College Football Draft Kit: Chubbin' Down the Track

1. Nick Chubb, So., Georgia

Todd Gurley went 10th overall in this year's NFL Draft -- with an injured knee -- and Chubb might be even better. At 5-foot-10, 220, Chubb is a freak athlete and an impeccable running-back specimen with bruising power, breakaway speed and significant upside as a receiver. Chubb was thrust into a workhorse role last year due to Gurley's suspension and then injury, finishing his true freshman season with 1,547 yards (7.1 YPC) and 14 touchdowns on just 219 carries. He added 18 receptions for 213 yards and two scores. With Gurley gone, Chubb will have an even bigger workload to himself, and Georgia returns four starting offensive linemen.

2. Devon Johnson, Sr., Marshall

Johnson was a tight end in spring last year, but come fall he was one of the nation's elite running backs. Johnson has bruising inside running skills at 6-1, 243, yet he showed unmatched big-play ability, totaling 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns on just 206 carries for an incredible 8.6 yards per carry. A November shoulder injury flared up throughout the final five weeks last year, but runners his size are well-suited to big workloads. And any decrease in his rushing average likely will be offset by volume as Marshall relies on Johnson to ease the pain of star quarterback Rakeem Cato's graduation.

3. Marcus Cox, Jr., Appalachian State

Cox's receptions dropped from 43 to 16 last year, but his rushing somehow improved with Appalachian State's move to FBS. Cox, 5-10, 200, finished with 255 carries for 1,415 yards (5.5 YPC) and 19 touchdowns, which means he could be unstoppable if he regains the receiving prowess he showed as a true freshman in 2013 when he totaled 559 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. Appalachian State's returning offense is stacked with experience at every position, so Cox's scoring opportunities could be even more plentiful.

4. Donnel Pumphrey, Jr., San Diego State

If not for a frightening lack of size at just 5-9, 170, Pumphrey would be a top-3 RB. Simply remarkable the last two years, Pumphrey posted 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage as a 155-pound freshman in 2013 before going off for 1,873 yards (6.8 YPC) and 20 touchdowns on the ground alone last year. Pumphrey's size will scare off some fantasy owners, but he should keep rolling this season. All but one of his starting linemen return, and he is too good to be contained by Mountain West defenses.

5. James Conner, Jr., Pittsburgh

Conner, 6-2, 250, returns once again as college football's most feared battering ram, routinely running over defensive front sevens before sprinting away from defensive backs. He showed last year that stacking the box won't slow him, as he ran for 1,765 yards (5.9 YPC) and 26 touchdowns even though Pittsburgh threw only 23.7 passes per game. The Panthers could be a bit more balanced offensively this year, but Conner will continue to get all the work he can handle. Drop him a bit in PPR rankings, though, as he has just eight catches in two years.

6. Corey Clement, Jr., Wisconsin

Clement, 5-11, 217, takes over a Wisconsin RB role that annually produces one of the nation's most productive runners. Clement is more talented than the average Wisconsin running back, though, so he could post huge numbers this year. He has 1,496 yards (7.0 YPC) and 16 touchdowns on the ground in two years, and on just 214 carries. He's more likely to see 250 rushes this year, which should ensure increased production. Clement isn't ranked higher because his quarterbacks are bad, and Alabama could shut down Wisconsin's offense in Week 1.

7. Larry Rose III, So., New Mexico State

Rose, 5-11, 180, lost two games last year to a tweaked knee and a concussion, but he posted big numbers when healthy. He finished with 1,102 yards (5.9 YPC) and nine touchdowns on just 186 carries last year, adding 23 receptions for 172 yards and a 10th touchdown. He should benefit from an improved offense as quarterback Tyler Rogers enters his second year as starter, and the Aggies bring back all but one of their starting offensive linemen. New Mexico State tends to be unstable year to year, which hurts Rose's ranking, but he looks too good to be held back. He's already proven capable of elite numbers in a less than ideal setting.

