NFL Draft: QB/RB Dynasty Rankings

With the Combine concluded, here is an updated list of dynasty rookie QB/RB rankings. Look for the WR/TE portion to go up on Tuesday or Wednesday. These rankings will be the last update before the draft, but things will of course shake up again once we know where any of these guys are actually playing.

The players are listed in descending projected fantasy value, and each player will have an NFL comparison with a round projection in the 2017 draft.

QB

1. Deshaun Watson, Clemson (6-foot-3, 221 pounds)

I don't know what to make of the concerns over Watson's throwing velocity at the Combine and the Clemson pro day, but my instinct is to mostly ignore them. Watching Watson's tape, it's hard to find an inadequacy in his velocity. His arm isn't a cannon like what Pat Mahomes has, but Watson routinely threaded tight windows thanks to his combination of anticipation and spatial intelligence. Watson's arm might limit him from thriving in certain schemes, but those schemes probably weren't interested in him to begin with.

Meanwhile, Watson showed well with his accuracy at the Combine, and showed the workout metrics (4.66-second 40-yard dash, 119-inch broad jump, 6.95-second three-cone) necessary to project as a unique running threat in the NFL. Considering the way his athleticism forces defenses to alter contain and spy coverages, Watson's accuracy and athleticism probably offset any arm limitations.

Comparison: Jeff Garcia
Round: 1

2. Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech (6-foot-2, 225 pounds)

For at least one year, the days of categorically ignoring Texas Tech quarterbacks are over. Mahomes is a legitimate NFL starting quarterback prospect, and one with considerable upside. While I don't think he projects to the NFL as easily as DeShone Kizer, Mahomes might have the best all-around tools in the class. There's a good chance he has the strongest arm in the draft, and he's also a standout athlete, finishing the Combine with a 4.8-second 40, 114-inch broad jump, 6.88-second three-cone, and 4.08-second 20-yard shuttle.

The Texas Tech offense cheapens the significance of such numbers, but feel free to marvel at the fact that Mahomes threw for 11,252 yards (8.3 YPA), 93 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions in 32 career games, with a completion percentage of 63.5. He also ran for 22 touchdowns over the last two years.

Even if you're creeped out by the fact that Mahomes played in an Air Raid scheme, you have to admit that this is an explosive prospect.

Comparison: Donovan McNabb
Round: 1

3. Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina (6-foot-2, 223 pounds)

Trubisky's stock seems higher among NFL and mainstream media types than it is among the draft internet community, which was definitely the case for Blake Bortles in 2014. I'm somewhere in the middle – I rate Trubisky higher than I did Bortles, but less than I would Kizer. The main issue with Trubisky is that he played in a North Carolina system that made non-entities like Marquise Williams and Bryn Renner look great as starters. Certain NFL tasks and scenarios were precluded by the system, so Trubisky is pretty much all projection aside from his physical traits.

As far as the physical tools go, though, Trubisky has all you need. NFL teams would prefer 6-foot-4 over 6-foot-2, but Trubisky's frame is well-developed for his height, and his height is at least satisfactory. Trubisky confirmed his excellence as an athlete at the Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds while posting a 6.87-second three-cone. Indeed, Trubisky is a great runner for a quarterback, and that fact gives him a nice floor as a dynasty asset given the passing struggles that are likely to await him early in his career.

Comparison: Blake Bortles
Round: 1

4. DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame (6-foot-4, 233 pounds)

Kizer is my favorite quarterback in the draft for real NFL projection, but in fantasy I doubt he'll run enough to present the upside of guys like Watson, Mahomes, and Trubisky. He's certainly capable of doing damage as a runner – check out his 79-yard touchdown run against Temple in 2015 – but Kizer's instinct is to stay in the pocket when he's not executing a designed run.

Kizer's accuracy isn't where I'd like it to be yet, but there's still developmental upside to project here. Kizer just turned 21 in January, and his superb 2015 season in particular gives reason to think his ceiling is substantial. In the meantime, he's a big, athletic quarterback with strong mechanics and natural instincts in the pocket.

