Chicago Bears: 2021 Draft offensive big board Ryan Pace must follow
By Joseph Herff
Chicago Bears Draft: Running Back
This year may be the weakest draft year for running backs in recent memory. There really isn’t a high-end elite talent in the class like a Saquon Barkley or a Leonard Fournette. This is a lot like the 2018 class that had David Montgomery: some potential finds in the later rounds, but no high-end talent.
- Najee Harris, Alabama — 6.6
- Javone Williams, North Carolina — 6.4
- Travis Etienne, Clemson — 6.3
- Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis — 6.1
- Trey Sermon, Ohio State — 5.9
- Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State — 5.9
- Michael Carter, North Carolina — 5.7
- Kylin Hill, Mississippi State — 5.7
- Jaret Patterson, Buffalo — 5.6
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma — 5.4
Player to Highlight: Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
As of lately, Memphis has been putting out a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. They have had Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, and Antonio Gibson all drafted recently at the running back position with Gibson having an outstanding rookie season in 2020. Gainwell is next in line to be drafted from Memphis.
Although not playing much in college after opting out of the 2020 season and only being a redshirt sophomore, Gainwell enough talent in 2019 to get drafted in 2021. Much like Gibson, he is an explosive runner that can provide a lot of help out of the backfield. The Bears could use his explosiveness if they don’t want to keep Damien Williams around. If they keep him around, I doubt they even look at running back.