The 2014 NFL Draft will feature a running back class much stronger group than group we saw in 2013. There are as many as four prospects who already look like potential first rounders and several others knocking at the door. Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey, Auburn’s Tre Mason and Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah have all flashed tons of potential so far in their career.
As usual, the value of the running back position will play a major role in where these prospects land.
1. Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona (1st Round)
Ka’Deem Carey needs to show NFL evaluators that he is past the off-field issues that threaten his draft stock. Based on his play on the field, Carey should have little trouble coming off the board somewhere in the first round.
This is an explosive runner who doesn’t waste time dancing in the backfield. He quickly locates the opening and uses his quick-twitch ability to explode through the hole. His overall quickness allows him to outpace defensive angles while gaining large chunks of yardage.
However, Carey isn’t just a speed back as he also shows the ability to lower his head and move the pile. He’s a complete player whose only real area of concern is in pass protection. Carey is a willing blocker, but has a tendency to dive at the pass-rushers legs.
2. Tre Mason, Auburn (1st Round)
Tre Mason reminds me of a more explosive version of Ray Rice. He’s built with a low center of gravity and plays with excellent balance. These traits make Mason a well-rounded player who can work between the tackles and attack the edge.
He’s a real physical runner who looks it initiate contact to finish the run. However, it’s his elite quickness that makes him a special talent. Mason gets through the hole so quickly that there are times he’s several yards down the field before the first defender makes contact.
Don’t be surprised if Mason is the first running back selected in the 2014 draft. He has the potential to be a real difference maker.
3. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (1st Round)
Ameer Abdullah uses a combination of power and speed to produce big plays on the field. He’s the type of runner who is rarely stopped behind the line of scrimmage because he does a great job identifying the open running lane.
However, Abdullah’s best attribute is his fluid change-of-direction ability which helps him consistently makes defenders miss. He’s even more effective because he changes direction while still keeping most of his momentum moving forward.
Abdullah is an exciting player with the potential to both move the chains and be a home-run threat.
4. LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State (Late 1st Round)
LaDarius Perkins is a smaller back who does most of his damage because of his speed. He’s a constant threat to break off long runs and attack the edge. However, Perkins also shows some toughness that resembles what we see from the Atlanta Falcons’ Jaquizz Rodgers.
His commitment to using his hands to pluck the ball out of the air in the passing game increases his value. This makes Perkins a reliable pass-catcher who also features the ability to create in space.
5. Carlos Hyde, Ohio State (2nd Round)
Based on talent alone, Carlos Hyde would be in the mix to come of the board somewhere in the second round. However, his recent arrest and dismissal from the Ohio State football team promises to derail his draft stock.
Hyde still has a chance to be drafted, but he it will take a lot of work to rebuild his reputation.
6. De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon (2nd Round)
De’Anthony Thomas is a very interesting prospect because he doesn’t have a defined position. Oregon uses him all over the field at positions from running back to wide receiver. I put him in the running back category because it’s where his skill set is a better fit.
Thomas is an extremely explosive and fluid athlete. He’s a threat to score a touchdown every time he touches the ball. His best fit at the next level will be with an offensive coordinator creative enough to use him in different roles.
The issue with Thomas is that his slight frame will make it tough for him to take the pounding that comes with being an NFL running back. Durability is something that will always be a concern.
7. Jerome Smith, Syracuse (2nd Round)
Jerome Smith is one of the more talented running backs in this class and he isn’t getting nearly enough attention. Based on the eye test, Smith is a bigger back who excels at working between the tackles. He routinely finishes runs off strong while moving the pile.
However, Smith also features an explosive first step that allows him to shoot through open holes. His effectiveness is helped by the fact he doesn’t hesitate and is committed to getting north and south as fast as possible.
8. Lache Seastrunk, Baylor (Late 2nd Round)
Lache Seastrunk is getting a lot of love in the NFL draft community, but he still has a lot of things to prove this season. Seastrunk is a very talented player who features both good overall speed and quick-twitch ability.
However, he’s not a very decisive runner and has developed the poor habit of moving east to west. Seastrunk needs to make quicker decisions and focus on taking what the defense is giving him.
9. Charles Sims, West Virginia (Late 2nd Round)
Charles Sims is an explosive runner who has big-play ability. He needs to work on running behind his pads more because he tends to expose too much of his frame. However, this is someone who could be a starting running back at the next level.
10. David Fluellen, Toledo (Late 2nd Round)
David Fluellen is a patient runner who waits for his blocks to set up before getting north and south. He has enough quickness to outpace some defensive angles and move the chains. Fluellen also does a good job making himself thin to work between the tackles.
11. Bishop Sankey, Washington (3rd Round)
Bishop Sankey is a solid all-around running back who features quickness and some power. His best attribute is his ability to decipher post-snap information and make the correct decisions. Sankey is a quick-twitch athlete who can press the line in time to get through the hole.
The one concern I have surrounding Sankey is that he doesn’t appear to have a second gear which limits his big-play ability.
12. Brendan Bigelow, California (3rd Round)
Brendan Bigelow is a smaller back who features a ton of quickness. He uses this speed to provide a big-play threat on offense and in the return game. His limited size hurts his ability to run with power and consistently be effective between the tackles.
13. Damien Williams, Oklahoma (4th Round)
Damien Williams has a thin build and lacks great explosiveness. He has decent long-speed but has a limited short-area burst. This keeps him from pressing the hole and consistently moving the ball. In fact, Williams is prone to racking up carries for loss.
14. James Wilder Jr., Florida State (4th Round)
James Wilder Jr. is a shifty runner who does a good job picking his way through traffic. However, he lacks the bulk and quick first step to be a top-notch running back at the next level. That shiftiness also creates some problems as Wilder tends to dance in the backfield.
15. Kenny Hillard, LSU (5th Round)
Kenny Hillard’s strength is his power and ability to move the pile. His thick build and strong lower half makes it tough for defenders to bring him down on first contact. However, Hillard is a little one dimensional and lacks quick-twitch ability.
16. Roderick McDowell, Clemson (5th Round)
Roderick McDowell has the raw abilities to be an effective running back. The issue is that he lacks the instincts and decisiveness to maximize his athleticism. McDowell consistently hesitates in the backfield and makes too many cuts.
17. Silas Redd, USC (5th Round)
Silas Redd is well-known in the NFL draft community and typically seen a potential early-round pick. However, his overall skill set is overrated by most evaluators. Redd doesn’t have the quick-twitch ability or second gear needed to move the ball on a consistent basis.
His limited short-area burst often leads to lost yardage. He’s able to overcome some of these issues because he runs with good effort. His commitment to keeping his legs moving helps him break some tackles.
18. Ben Malena, Texas A&M (5th Round)
Ben Malena showed quickness and a good second gear last season. He now needs to show he can build of last season’s success which was aided by Johnny Manziel and an excellent offensive line.
19. Jay Ajayi, Boise State (6th Round)
Jay Ajayi is a power back who has an upright running style that limits his effectiveness. He isn’t quick enough to play a role other than a short-yardage runner. However, he won’t be effective in that role unless he commits to keeping his pads down.
20. Malcolm Brown, Texas (7th Round)
Malcolm Brown is a one-gear runner who lacks the quickness and change of direction ability to be an effective NFL running back.
21. Antonio Andrews, Western Kentucky (7th Round)
Antonio Andrews is a solid college running back, but doesn’t have a skill that stands out.