Comparison: Carson Wentz
Round: 1

5. Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech (6-foot-3, 232 pounds)

Evans has a lower floor than a couple guys I'm ranking behind him – Nathan Peterman and Davis Webb – but I feel compelled to rank him here due to his fantasy upside. He was quite simply great as a first-year player in coach Justin Fuente's system last year, the same system that Paxton Lynch played in at Memphis. Evans was more productive, but most seem to completely disregard the fact.

I'll admit Evans isn't as good of a prospect as Lynch was, but even if I did think so, his projected draft position dictates that the fact likely wouldn't matter due to lower playing time projections. Evans will face skepticism for his decision to go pro after just one year at the Division I level, and his background as a running quarterback will likely be held against him, too.

Why? I don't know. Evans is as big as any quarterback in this draft, shows a strong arm, hits downfield targets at an impressive rate, and is a dangerous slashing threat as a runner. His progressions and defensive reads may be raw or even inadequate, but those are the only possible issues with him, and they apply to almost every quarterback you see in any draft. Although I can't talk myself into criticizing Evans, I have to acknowledge the fact that I'm on an island here and price him accordingly.

Comparison: Brett Hundley
Round: 3-6

6. Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh (6-foot-2, 226 pounds)

The fact that Peterman couldn't win a starting job at Tennessee should not be held against him – Joshua Dobbs was one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC the past three years, and there wasn't much Peterman could have done about it. When he got to Pittsburgh, moreover, Peterman was consistently promising.

There's not much in his profile that hints of upside, but the satisfactory marks he earns start to pile up and make him difficult to dismiss. Peterman is good at sensing and avoiding the rush, and he does a good job of keeping his eyes on his receivers as he manages pressure. The size, arm strength, and athleticism don't jump out at you, but he still seems competent in all regards.

In throwing for 5,142 yards (8.3 YPA), 47 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over the last two years, Peterman completed 61.1 percent of his passes despite regularly throwing the ball downfield. Indeed, Peterman's 2016 season was quite impressive for its downfield production – lead wideout Jester Weah averaged 14.8 yards per target and 24.2 yards per catch on 36 receptions, yet the next two leading pass catchers were a slow tight end (Scott Orndoff) and power running back James Conner. That means defenses more or less knew Pittsburgh had only one dangerous receiver, yet Peterman kept hitting him deep anyway.

Comparison: Andy Dalton
Round: 2

7. Davis Webb, California (6-foot-5, 229 pounds)

Webb is a big quarterback with lots of experience playing a gunslinger role out of the shotgun after starting at Texas Tech and California, and he often showed uncommon arm strength in the process. His height and arm strength are all a lot of influential NFL people need to see to start swooning over a quarterback, even if he can't read a defense or throw with consistent accuracy.

Comparison: Tom Savage
Round: 2-3

8. Seth Russell, Baylor (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) (WR)

I think Russell lacks the accuracy to play quarterback in the NFL, but I'm highly intrigued by his potential at receiver. Russell has excellent size for the position and, if you'd believe the workout numbers posted by Baylor, there's also reason to suspect Russell is a high-grade athlete among receivers.

According to Baylor, Russell was timed at 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and he posted jumps of 41 inches in the vertical and 124 in the broad jump. For what it's worth, Baylor listed KD Cannon with a 4.46 40, 40-inch vertical, and 128-inch broad jump. At the Combine, Cannon posted a 4.41-second 40, 37-inch vertical, and 119-inch broad jump. If you apply the same handicaps to Russell's school workout numbers, that would leave him with something like a 4.45-second 40, 38-inch vertical, and 115-inch broad jump.

Round: 5-UDFA

9. Brad Kaaya, Miami (FL) (6-foot-4, 214 pounds)

My guess is that Kaaya is just a backup or below average starter in the NFL. He certainly had a fine college career, earning a starting role as a true freshman before totaling 9,968 yards (8.4 YPA), 69 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in 38 games. But in terms of tools, Kaaya mostly seems like a lesser version of Jared Goff. I expect him to stick around the league a long time, but I don't see him being a useful fantasy asset.