8. Robert Lowe, Sr., Texas State

Lowe followed a 1,111-yard, 10-touchdown season in 2013 with 1,298 yards and 13 touchdowns from scrimmage last year. He should have his best season yet as a senior this year, as Terrence Franks graduated after running for 712 yards and eight touchdowns on 107 carries last season. Considering he received 185 carries last year, Lowe could approach 230 carries without Franks. Lowe's touchdown rate should improve this year, too, as third-year starting quarterback Tyler Jones looks to be one of the best quarterbacks outside the Power Five conferences.

9. Jarvion Franklin, So., Western Michigan

Franklin's true freshman season was a mammoth success last year, as the 6-0, 220-pound back shouldered 306 carries, most among returning running backs, for 1,551 yards (5.1 YPC) and 24 touchdowns. He added 14 catches for 163 yards and a score. His 5.1 yards per carry could improve, but any inefficiency is offset by both his high workload and high touchdown rate (5th in scrimmage TD last season). And Franklin should continue to receive scoring opportunities thanks to a big-play passing game led by elite wideout Corey Davis.

10. Elijah McGuire, Jr., Louisiana-Lafayette

If you're looking for the 2015 version of a Melvin Gordon-Tevin Coleman type -- a running back who can average 7.5 yards per carry as a workhorse -- McGuire is as good a bet as any. He's been one of the nation's most consistent big-play threats the last two years, posting 863 yards in 2013 at 8.4 yards per carry before totaling 1,264 yards in 2014 at 7.6 yards per carry. McGuire, 5-11, 198, is also an elite receiver, as he has 67 catches for 852 yards and five touchdowns the last two years. McGuire should see a noticeably bigger workload this season, too, as Alonzo Harris graduated after 371 carries the last two years.

11. Kareem Hunt, Jr., Toledo

Hunt is likely to be overvalued this season. Great as he is, his 8.0 yards per carry is not sustainable, which means he'll need more attempts if he's to reach 1,600 yards in consecutive years. That seems unlikely, though, because Toledo discovered two very good backups in Terry Swanson and Damion Jones-Moore when Hunt missed more than three games with an ankle injury last season. Swanson and DJM combined for 1,192 yards (6.2 YPC) and 12 touchdowns, which will allow Toledo to lighten Hunt's workload this season to keep him healthy. Also, Hunt has yet to make an impact as a receiver, so he can't afford to lose much rushing production.

12. Ezekiel Elliott, Jr., Ohio State

The betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy, Elliott's likely to be overpriced in drafts. Elliot is an elite talent in what should be the nation's best offense, but the Buckeyes have so many playmakers they don't need to consistently lean on him. Elliott did not have more than 12 carries until his fourth game last year, and in six games he saw 13 or fewer rushes. He's a safe bet for big numbers when Ohio State plays a formidable opponent, but there are surprisingly few on the schedule. The Buckeyes likely will be at least 14-point favorites in eight games this year, so predicting Elliot's biggest games might be more difficult than assumed.

13. Nick Wilson, So., Arizona

A top running back recruit last year, Wilson entered Week 1 as the backup to senior Terris Jones-Grigsby. By Week 2, though, the Arizona backfield was his. Wilson finished with 1,375 yards (5.8 YPC) and 16 touchdowns on 236 carries -- not bad for a guy who began the season on the bench. Wilson, 5-10, 199, could see his workload increase with Jones-Grigsby graduated, and the Arizona offense should remain favorable. Quarterback Anu Solomon is back, and the Wildcats have various playmaking receivers who can get Wilson to the red zone regularly.

14. Kenneth Dixon, Sr., Louisiana Tech

You know the running back class is deep when you find Dixon this far down the board. While 28-touchdown running backs are hard to find, Dixon's 2014 seems like a best-case scenario. Dixon barely averaged 18 carries per game last year -- a modest figure for top-tier backs -- and his touchdown rate of one per 11.5 rushes (22 on 253) likely will regress if his four-score 2013 meant anything. Similarly, six receiving touchdowns on 30 receptions is unlikely to repeat. Finally, note that Dixon posted his numbers over 14 games -- he'll only play 12 in the fantasy season. It's also fair to wonder whether new quarterback Jeff Driskel is capable of running the offense.

