For the second installment of the 2018 NFL Draft rankings comes the running backs; a position that once again has value at draft time.
1 Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Barkley has it all; he has great speed, outstanding vision. The Nittany Lion is very elusive; he has a lot of power and good reliable hands. He could use some work in the pass blocking department. The Penn State product is the best running back prospect to come out within the last couple of years, edging Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, and Todd Gurley as a prospect. This rock-toter just might be the best player in this entire draft.
2 Sony Michel, Georgia
Michel is very similar to last year’s Alvin Kamara in the way he runs, but Michel is even more explosive. This Bulldog has excellent vision and he is a huge home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Michel has solid pass-blocking ability and is very reliable as a pass catcher. Michel doesn’t shy away from contact and can be an effective inside and outside-runner.
3 Derrius Guice, LSU
Guice wasn’t at 100% for most of the season, still, he made an impact. Guice is a decisive runner who can carry a heavy workload. He has a great combination of speed, power, and balance. The Tiger runs with aggressiveness and explosiveness but can also make a defender miss with cuts and spins. Impressive lateral quickness and vision. He needs to get better as a pass catcher and as a pass blocker.
4 Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
Johnson is not only fast but his ability to shift gears on the same play is uncanny. One second the star is practicing patience following blocks and in the blink of an eye accelerates to hit a hole or run through someone. He shows great vision and patience. The prospect is a tough runner who is always willing to go for the extra yard. Johnson understands protections and blocks well. The Huntsville Native is a factor in the passing game as well; his style of play combined with his frame could lead to durability issues. Sometimes the SEC Player of the Year waits too long for a block and the play gets stuffed by the defense.
5 Ronald Jones II, USC
Jones has exceptional speed and makes the most ridiculous cuts while maintaining top speed. The track star also has great vision and runs through defenders even with his relatively small frame. Jones can bend the corner easily and runs better with outside runs. He was somewhat underused as a pass catcher. He can hit home-run from anywhere on the field and he rarely gets tackled from behind. Underrated power when running.
6 Nick Chubb, Georgia
7 Royce Freeman, Oregon
8 Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
9 Josh Adams, Notre Dame
10 Bo Scarbrough, Alabama
Honorable mention: Jaylen Samuels, NC State
Eric Kirschenbaum is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
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