Comparison: Shaun Hill
Round: 3-4

10. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee (6-foot-3, 216 pounds) (WR)

I never saw the accuracy to confidently project Dobbs as a quarterback, and I'd be surprised if he stayed in the NFL for more than a couple years at the position, if at all. He's a very good athlete, though, and the workout metrics imply he could make the conversion to wide receiver. He ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, adding a 122-inch broad jump, and 6.75-second three-cone. He's a dangerous runner when he has the ball, as he totaled 831 yards (5.5 YPC) and 12 touchdowns on the ground last year.

Round: 6-UDFA

11. Trevor Knight, Texas A&M (6-foot-1, 219 pounds) (WR)

Knight will not be playing quarterback in the NFL, but he's one of the top running threats among quarterbacks in recent memory, and a solid showing at the Combine confirmed he has the athleticism to perhaps get a shot at receiver. Small for a quarterback but big for a wideout, Knight ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds while adding a 125-inch broad jump, 35.5-inch vertical, 7.04-second three-cone, and 4.14-second 20-yard shuttle. The numbers are average in a vacuum, but above the average when adjusting for his weight.

Round: UDFA

RB

1. Leonard Fournette, LSU (6-foot-1, 240 pounds)

Fournette headed into the Combine with unfairly high expectations – the over/under for his 40-yard dash was around 4.40 – but he fell short of that mark and received some criticism in the process. Even more than his 4.51-second 40, Fournette caught flak for his weight (five pounds heavier than expected) and his offensive lineman-like vertical of 28.5 inches. Fournette had a chance to cement his status as a top-10 pick, but he simply didn't do it.

With that said, Fournette's Combine showing should not be considered a failure or anything close to it. For a 240-pound back – particularly one who ran for 3,830 yards (6.2 YPC) and 40 touchdowns in 32 career games – a 4.51-second 40-yard dash is still very good. It just makes him more of a 10-to-20th overall sort of prospect to me. He could still go in the first ten picks, but I wouldn't be enthusiastic about drafting him there.

Still, as previously mentioned, when you account for Fournette's production and film, his Combine showing was more than acceptable. This is an uncommonly powerful runner with uncommon speed, and he's shown the ability to produce at an elite level in the toughest conference outside of NFL football.

Comparison: Larry Johnson
Round: 1

2. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford (5-foot-11, 202 pounds)

In a Combine where the lead two runners (Fournette and Cook) hurt their stock, McCaffrey made at least slight gains. With 4,577 yards from scrimmage in 25 games, McCaffrey's production does all the necessary talking, but he laid to rest any concerns about his athleticism by logging a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, 121-inch broad jump, and 6.57-second three-cone drill.

I never thought I'd be here, but after Dalvin Cook's disastrous Combine, I feel like I have to move McCaffrey up to second in the rankings, pending Cook's March 28 pro day.

Comparison: Reggie Bush
Round: 1

3. Dalvin Cook, Florida State (5-foot-10, 210 pounds)

Some part of me expects Cook to put forth a profoundly different athletic profile at the Florida State pro day March 28, but pending such an outcome, I have to move him behind Fournette and McCaffrey in my rankings. Cook's Combine wasn't just bad relative to his high ambitions – it ranked among the worst in general. As much as those workout metrics don't seem reflective of his film and especially not his production, it's a variable that can't be responsibly ignored.

His 40-yard dash (4.49 seconds) was fine enough, but good luck rationalizing Cook's broad jump (116 inches), 20-yard shuttle (4.53 seconds), or three-cone drill (7.27 seconds). His film and production still make him a very good prospect – 4,464 yards (6.5 YPC) and 46 touchdowns in 38 games will do that – but my hopes of him establishing himself as a Tomlinson/Portis-type prospect appear dashed.

Comparison: DeAngelo Williams
Round: 1-2

4. Samaje Perine, Oklahoma (5-foot-11, 233 pounds)

Perine is a player I have objectively excessive confidence in given his Combine showing, but I remain high on him anyway. I will concede that my Michael Turner comparison for him was overly hopeful – a 4.65-second 40 means Perine is not another Burner – but I still think Perine is a uniquely talented big back and is at the very least one of this draft's best bets to see starts in the next couple years. There's no doubt that he's a better prospect than recent second-round picks like Jeremy Hill and Montee Ball were.

