Mike's Take …
The longest run in Super Bowl LV found the end zone from 27 yards away and was authored by a former fourth-overall selection.
Leonard Fournette has made a habit of rushing for touchdowns in the postseason during his time with Jacksonville (four in three games) and with Tampa Bay (three in four games). He's done it as a Top 5 pick and as a street free agent.
The league's leading rusher in 2020, Derrick Henry (2,027 yards), was a former second-round selection out of Alabama in 2016.
But James Robinson, an undrafted rookie from Illinois State, finished tied for fifth in rushing (1,017 yards) in 2020.
Running backs really do come in all shapes and sizes, and from everywhere.
It just depends on your preference.
Sleeper - Trey Sermon, Ohio State (6-0, 224 lbs.) - A transfer from Oklahoma, Sermon surpassed 68 yards rushing once in five regular-season games for the Buckeyes (112 against Michigan State). But he exploded for 331 in the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern (and that on a day when quarterback Justin Fields was injured and ineffective) and 193 in the CFP national semifinal against Clemson. ESPNU reported during Senior Bowl week Sermon's stated goals for Ohio State's pro day would be to establish route-running and catching ability for the scouts (he attended Senior Bowl week but didn't participate due to a shoulder injury sustained early in the CFP National Championship Game against Alabama). Stay tuned.
#5 - Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma (6-0, 229 lbs.) - What you see is what you get, "a traditional, between-the-tackles, downhill runner," according to ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum, a former general manager of the Jets and a former executive vice president of football operations for the Dolphins. "He has a really well-built lower body. From a build standpoint he's clearly the most physical running back (at the Senior Bowl)." Added ESPN's Louis Riddick: "He's shown that he can pass protect." Riddick also cited Stevenson's jump-cut and his "ability to get lateral and get vertical, hit the gaps quick." Stevenson rushed for 665 yards in 2020, including 186 against Florida in the Gator Bowl.
#4 - Javonte Williams, North Carolina (5-10, 220 lbs.) - Williams was recognized as the lead back in the opinion of some in what became UNC's "Dynamic Duo" at the position. His junior year saw Williams improve his sophomore totals in rushing yards (933 to 1,140), average per carry (5.6 to 7.3), rushing touchdowns (five to 19) receiving yards (176 to 305) and receiving TDs (one to three). He projects as a potential workhorse back who can break tackles. Consistency was a bit of an issue during his breakout 2020 season. Williams had 28 yards and averaged 2.5 per carry against Notre Dame but exploded for 236, a 10.3 average and three touchdowns against Miami. He skipped the Orange Bowl and the Senior Bowl.
#3 - Michael Carter, North Carolina (5-9 1/2, 199 lbs.) - The other half of the Tar Heels two-headed monster at running back. ESPN's Todd McShay could hardly have been more impressed watching Carter put on a show during Senior Bowl practices. "He runs low to the ground," McShay gushed. "He gets in and out of cuts. And you watch him in pass protection, he actually cares. He was so important in their catch game (at North Carolina), he averaged 8 yards per carry and I just think he's a special player. Military family, he is disciplined, loves the game. He's the highest-character player that you would ever want at the running back position." Tannenbaum isn't concerned about Carter's relative lack of size. "There's a difference between being short and small," Tannenbaum said. "He is not small. He has an NFL lower body."
#2 - Travis Etienne, Clemson (5-10 1/8, 212 lbs.) - Etienne rushed for over 1,600 yards in 2018 and again in 2019 and for 914 in the 2020 pandemic campaign. He registered career-high totals in receptions (48) and receiving yards (588) in 2020. And he rushed for at least 13 touchdowns in all four seasons at Clemson (70 total, 24 in 2018). His signatures are acceleration and big-play capability in space. Most evaluators have Etienne at least No. 2 at running back heading into the draft. The consistency and productivity he displayed at Clemson and the NFL-style he exhibits at running back have everything to do with that.
#1 - Najee Harris, Alabama (6-1 3/4, 232 lbs.) - Harris is McShay's No. 22 player available overall. Harris is a three-down back and was the second-best player in the CFP National Championship game after Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, according to Tannenbaum. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, like seemingly everyone else, is also impressed. "He's a complete back," Jeremiah maintained. "The only question is just that pure top speed. But you don't have any questions about his competitiveness when you watch him on tape with how he finishes runs." Jeremiah's NFL comparison for Harris was Bears 2008 second-round pick Matt Forte (big, athletic frame and can catch).
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February 24, 2021 at 07:05PM
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The Triple Take: RBs - Steelers.com - Steelers.com
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