Pre-Draft Positional Review – RB

The Running Back position is once again blessed when it comes to draft talent this season so there will be plenty of teams looking to add to their depth or pick up their back for the foreseeable future. The current state of play is interesting as there aren't too many obvious openings but there are definitely going to be opportunities for rookies to compete and take a job.

The Pre-Draft RB Landscape:

Team	RB1	RB2	RB3	Draft
ARI	David Johnson	Elijah Penny
ATL	Devonta Freeman	Tevin Coleman
BAL	Alex Collins	Jarvorious Allen	Kenneth Dixon
BUF	LeSean McCoy	Chris Ivory	Taiwan Jones
CAR	Christian McCaffrey	Fozzy Whittaker	Cameron Artis-Payne
CHI	Jordan Howard	Tarik Cohen	Benny Cunningham
CIN	Joe Mixon	Giovanni Bernard
CLE	Carlos Hyde	Duke Johnson
DAL	Ezekiel Elliott	Rod Smith
DEN	Devonte Booker	Deangelo Henderson
DET	LeGarrette Blount	Theo Riddick	Ameer Abdullah
GB	Aaron Jones	Ty Montgomery	Jamaal Williams
HOU	Lamar Miller	Donta Foreman
IND	Marlon Mack	Robert Turbin	Matt Jones
JAX	Leonard Fournette	Corey Grant	TJ Yeldon
KC	Kareem Hunt	Spencer Ware	Kerwyn Williams
LAC	Melvin Gordon	Austin Ekeler	Andre Williams
LA	Todd Gurley	Malcolm Brown
MIA	Kenyan Drake	Frank Gore
MIN	Dalvin Cook	Latavious Murray	Mack Brown
NE	Rex Burkhead	James White	Jeremy Hill
NO	Mark Ingram	Alvin Kamara	Daniel Lasco
NYG	Jonathan Stewart	Wayne Gallman	Paul Perkins
NYJ	Isiah Crowell	Bilal Powell	Elijah McGuire
OAK	Marshawn Lynch	Doug Martin	Jalen Richard
PHI	Jay Ajayi	Corey Clement	Wendell Smallwood
PIT	Leveon Bell	James Connor	Stevan Ridley
SF	Jerrick McKinnon	Matt Breida	Joe Williams
SEA	Chris Carson	CJ Prosise	Mike Davis
TB	Peyton Barber	Jacquizz Rodgers
TEN	Derrick Henry	Dion Lewis	David Fluellen
WAS	Samaje Perine	Chris Thompson	Rob Kelley

As explained in the QB segment, Green means I expect them to draft one or pick up a free agent, yellow is it’s likely they draft an RB and white means it’s less likely.

The most in need (Green):

Carolina let go of Jonathan Stewart and look to have rolled the dice on using Christian McCaffrey more often. However, they look to be a lock as a team who will bring in another running back to spread the load and maybe take more of the rushing and heavy loads. Whether they look to the open market and a player like CJ Anderson or the middle rounds of the draft, they’re likely to go for a ground and pound type compliment to the pass catching game of McCaffrey.

Denver let go of CJ Anderson last week after failing to find a trade partner and now look like they’re hoping to see Saquon Barkley fall to them at #5. If he doesn’t they might trade back (presumably with the Bills) to gain more capitol and choose their running back later on. They have mentioned before about wanting to give Devante Booker a chance in the lead role so they may not look to take a running back early and instead wait in this deep class for someone to pair with Booker who may take on more responsibility later on in the season.

The Giants brought in Jonathan Stewart in what can only be a short term measure to ensure they had someone with experience on the roster. Wayne Gallman might also find himself with some pass catching work but in reality all signs point to them drafting their running back for the future in this draft. At #2 they have a host of options. Pick Barkley if the Browns don’t, trade down and pick up someone reasonably early, choose another back later in the draft to bring through or pick up a veteran and concentrate on other positions. This all depends on where the powers that be determine their biggest needs to be. What do they want Eli Manning’s successor, a running back of quality or some more pieces on the offensive line to make a running back and quarterback more effective?

Tampa Bay will definitely want a runner in addition to Payton Barber. They could choose a player like CJ Anderson to fill the void and give them instant production and something of a known quantity. However, since Anderson was dropped so late they may have already made plans for the draft and picking at #7 will give them a shot at an elite prospect should they wish to go down that route.

Washington currently has Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson and Samaje Perine on their books. Thompson (when fit) is a lock as a pass catcher after a stunning spell last season but the other two have much more uncertainty. I can’t see Perine being given the keys and they may well look for another runner to provide another option and create another annoying Running Back by committee.

Other possible landing spots (Yellow):

Looking at the other possible landing spots; Arizona may want some backup in case David Johnson goes down again. Baltimore needs to commit to Alex Collins or pick a replacement. Buffalo need to start thinking about the successor to Shady McCoy. Chicago needs to be sure Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen will fit Matt Nagy’s system and if not, know what to do next. Cincinnati might want a bit of depth whereas Detroit could do with a standout number 1 back. Cleveland have a starting back but many see them going out for a power back for the long term which may leave Carlos Hyde in limbo for a while. The Texans have Miller and Foreman but don’t seem to know what to do and with a shallow depth chart they may want another option. Indianapolis will either trust in Marlon Mack or draft a top running back. A committee approach awaits there I would guess.

The Chargers might soon realize that Melvin Gordon isn’t that good and his replacement is probably not hiding on their depth charts. Miami have Drake and Gore but not a lot else and will need someone to bring through when Gore hangs up his cleats. The Jets have options for now but maybe need an eye towards the future unless they can see Elijah McGuire kicking on. The Eagles lost Blount and with Ajayi’s knee issues they may look to add some more support. The Steelers might want to think of plan B in case LeVeon Bell does indeed quit or they decide they’ve had enough and trade him. Seattle is a mess in their backfield but really it’s an offensive line they need. The 49ers might think about a change of pace for McKinnon if Breida and Williams aren’t up to it but if they do it will be a late draft pick.

The options:

Player	Status
Adrian Peterson	FA
Alfred Morris	FA
CJ Anderson	FA
Darren Sproles	FA
Demarco Murray	FA
Eddie Lacy	FA
Jamaal Charles	FA
Orleans Darkwa	FA
Terrence West	FA
Akrum Wadley	Rookie
Bo Scarborough	Rookie
Derrius Guice	Rookie
Ito Smith	Rookie
Josh Adams	Rookie
Kalen Ballege	Rookie
Kerryon Johnson	Rookie
Mark Walton	Rookie
Nick Chubb	Rookie
Nyheim Hines	Rookie
Rashaad Penny	Rookie
Ronald Jones	Rookie
Royce Freeman	Rookie
Saquon Barkley	Rookie
Sony Michel	Rookie

There’s still a lot of experienced talent available but a very deep rookie class. Most teams will have had their eye on this draft class for some time and so I don’t think the veterans remaining unsigned will find a home until well after the draft (if they find one at all). I’m not even going to contemplate where anyone might go but be aware that the list of rookies here is by no means exhaustive.

There’s a lot that could happen and with such a deep class I expect most teams with a need will take a shot at one of them, even if it’s just to boost the depth chart a little. It’s probably the most interesting position within this draft as it feels like a once in a generation level of talent over a two year period so let’s just hope that this bodes well for the future.