The best selling point for Perine's prospect profile is his production. Not only was he extremely efficient with a career rushing average of 6.0 yards per carry, but he maintained it over a volume of 685 carries. He gets bonus points for the fact that his dominance manifested from Day 1 – his best season was actually his true freshman one, when he ran for 1,713 yards (6.5 YPC) and 21 touchdowns. Still just 21, Perine's early success implies remaining upside.

I don't like to do this with running backs, but film is also one of the reasons why I rate Perine higher than his athletic profile would normally dictate. For as big and brutishly strong as he is, what strikes me as unique about Perine is his flexibility. There's no trace of lumbering in his film – he's never sluggish to start, and he doesn't need to skid to slow and change direction. For that reason, I'm projecting more functional athleticism with Perine than his raw workout metrics would imply.

Comparison: Stephen Davis
Round: 3

5. Alvin Kamara, Tennessee (5-foot-10, 214 pounds)

Kamara is getting a lot of first-round chatter, mostly as a predictable ripple effect from takes issued by a couple prominent draft media figures, but I don't see it happening. He was never a Division I starter, and he posted an athletic profile at the Combine reminiscent of former third-round pick Duke Johnson (who was a much more productive player in college).

With all that said, I am a big fan of Kamara at the right price. That he didn't start in college was a failure on the part of Tennessee's coaches – Kamara was a better player than starter Jalen Hurd. And while his athletic profile may resemble Johnson's, I remain a fan of Johnson as a prospect. But as you're seeing, Johnson hasn't been given an opportunity to start, and I fear Kamara will end up in the same situation. There's no shame in being injury-dependent for a starting opportunity – it applies to almost every running back – but it's important to factor that into the acquisition price.

As much as Kamara's 40 time of 4.56 seconds disappointed, no one who's ever watched him is going to worry about his explosiveness. Kamara is a blur in short spaces, showing rare balance to change direction and cut so quickly as to almost seem spectral. Kamara is a very good natural pass catcher, and it's easy to imagine him juking a linebacker overboard before weaving through the whole defense on a screen pass.

So to recap: I love Kamara's talent and skill set – I'm just not sure how well the fantasy industry is gauging his odds of seeing big snap counts early in his career.

Comparison: Duke Johnson
Round: 2-3

6. Jeremy McNichols, Boise State (5-foot-9, 214 pounds)

This is one ranking I wasn't expecting to make, but McNichols earned it. It's not just that the competition underwhelmed, certainly true as that is. McNichols did legitimately well for himself at the Combine, and now he has a prospect profile that grades as a standout going back multiple draft classes.

His 40 time (4.49 seconds), broad jump (121 inches) and three-cone (6.93 seconds) all graded above the average, and those numbers supplement elite college production (3,980 yards and 53 touchdowns from scrimmage in his last 25 games). When you throw in McNichols' underrated ability as a pass catcher – he's really not far behind McCaffrey in this regard – you have a player with workhorse upside in the NFL but the floor of an off-the-bench passing down contributor.

Comparison: Devonta Freeman
Round: 3-4

7. Joe Mixon, Oklahoma (6-foot-1, 228 pounds)

You know the story by now, and the broader situation needn't be fully recapped here. Mixon is an elite talent – we know this. What we don't know is how employable he is or what sort of opportunity exists for him. If he sees the field he will thrive, but we don't know whether he'll see the field. Assess the risk/benefit considerations for your team and proceed accordingly.

Comparison: Ahman Green
Round: 3-4

8. D'Onta Foreman, Texas (6-feet, 233 pounds)

Foreman is novel because he's a truly big running back yet flashes speed on film that gives reason to hope for a 40-yard dash of 4.50 or better. Foreman made a habit of splitting the safeties at Texas, totaling 2,700 yards (6.5 YPC) and 20 touchdowns in 21 games, and then-coach Charlie Strong speculated that Foreman was one of the three fastest players on the team, if not the fastest. Unfortunately, a foot stress fracture prevented Foreman from running at the Combine, and in the meantime his prospect profile is in limbo. His pro day is scheduled March 28 and he is expected to run there, but there's an awful lot on the line this late in the game.