15. Paul Perkins, Jr., UCLA

In terms of talent, Perkins, 5-11, 198, might be one of the nation's most underrated backs. He finished last season with 1,575 yards and nine touchdowns on just 251 carries (6.3 YPC), and now he'll get the chance to prove himself with star quarterback Brett Hundley in the NFL. The Bruins likely will lean more on their running backs this season while true freshman quarterback Josh Rosen acclimates, and Perkins figures to get a large share of the double-digit rushing touchdowns Hundley posted. He's also one of the nation's most skilled receivers at the position. UCLA returns its entire offensive line, setting up Perkins for a big year.

16. Ray Lawry, So., Old Dominion

Lawry, 5-10, 205, began his freshman season last year as the backup to Gerard Johnson, but by October he had taken over a workhorse role. In the Monarchs' final seven games, Lawry ran for 792 yards (7.0 YPC) and 12 touchdowns on just 114 carries. He also showed plus receiving skills by snagging 12 passes for 126 yards in the final five games. Old Dominion returns its entire offensive line, so Lawry's high-level efficiency should continue despite the graduation of longtime star quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

17. Derrick Henry, Jr., Alabama

With T.J. Yeldon gone to the NFL, Henry will finally get his chance to take over the Alabama backfield this year. Perhaps the nation's most intimidating size-speed specimen, the 6-3, 242-pound Henry has an enormous build for a running back, yet he has the long speed and explosiveness most backs 40 pounds lighter wish they had. It only took 205 carries the last two years for Henry to gain 1,372 yards -- 6.7 yards per carry -- and 14 touchdowns. Henry had 172 carries last year and could push for 220 this year as Yeldon leaves 194 behind.

18. Leonard Fournette, So., LSU

Last year's most-hyped recruit, Fournette did not disappoint. Indeed, all he did was fan the flames of hype by running for 1,034 yards (5.5 YPC) and 10 touchdowns on just 187 carries. LSU lost running backs Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard, who combined for 202 rushes, to graduation, paving the way for Fournette to push for 20 carries per game this season. At 6-1, 230, with big-play athleticism, Fournette could outproduce his draft day price with a huge workload. The only thing that might limit his fantasy value is LSU's passing game. Tigers quarterbacks were hideous last year, so Fournette might need to move the chains himself.

19. Devontae Booker, Sr., Utah

Booker, 5-11, 212, might lead the position in touches this year, as coach Kyle Whittingham said this offseason that the running back will get 30-35 per game. That seems unrealistic after Utah averaged 72.6 plays per game last year, but even 30 touches per game would give him the opportunity for huge numbers. Last season, he piled up 1,880 yards and 12 touchdowns on 25.7 touches per game. A heavier workload, though, increases injury risk, and Booker probably won't get much help from the offense. With the erratic Travis Wilson at quarterback, defenses will aim first to stop Booker.

20. Samaje Perine, So., Oklahoma

Perine was incredible as a true freshman last year, but that could make him overvalued this season. Perine took 263 carries for 1,713 yards (6.5 YPC) and 21 touchdowns, including five touchdowns and an NCAA-record 427 yards against Kansas. But this season, Oklahoma likely will throw much more than it did last year after hiring former East Carolina offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley as the new playcaller. Compounding the problem is Oklahoma's wealth of running back talent, with backup Alex Ross a potential star and redshirt freshman Joe Mixon a top recruit from 2014. Between likely reduced carries and the crowded backfield, Perine might not approach last year's numbers, spectacular as he might be.

21. Marteze Waller, Sr., Fresno State

Waller, 5-11, 209, rushed for 1,368 yards (6.1 YPC) and 11 touchdowns last season despite playing in a Fresno State offense that was consistently held back by terrible quarterback play. Waller might have a hard time matching that efficiency if his situation doesn't improve this year -- and there's no reason to think it will -- but a bigger workload should stabIlize his fantasy value. The now-graduated Josh Quezada stole 134 carries last year, paving the way for Waller to get perhaps 20 carries a game this year after averaging about 16 per game in 2014.

