*Click on the Player Names to See Their Full NFL Draft Profiles

1.Bijan Robinson 

6”0, 220

Round: 1

Grade: 77% (Pro Bowl Potential)

Comp: Todd Gurley

Summary:

 He is reminiscent of another elite college running back prospect, Todd Gurley. There are talks of Bijan being taken in the top ten and while we do not think that he is worth that high of pick, he is definitely an elite talent that will be chosen on day one. 

2.Jahmyr Gibbs

5”11, 200

Round: Late 1

Grade: 74% (Pro Bowl Potential)

Comp: Alvin Kamara

Summary:

Kamara is a very popular comp for him and for good reason, as Gibbs could have a similar impact with a similar style on both the ground and in the air that Kamara does. Gibbs is a lot closer to Bijan than people may think.

3. Israel Abanikanda 

5”11, 215

Round: 2

Grade: 74%

Comp: Tevin Coleman (Out of college)

Summary:

It is amazing to us that Abanikanda is not getting more attention. Even with a 6 touchdown performance he is not in top rankings for the most part. Put on the tape and you will see elite burst and speed in a 215 pound frame with good change of direction and elusiveness. He led the ACC in yards, touchdowns, and pretty much every rushing statistic. Israel has the makings of an every down back at the next level and we expect him to be a combine standout.

4. Roschon Johnson

6”2, 223

Round: 2

Grade: 70%

Comp: Leonard Fournette

Summary:

Despite being overshadowed by Bijan Robinson, we believe Roschon Johnson has the traits to potentially be the best pro in this class. In no way are we saying Johnson is this player, but he looks like Adrian Peterson at times when he runs with his blend of power and elusiveness. They even utilize the same shimmy move when in the open field. He did break his hand at the Senior Bowl and has never been tasked with being a true lead back, but he is oozing potential. We will temper expectations a bit and compare him to Leonard Fornette (the NFL version). 

5.Zach Charbonnet 

6”1, 220

Round: 3

Grade: 64% (Starter Potential)

Comp: David Johnson

Summary:

He reminds us of David Johnson with the power and elusiveness blend, but Johnson is probably a better athlete than Charbonnet. He also could be compared to James Conner but he is probably a better athlete than Conner. Charbonnet’s athletic testing could determine his draft status. If he does better than expected he may be taken even as high as the second round. Worse could cause him to fall to the 4th.

6.Devon Achane

5”9, 185

Round: 3

Grade:

Comp:Ray Rice

Summary:

Achane may be considered slightly undersized, and could do with adding a little bit of weight for his frame to hold up at the next level. That being said, he is extremely slippery with very good speed and a home run threat anytime he touches the football. He can impact the game in all facets including returns. He is similar to Ray Rice (on the field) and could have a similar roll that Rice did in Baltimore.

7. Deuce Vaughn

5”6, 176

Round: 3

Comp: Darren Sproles

Grade: 72%

Summary:

No matter what NFL evaluators think of his size, Vaughn’s effort is worth a draft selection. He is a willing blocker and effective as a lead blocker for QB runs while at Kansas State. Those kinds of things get you noticed and get you opportunities. Just look at Isaiah Pacheco this year. Vaughn has had very impressive seasons on a lackluster Kansas State team. Despite his size he is a bowling ball at times. His calling card is his burst and elusiveness as he is one of the best at both in this class. You may see the comp and roll your eyes because of their similar sizes, but it is true. Vaughn is electric and can be used in rushing, returning, and receiving. We expect due to his size he will not be given the every down role and instead will get a lot of receiving duty. However, there is a chance he ends up closer to a feature back depending on the team and if he adds a few pounds. We will say that due to his size, he carries more risk than other backs in our rankings, but he has the talent there is no doubt about that.

8. Xazavian Valladay

6”0, 200

Round: 3/4 (But Age Could Cause him to fall)

Comp: Lamar Miller

Summary:

Valladay may be our favorite sleeper at the running back position. He had as good of a pro day as you could sine he was a combine snub and looked like the best player at the East-West Shrine game. He is a legitimate three-down back with great speed and underrated power (22 reps on the bench). Valladay possesses a lethal cut upfield on zone and stretch runs where he gets into gear in a hurry but can lower his pads and get the tough yards when needed. We would not call him elite at making people miss but we still think he could be an every down back.

** Valladay will be 24 for his rookie season. This is a red flag for sure and thus will likely drop him in the NFL Draft. Based on skill alone though, this is where we would rank him

9. Kenny McIntosh

6’1”, 210

Round: 4

Grade: 69% (Starter Potential)

Comp: Pierre Thomas

As a runner he is very reminiscent of another Georgia back, Sony Michel. Not overly athletic, but with decent elusiveness and power. However, he possesses the best receiving upside of any back in the class to pair with a good pass blocking frame that will get him involved sooner rather than later. We do not expect him to be a true lead back but that does not mean he will be exclusively a pass catcher either.

10. Kendre Miller

6”0, 220

Round: 3/4

Grade: 64%

Comp: Gus Edwards

Summary:

Kendre Miller displays a good feel for the position. He has pretty good speed and burst, along with a use of patience, jukes, and power to get yards. We would not call him elite in any one area, but he can be an early down back who can be a homerun threat, while letting someone else in the room be the pass catcher

11. Sean Tucker

5”10, 205

Round: 3/4

Grade: 62%

Comp: James White

Summary:

Tucker is a very average athlete, but that does not mean he will not be productive at the next level. Some analysts have him pegged as a do it all back and we do not agree. His speed and burst are not there to be an every down player. That being said, he should be elite in the passing game. His hands, wicked change of direction, and route running should get him on the field and have him as a potential 50 catch back every season.

