NFL Draft – Running Back Rankings
7.) Terrance West, Towson (5’9, 225): A relative unknown coming from Towson University, but was a stud coming out of high school (Clemson recruit) and only ended up at Towson due to academic and off-field issues. He’s a powerful back with good vision and the burst to get to the second level. His 4.54 40-time proves he has the ability to break the occasional long one and I think he’s a dark-horse for rookie of the year if he winds up in the right situation. Draft Projection: 3rd-4th round
8.) Devonta Freeman, Florida St (5’8, 206): Runs low to the ground with good power. Freeman is exceptionally shifty and a smooth receiver out of the backfield (28 catches for 278 yards). He was part of a running back committee at FSU, so his numbers don’t tell the whole story and his legs are fresher than most draft prospects. Draft Projection: 3rd-4th round
9.) Lache Seastrunk, Baylor (5’9, 201): Seastrunk can fly, but bounces too many runs outside and might not be sturdy enough for a big workload. He also struggled against faster defenses and put up most of his big games against bottom tier teams. Seastrunk is a good receiver out of the backfield and could become a dangerous 3rd down back. Draft Projection: 4th-5th round
10.) Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona (5’10, 207): Carey’s stock has been dropping all off-season due to a 4.7 40-time at the combine and a 4.66 at his pro day. Carey still seems much faster to me on tape (4.5-4.6 range) and he did lead the nation in rushing last year (1,929 yards) so maybe he is one of those guys who runs better when someone is chasing him. Or maybe he was a just a product of Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense? He isn’t a big or powerful, so his lack of speed is concerning. Draft Projection: 4th-5th round
11.) Tyler Gaffney, Stanford (5’11, 220): His 4.49 40-time might have been the surprise of the combine. Gaffney was a tough runner at Stanford, but I never thought he had breakaway speed while watching him. I went back and watched the tape and still don’t see it. Gaffney is a tough runner and a good pass blocker so he should be ready to contribute right away, but has limited upside. Draft Projection: 4th-5th round
12.) Isaiah Crowell, Alabama St (5’11, 224): Crowell is one of the most talented running backs in this year’s draft class. He was the SEC freshman of the year at Georgia in 2011 (850 yards, 5 touchdowns) before transferring to Alabama St and averaging just under 7 yards per carry over two seasons. Crowell has good size, vision, elite elusiveness, soft hands out of the backfield and the speed to break one once he reaches the second level. Crowell has some red flags as well; He was forced to leave Georgia after a felony gun charge (dropped), a failed drug test (marijuana), and also has a checkered medical history with no serious injuries but a few missed games. If having a gun in your car and smoking weed were deal-breakers, then most NFL teams wouldn’t be able to fill a 53-man roster. Crowell also wasn’t asked to block much at the college level so that is something teams will have to vet before drafting him. Crowell is a risky choice, but one of the best talents you will ever see in the 6th round. Draft Projection: 5th round – UFA