded game and a+ receiver
4. Christian McCaffrey - Great receiver, not sure he's a three-down back but shows good patience and vision. Landing spot will be key for him, want to see him with a good QB to tap into PPR gold.
5. Samaje Perine - Great hips and great feet for a big back, sound on third down, future TD scorer can run behind his pads and get low. Could be a juiced up Jordan Howard, in terms of NFL draft position. Faster than people think. His fantasy value will hinge on whether he's a 3-down guy or not, but skills wise I think he can be a 3-down workhorse if called upon.
6. D’Onta Foreman - Interesting prospect, super productive this year at Texas. Big back but athletic. Nimble and elusive on tape...6ft/240 at combine? Can get a little upright at times and would like to see him stay behind his pads. Size gives him upside as a pass protector and hands seem fine
7. Alvin Kamara - All around back, closer to Christian McCaffrey than it would appear here. Might wind up above him depending on landing spot(s).
8. Jamaal Williams - I don't know if this ranking makes me a fan, but I feel like a fan when I watch his game at BYU, just a deep class. James Starks-caliber career is the floor, but I think the upside is in the neighborhood of Arian Foster. Big smooth back.
9. Kareem Hunt - Similar to Williams above him, I like Hunt more than this ranking might suggest. Tough competitive runner with good feet/balance. Had suspension issues and weight fluctuated often at Toledo. Interested to see how the NFL approaches him, 208lbs at senior bowl seemed like a surprise
10. Marlon Mack - Can look shot from a cannon at times. Fun RB to watch. All speed, arms and knees. Doesn't run behind pads consistently so probably not a sustainer in NFL. More of a change of pace/1B guy... Could play a tevin coleman-like role for NFL team, even though I wouldn't comp him to coleman in collegiate play style...expect explosive combine
11. Jeremy McNichols - Like him to score a good PPR role in the NFL with developmental upside to be an RB2. Could be a poor man's Gio Bernard
12. Wayne Gallman - Competitive tough runner with good play strength, doesn't always play behind pads but fights contact regardless. Worried he will be banged up in NFL due to this. Rest of the package is good, no knockout factors good or bad.
13. Corey Clement - A guy I struggle with, in this case, I can't let go of some of the flashes even in light of the larger body of work. If he puts it all together and stays healthy he can out produce this ranking with ease. If he doesn't, then he's probably not even worth this investment given some of the names below him.
14. Matt Dayes - Fun RB that offers good balance and competitiveness seems to have vision to run inside, but not sure he has the size to hold that role long term in the NFL. Committee back with upside
15. James Conner - Great story and strong football character. Question athleticism for NFL game. Want to move him higher but until I see an NFL team make a real investment I will consider him a late round target
16. Elijah McQuire - PPR special with upside to carve out carries season-to-season. Could do far worse in most 4th rounds
17. Elijah Hood - Former Eagle Scout, former 5 star. Wish his body was cut a little differently, looks top heavy and doesn’t run behind his pads so worry about longevity. If lower body injuries sap his athleticism the bottom falls out fast. Until then could be the part time dash to someone else's flash
18. Brian Hill - Arbitrage Wayne Galllman, I'd put both on the same spectrum as TJ Yeldon in terms of play-style/NFL role. I liked Yeldon more as a prospect than I like Gallman and Hill however.
19. Joseph Yearby - Smaller shiftier back with good balance and good hands. I like him, but I can't justify him much higher than this based on expected NFL draft position. If he goes higher, I'll likely follow suit.
20. Joe Williams - On the other hand this is about as high as I think I can go on Williams given the age and competitive desire question marks (quit then rejoined team when devastated by injury). That said, appears to have that uncoachable speed in spades...enough that it may qualify as that one difference making trait that could earn him a shot and a flex-worthy role
21. DeVeon Smith - Once thought he was going to be the Jordan Howard like grinder of this class, but the vision and feet just aren't that caliber right now. Offers some utility as a big back receiver. Has some upside in pass pro due to his size. could find a mike tolbert like role