22. Zack Langer, Sr., Tulsa

Langer, 6-0, 215, figures to be undervalued in drafts this summer. With Philip Montgomery and his Baylor-style attack taking over the offense, Langer should get a ton of work as the lead runner. Despite Baylor's reputation as a pass-happy program, it was actually one of the most run-heavy under Montgomery's watch, ranking top-15 nationally in rush attempts in each of his three years as coordinator. Langer ran for 801 yards (4.1 YPC) and four touchdowns in a barely functional Tulsa offense last year. With an improved offense and four returning linemen, he should finish his Tulsa career with big numbers.

23. Royce Freeman, So., Oregon

Unlike most of the nation's top backs, Freeman's ceiling is relatively modest in an Oregon offense loaded with playmakers. The flip side of the coin is an extremely high floor, however. Freeman is the top running back in one of the nation's most prolific offenses and will play a lead scoring role in the team's likely sixth consecutive season with 45-plus points per game. But Freeman's 252 carries for 1,365 yards (5.4 YPC) and 18 touchdowns last year were inflated by a 15-game schedule, as he averaged just 16.8 carries per game. And an increase doesn't seem likely with junior Thomas Tyner primed for a bigger role this year. The Ducks also lost three starting linemen, including two high NFL draft picks.

24. Aaron Jones, Jr., UTEP

Jones, 5-10, 185, is one of the best running backs outside the Power Five conferences, with two excellent seasons on his resume. After running for 811 yards (5.2 YPC) and four touchdowns in nine games as a freshman, Jones went off for 1,321 yards (5.5 YPC) and 11 touchdowns last year, adding 30 catches for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Jones' injury history makes him a risky fantasy play, though. His 2013 freshman year ended with a rib injury, and he missed a game last season with a knee injury. Still, if Jones plays a full season, he will prove a fantasy bargain.

25. Leon Allen, Sr., Western Kentucky

Allen was one of the best fantasy assets last year, rushing for 1,542 yards (5.7 YPC) and 13 touchdowns with 51 receptions for 476 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-0, 235-pound workhorse has three-down skills in an offense that will be among the nation's highest scoring. But his role is in some question after two offseason public intoxication episodes. Another concern is backup runner Anthony Wales, who could push for a bigger role after impressing with 518 yards and five touchdowns on just 82 carries last year (6.3 YPC). Check Allen's disciplinary status closer to the year, and move him into the top 20 if he escapes suspension.

26. Kalif Phillips, Jr., Charlotte
27. Aaron Green, Sr., TCU
28. Dalvin Cook, So., Florida State
29. Matt Breida, Jr., Georgia Southern
30. Justin Jackson, So., Northwestern
31. Anthone Taylor, Sr., Buffalo
32. Travis Greene, Sr., Bowling Green
33. Kenneth Farrow, Sr., Houston
34. Storm Woods, Sr., Oregon State
35. Christian McCaffrey, So., Stanford
36. A.J. Ouellette, So., Ohio
37. Jovon Robinson, Jr., Auburn
38. Josh Ferguson, Sr., Illinois
39. Russell Hansbrough, Sr., Missouri
40. Shock Linwood, Jr., Baylor
41. Brandon Radcliff, Jr., Louisville
42. Daniel Lasco, Sr., California
43. Michael Gordon, Sr., Arkansas State
44. Mike Boone, So., Cincinnati
45. DeAndre Washington, Sr., Texas Tech
46. Chris Carson, Jr., Oklahoma State
47. Jonathan Williams, Sr., Arkansas
48. Johnathan Gray, Sr., Texas
49. Alex Collins, Jr., Arkansas
50. Jonathan Hilliman, So., Boston College
51. Marlon Mack, So., South Florida
52. Marquez Grayson, So., East Carolina
53. Terrell Newby, Jr., Nebraska
54. Kelvin Taylor, Jr., Florida
55. Joel Bouagnon, Jr., Northern Illinois