NFL Draft 2024: Strengths and weaknesses of Top Running Back Prospects
As the NFL Draft approaches, teams are evaluating the top running back prospects. Here’s a look at the key strengths and weaknesses of some of the leading contenders:
Ashton Jeanty (Boise State): Powerful Runner with Durability Concerns
Best Attribute: Jeanty’s remarkable contact balance allows him to absorb hits and break tackles, making him a punishing runner who consistently gains extra yards.
Biggest Drawback: Jeanty’s extensive snap count in college (over 1,600 snaps in three seasons) raises concerns about his long-term durability and potential for early career decline,mirroring the injury struggles of backs like Saquon Barkley.
omarion Hampton (North Carolina): A Downhill force
Best Attribute: Hampton excels as a downhill runner, combining strength, toughness, and a compact frame to consistently gain yards after contact. His ability to break arm tackles and fall forward makes him a reliable workhorse.
Biggest Drawback: Hampton lacks creativity and doesn’t frequently enough elude defenders with fancy moves. He tends to seek contact, which can limit perhaps explosive runs.
TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio state): Explosive Playmaker
Best Attribute: Henderson possesses elite burst and acceleration, enabling him to hit holes quickly and generate long runs. His ability to reach top speed rapidly puts defenses on thier heels.
Biggest Drawback: Henderson’s vision can be a liability. His tendency to prioritize big plays overreading blocks or selecting the correct running lane leads to missed opportunities and plays stifled at the line.
Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State): Patient and Powerful
Best Attribute: Judkins demonstrates exceptional patience and vision, allowing him to read blocks effectively and burst through open holes with power. His sharp cuts and contact balance enable him to consistently gain yardage.
Biggest Drawback: Judkins lacks breakaway speed, which limits his potential for turning long runs into touchdowns. He is often caught from behind.
Kaleb Johnson (Iowa): Size and speed combination
Best Attribute: Johnson is a great combination of size and speed.
Biggest Drawback: Johnson needs to improve his pass-catching ability.
As college football programs gear up for the 2024 season, scouts are closely evaluating running back talent, identifying players with the potential to considerably impact their teams. A detailed look at several standout athletes reveals their key strengths and areas for improvement.
Evaluating College Football’s Rising Running Back Stars
Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses of Top Prospects
College football fans and analysts are always on the lookout for the next breakout stars. When it comes to the running back position, several names have emerged with tantalizing potential, each possessing a unique blend of skills. But along with the strengths, weaknesses exist that could influence their effectiveness.Let’s break down five running backs to watch:
Audric Estimé (Notre Dame)
Strengths: Size and Power
Estimé,standing at 6’0″ and weighing 224 pounds,possesses the ideal size and power for a running back. His physical attributes allow him to break tackles and gain tough yards between the tackles. He also demonstrates surprising breakaway speed, making him a threat in the open field.
Weaknesses: Lateral Agility
While Estimé showcases adequate straight-line speed, his lateral agility is an area of concern. His limited elusiveness in tight spaces hinders his ability to make defenders miss and create explosive plays when the initial running lane is congested. This lack of agility could impact his ability to consistently generate big plays.
Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
Strengths: Center of Gravity
Skattebo’s low center of gravity makes him a formidable force to bring down. His compact build, combined with power and high-energy running style, allows him to absorb contact and continue moving forward. This physical style enables him to gain tough yards even when the blocking is subpar.
weaknesses: Explosiveness
while Skattebo excels in power and balance, his lack of explosiveness prevents him from consistently outrunning defenders in the open field. His game revolves more around grinding out tough yards rather than delivering long touchdown runs, limiting his potential for game-changing plays.
Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
Strengths: Acceleration
Sampson possesses exceptional burst from the moment he receives the ball. His rapid acceleration allows him to exploit small openings and turn them into important gains. This fast frist step makes him a hazardous playmaker,especially in open space,reminiscent of Dalvin cook.
Weaknesses: Pass Protection
sampson’s smaller frame limits his effectiveness in pass protection. He struggles to effectively block blitzing defenders,and his technique requires improvement. This liability on passing downs could limit his playing time and versatility, preventing him from being a complete three-down back.
D.J. Giddens (Kansas State)
Strengths: Agility
Giddens displays impressive footwork for a larger running back. His agility allows him to make sharp cuts and change direction rapidly without losing momentum. This elusiveness makes him difficult to bring down in space and effective at avoiding defenders in tight running lanes, making him a formidable threat.
Weaknesses: Pass Protection
Despite his strength and power as a runner, Giddens’ pass protection technique and awareness need refinement. He can struggle to pick up blitzes or sustain blocks against stronger defenders, which reduces his effectiveness on passing downs.Improving in this area is crucial for him to become a more complete player.
Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
Strengths: Speed
Tuten’s exceptional speed is undeniable, highlighted by his impressive 4.32-second 40-yard dash time. This speed translates directly to the field, where he consistently outruns opposing defenses. His rapid acceleration allows him to quickly reach top speed, making him a constant threat to break off long runs.
Weaknesses: Decisiveness
Tuten occasionally exhibits a tendency to bounce runs outside instead of trusting his blockers and following the designed play. This can lead to missed opportunities for efficient gains between the A and B gaps. Improving his decisiveness and trusting his blocking will be crucial for maximizing his potential.
Ollie Gordon II: Powerhouse running Back with NFL Potential
Ollie Gordon II, the Oklahoma State standout, is drawing attention for his NFL potential, particularly his exceptional physicality. Though, scouts also note areas for improvement in his running style to maximize his impact at the next level.
Strengths: Relentless Physicality and Power
Gordon excels at breaking tackles and overpowering defenders. His punishing running style allows him to wear down defenses and consistently gain yards after contact. this makes him a valuable asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations,where his ability to impose his will is a significant advantage. He profiles as a true three-down back,capable of contributing in all facets of the running game.
Weaknesses: High Pad Level and Limited Elusiveness
Despite his impressive power, Gordon’s upright running style can be a liability. Running with a high pad level makes him a more accessible target for defenders, potentially leading to easier tackles. His lack of elusive maneuvers to evade defenders can limit his effectiveness in the open field. Moreover, running tall exposes him to greater punishment and increases the risk of injury. He will likely need to improve his ability to lower his pad level and develop more agility to succeed at the next level.
Beyond physical traits, what intangible qualities (like work ethic or football IQ) are crucial for a running back’s success in the NFL?
NFL Draft 2024: Running Back Prospect Q&A
Here’s a breakdown of the top running back prospects, addressing common questions and providing insights to help you understand their potential impact on the NFL.
Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
Q: what makes Jeanty a promising prospect?
A: Jeanty’s exceptional contact balance allows him to absorb hits and gain extra yards. His ability to break tackles makes him a punishing runner.
Q: What are the main concerns with Jeanty?
A: Durability is a key concern due to his high snap count in college. This raises the risk of early career decline or injury.
Omarion Hampton (North carolina)
Q: What is Hampton good at?
A: He excels as a downhill runner, known for his strength and toughness. His compact frame allows him to consistently gain yards after contact.
Q: What are Hampton’s weaknesses?
A: He lacks creativity and doesn’t frequently elude defenders. He tends to seek contact which can limit explosive plays.
TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio state)
Q: What is Henderson’s greatest strength?
A: He possesses elite burst and acceleration, enabling him to quickly hit holes and generate long runs.
Q: What are the main issues with Henderson?
A: His vision can be a liability. His tendency to prioritize big plays over reading blocks can lead to missed opportunities.
Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
Q: What are Judkins’ strengths?
A: Judkins demonstrates exceptional patience and vision, allowing him to read blocks effectively. He is also powerful, with sharp cuts and contact balance.
Q: What is Judkins’ main weakness?
A: He lacks breakaway speed, which limits his potential for long runs and touchdowns.
Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
Q: What are Johnson’s strengths?
A: He has a great combination of size and speed.
Q: What does Johnson need to improve?
A: He needs to improve his pass-catching ability.
Audric Estimé (Notre Dame)
Q: What are estimé’s strengths?
A: He possesses the ideal size and power for a running back, standing at 6’0″ and weighing 224 pounds. His physical attributes allow him to break tackles and gain tough yards.
Q: What is Estimé’s main weakness?
A: His lateral agility. His limited elusiveness in tight spaces hinders his ability to make defenders miss.
Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
Q: What is Skattebo’s greatest strength?
A: His low center of gravity, making him a formidable force to bring down. His compact build, combined with power and high-energy running style, allows him to absorb contact.
Q: What are Skattebo’s weaknesses?
A: His lack of explosiveness, which limits his potential for long touchdown runs.
Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
Q: What is Sampson’s best attribute?
A: Exceptional acceleration, allowing him to exploit small openings.
Q: What are Sampson’s weaknesses?
A: His smaller frame limits his effectiveness in pass protection.
D.J. Giddens (Kansas state)
Q: What are Giddens’ strengths?
A: Displaying remarkable footwork and agility.
Q: What does Giddens need to improve?
A: Pass protection technique and awareness.
Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
Q: What is Tuten’s greatest asset?
A: exceptional speed, highlighted by his impressive 40-yard dash time.
Q: What is Tuten’s main weakness?
A: A tendency to bounce runs outside instead of trusting his blockers.
Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
Q: What are Gordon’s strengths?
A: Relentless physicality and power, excelling at breaking tackles.
Q: What are Gordon’s weaknesses?
A: Running with a high pad level and limited elusiveness.
These running backs bring unique skillsets to the table. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help you better appreciate their potential impact on the NFL. Keep an eye on these players as the draft approaches!