12. Evan Hull 

5”10, 209

Round: 3/4 

Comp: Charles Sims

Summary:

Incredibly dedicated and hard working described Hull on and off the field. He plays are on every down. He is nothing super special as a runner althouhg he does have good power and subtle elusiveness. However he has a ton of experience as a pass catcher (14 catch, 200+ yd game vs Duke) and ran routes from all over the field.

13. DeWayne McBride

5”10, 209

Round: 4

Grade: Early down back with a decent amount of upside 

Comp: Alfred Morris

Summary:

McBride is a hard runner who rarely goes down on initial contact. He reads running lanes decently well and has a decent amount of speed to break off chunk runs. If he goes to a team with a good offensive line in place he could very easily outplay our projected round for him. However, he does not make many miss besides just running through contact and offers almost nothing in the passing game (or at least he did not in college). He also played lower level competition and the only game against a ranked team was his worst game by a mile.

14. Mohamed Ibraheim

5”8, 203

Round: 4

Comp: Dameon Pierce

Summary:

Ibraheim does not play around and plays as hard nosed as any back in the draft. He is a devastating blocker that throws all of his weight into players. He is only somewhat elusive but very hard to bring down, His decent speed and vision could have him an early down option who needs to develop his pass catching to match his blocking. Injuries are a concern

15. Tyjae Spears

5”10, 201

Round: 4

Comp: Chase Edmunds

Summary:

Spears has some traits to like, for example his contact balance. But, his speed is slightly above average at best and his elusiveness is more subtle than good. He did not really catch passes in college so we do not see him having that role at the pro level despite his physical build suggesting it as his fit.

16. Christopher Brooks  

6”1, 230

Round: 5

Comp: James Robinson

Summary: Brooks was someone that popped on tape for us while watching Jarren Hall film. He is a massive back at 230 pounds but with surprising speed, balance, and burst to match. Do we think he gets drafted high? Absolutely not. But, we view him very similar to James Robinson as a player who could even go undrafted yet make a roster and shock people. Either that or the Abram Smith route where he goes to the XFL and utterly dominates.

17. Chase Brown

5”11, 205

Round: 4/5

Grade: 57%

Comp: Sony Michel

Summary:

Jack of All trades, master of none pretty much describes Chase Brown. He is an average athlete who can give you some power and elusiveness but is not great in either. He could carve out a role as a pass catcher but we do not expect him to be anything special.

*Hunter Luepke

6”1, 230

Round: 5

Comp: Peyton Hillis

Summary:

An asterisk is there due to the fact that he is technically a fullback. Despite rushing for almost 1000 yards. It will be interesting to see how the NFL views him. He is a no nonsense runner who punishes would be tacklers and has speed in the 4.5s that could allow him to get more carries than any other fullback at the NFL. He is a very good receiver and we would not be surprised if he ends up having a Peyton Willis type season in his career.

18. Keaton Mitchell

5”8, 179

Round: 5

Comp: Dri Archer

Summary:

He has true game breaking speed but lacks instincts as a runner to be an every down back. He dances around too much in the backfield and the results are loss of yards. That being said he can catch passes and should be used as a returner as well.

19. Zach Evans

6”0, 215

Round: 5

Grade: 53% (Role Player)

Comp: Pierre Strong Jr

Summary

Zach Evans is one of the more overhyped prospects this season so far. He has some good qualities like his speed and decent power. But, he is rarely elusive and does not use ball carrier moves besides a stiff arm. He relies on his speed and power more than actual running back moves. He does possess the speed to get some breakaway runs, but the wide open running lanes and poor tackles are going to be far less at the next level. He has also struggled with injuries in his whole college career seasons including multiple lower leg injuries. He can slot in as an early down back potentially or maybe a goal line back exclusively hence the role player grade. Do not be surprised if he does not take over a backfield or be a consistent starter

20. Chris Rodriguez Jr

6”0, 217

Round: 5

Comp: Trey Sermon

Summary:

It is weird to hear some people say Rodriguez does not have the speed or burst to succeed at the next level because it is not true. He ran a 4.5 at his pro day to the shock of no one atThe Gridiron Review because it shows on film. He is very powerful and may have more upside than we give him credit for. he could see rotational work early as he learns and develops more to become an early down back.

21. Ronnie Brown

6”0, 190

Round: 6

Comp

Summary:

Despite all of the attention on Tyson Bagent, Ronnie Brown is the potential star from Shepard in our opinion. He had an incredible workout at his pro day, showing off his explosiveness. Obviously his competition was lesser, but that does not change his great speed, change of direction ability, and pass catching. Will he be drafted?? Who knows but he could easily crack a roster.

22. Eric Gray

5”9 ½ , 207

Round: 5

Comp: Myles Gaskin

Summary:

Gray is a underwhelming athlete but possesses pretty good vision with average elusiveness. He has the pass catching chops to carve out a roll there.

23. Tank Bigsby

6”0. 219

Round: 7/UDFA

Grade: 53%

Comp: Malcolm Brown

Summary:

Tank earns his nickname as he is a powerful runner who invites contact. Unfortunately he does not have the athleticism or pass catching ability to be more than a committee back who will get some goal line carries.

Tavion Thomas

6”2, 238

Round: 7/UDFA

Comp: Matt Jones (XFL)

Summary:

He is a massive player who could flash some goal line ability, but his athleticism is not good and we could see him as a bottom of the roster guy or going to a league like the XFL