Running Backs Rookies
FantasyData has created an NFL draft prospect page which features the top projected rookies by position. However, I wanted to go one step further, so I have compiled my top six rookie running backs that you will need to know entering 2019. Make sure you keep an eye on their landing spots throughout the NFL Draft.
Quick Links:
- 8 Rookie WR’s to Know for Fantasy in 2019
- 2019 NFL Draft Positional Rankings
- NFL Prospect Rankings 2019
1. Josh Jacobs – Alabama
Measurements
- Height: 5 ft 10 in
- Weight: 220lbs
- Arms: 32”
- Age: 21
- Did not participate in drills
Analysis:
Jacobs was one of the biggest winners from the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine because frankly it essentially entrenched him as the consensus number one running back of this draft class. He was the number one going in and no other running back did enough to elevate their status ahead of Jacobs. But should Jacobs be the number one ranked running back in this class for fantasy? In terms of potential and upside the answer is yes. There are a few reasons why.
First Jacobs possesses elite skills as a receiver. Alabama would often flex him outside and into the slot on specific plays to use as a receiver running wide receiver routes. In total Jacobs compiled 48 receptions in his three seasons at the college level. Jacobs is also a very elusive runner with the ball in his hands. He ranked in the top seven of this class in both elusive rating and yards after contact per attempt (4.07) with a minimum of 120 carries. Many advocates for Jacobs also love the fact that he only has just north of 250 carries at the college level; there is much less wear on his tires. Realistically, Jacobs’ total college production is not elite, but his draft hype is because he played for Alabama and he does possess explosiveness and elusiveness through his game tape. He rarely gets tackled on the first contact. Once Alabama has their pro day however, things could change more in favor of Jacobs if his workout tests match what most analysts see on film.
2. Damien Harris – Alabama
Measurements
- Height: 5 ft 10 in
- Weight: 216 lbs
- Arms: 31″
- Age: 22
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.49
- Bench Press: 16
- Vertical Jump: 37.0
- Broad Jump: 121
Analysis:
Unlike Jacobs, Harris did participate at the 2019 NFL Combine and performed well enough. He rushed for back to back 1,000-yard seasons in his sophomore and junior years followed by 876 rushing yards his senior year. Fantasy owners should get excited about Harris because he was extremely productive at the college level rushing for 6.6 yards/carry (87th percentile).
Over his last three seasons at Alabama, Pro Football Focus or PFF totaled Harris avoiding 22, 33, and 32 tackles; ranking outside the top 50 every single year. To put it in perspective, other 2019 draft prospects David Montgomery and Devin Singletary both avoided 96 tackles just in 2018. In 2016 and 201 7 however, Harris ranked 25th and 4th overall in elusive rating for college running backs with at least 135 carries. That fell significantly in 2018 down to 73rd in elusive rating. Harris on film initiates contact more to defeat a defender rather than perform a juke on one. Harris is the safer prospect of the two Alabama running backs.
3. Justice Hill – Oklahoma State
Measurements
- Height: 5 ft 10 in
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Arms: 32″
- Age: 21
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.40
- Bench Press: 21
- Vertical Jump: 40.0
- Broad Jump: 130
Analysis:
No running back increased their draft stock more than Hill post-NFL Combine. His 4.40 ranked in the 97th percentile and his Burst Score ranked in the 95 percentile taking his vertical and broad jumps into consideration via PlayerProfiler.com. However, Hill’s college yards/carry (5.7. 58th percentile) and his elusive rating via PFF (14th minimum 158 carries) don’t exactly blow you away as scores. It’s hard to see Hill necessarily dominating a backfield, but more to
One thing to note regarding Hill is he was better in 2017 than in 2018. He had 268 carries for 1,467 yards in an Oklahoma State offense that ranked 4th out of 130 schools in the nation. In 2018 however in a worse overall offense minus quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receivers James Washington and Marcell Ateman? They ranked 13th.
In 2017, Hill out of running backs with a minimum of 260 carries he ranked fifth in rushing attempts over 15 yards (25) and 10 yards (46), seventh in avoided tackles (50), eighth in yards after contact per rush (3.19), and sixth in yards per rushing attempt (5.5). Interestingly enough Hill’s 2017 campaign saw a huge market share in touches of the Oklahoma State offense. His total of 299 touches was second in the 2019 class in 2017 to only Singletary. Total market share is indicative of future success because teams will often give the ball to the best players. In 2017 if you look at the guys with the most total touches. The top five: Justin Jackson, Philip Lindsay, Kerryon Johnson, Rashaad Penny, and Diocemy Saint Juste, four of which were fantasy relevant in 2018 at the NFL level.
4. David Montgomery – Iowa State
Measurements
- Height: 5 ft 10 in
- Weight: 222 lbs
- Arms: 31″
- Age: 21
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.63
- Bench Press: 15
- Vertical Jump: 38.5
- Broad Jump: 121
Analysis:
No player with at least 158 carries, avoided more tackles after a rushing attempt than David Montgomery (99) in 2018. This statistic is also not any type of outlier for Montgomery either as he led the entire NCAA in avoided tackles in both 2018 and 2017. Of the running backs in the 2019 Draft Class, Montgomery may objectively be the best at avoiding tackles.
The overall college production is there for Montgomery with back to back 1,000 yard rushing seasons his final two seasons. However, his yards per
He also disappointed at the combine failing to show or match the athletic profile many analysts hope to see after watching Montgomery on film. All his workout metrics fell below the 47th percentile via PlayerProfiler.com
5. Darrell Henderson – Memphis
Measurements
- Height: 5 ft 8 in
- Weight: 208 lbs
- Arms: 31″
- Age: 21
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.49
- Bench Press: 22
- Vertical Jump: 33.5
- Broad Jump: 121
Analysis:
According to PFF, Henderson accumulated the most yards (1,909) on designed runs of the entire 2019 Draft Class in his final collegiate season. His yards per attempt (8.9) ranked first, his rushing touchdowns (22) ranked first (tied with Singletary), runs over 10 plus yards ranked second, total yards after contact ranked first (1,318), and yards after contact/attempt (6.16) ranked first. Henderson also has the second highest elusive rating by PFF of all the 2019 running backs.
His college dominator rating (77th percentile) and college yards per
6. Rodney Anderson – Oklahoma
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 0 in
- Weight: 224 lbs
- Arms: 31″
- Age: 22
- Did not participate in drills
Analysis:
The biggest knock on Anderson at this time is obviously his health. But how good was he before the injuries started to pile up? Well, his college yards per
Besides those numbers, there is little else to work off outside of his 2017 film. Anderson has been plagued by injuries that include an ACL tear, a neck injury and a broken fibula in 2015. Other than that, he’s been the picture of health (jokes).
Honorable Mentions:
Alex Barnes – Kansas State, Travis Homer – Miami, Miles Sanders – Penn State, Devin Singletary – Florida Atlantic, James Williams – Washington State