It may be a net positive in the long run for longevity reasons, but it should be noted that Foreman doesn't run with the violence you'd expect of a player his size. For all the strength he'd flash on film, Foreman played like a speed back at Texas. In other words, if he doesn't confirm standout speed at the pro day, his skill set might lose its projected NFL viability.

If Foreman learns to anchor better and stay behind his pads more often, it should result in enough of a power boost for him to project as an NFL starter even if he disappoints in the 40, but for now there's a risk of incongruity between his athleticism and his skill set.

Comparison: Michael Bush
Round: 4

9. Kareem Hunt, Toledo (5-foot-10, 216 pounds)

Hunt has a feature-back build and a long history if convincing production at Toledo, so he's one of the draft's better bets to emerge as an eventual starter in the NFL despite a disappointing Combine. While he showed considerable burst on tape, Hunt's 4.62-second 40 implies that Hunt's burst is related more to balance and short-area quickness than it is long speed, and Hunt can't be expected to be a big-play threat in the NFL.

If his production and film are any indication, though, he can be expected to shoulder a big workload and reliably chip away at any defense. Hunt finished his Toledo career with 4,945 yards (6.3 YPC) and 44 touchdowns in 44 games, and in 2016 he gave his prospect profile a big boost by breaking out as a pass catcher, snagging 41 passes for 403 yards and a touchdown. It's worth mentioning that Hunt is the owner of one of the absolute best running back seasons in college football history, as his 2014 season saw him total 1,631 yards (8.0 YPC) and 16 touchdowns in just 10 games.

Comparison: Kenneth Dixon
Round: 4

10. Marlon Mack, South Florida (5-foot-11, 213 pounds)

Mack was highly productive at South Florida, showing big-play ability with 3,609 yards (6.2 YPC) and 32 touchdowns in 36 career games, but I still struggle to find standout traits in his game.

Great as his production was, Mack's task was easier than most running backs on this list due to frequent option tosses and the rushing threat posed by quarterback Quinton Flowers. He did well for himself at the Combine, though, running a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and posting a 125-inch broad jump.

Comparison: Paul Perkins
Round: 4

11. Aaron Jones, UTEP (5-foot-9, 208 pounds)

Although he's generally unknown after playing on miserable UTEP teams, Jones is one of the most accomplished running backs of recent memory. Indeed, his production alone is strong enough to project him as an upside prospect, but he further helped his cause by posting good workout metrics at the Combine.

If 4,114 yards (6.3 YPC) and 33 touchdowns in 35 career games is enough to intrigue, then the inclusion of a 127-inch broad jump and 6.82-second three-cone should just about complete the sale. Jones' 4.56-second 40 wasn't great, but he more or less put forth the same athletic profile as Kamara, who some think will go in the first round. Jones will go late, but the NFL hasn't learned much if he goes undrafted.

Comparison: Jerome Harrison
Round: 4-6

12. I'Tavius Mathers, Middle Tennessee (5-foot-11, 203 pounds)

Mathers is a technical long shot given that he wasn't invited to the Combine, but it's easy to argue that it was just an obvious botch on the Combine's part. Like McCaffrey and McNichols, Mathers is a smaller back who possesses standout athleticism and showed wide receiver-like pass-catching ability.

A former Mississippi recruit, Mathers has better pedigree than his Conference-USA affiliation implies. Indeed, he was far too much for that level of competition, finishing 2016 with 1,561 yards (6.7 YPC) and 17 touchdowns while catching 66 passes for 633 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. At the Middle Tennessee pro day, Mathers was timed at 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Despite his obscurity, Mathers has a very good prospect profile.

Comparison: Jerious Norwood
Round: 5-6

13. Brian Hill, Wyoming (6-foot-1, 219 pounds)

Hill was one of the most productive running backs nationwide over the last three years, pushing aside accomplished incumbent starting runner Shaun Wick to run for 3,491 yards (5.5 YPC) and 28 touchdowns over the last two years. I would prefer to see Hill's YPC a bit higher, but he gets some benefit of the doubt since he took on such a high volume.

He also showed well at the Combine, posting very good weight-adjusted marks for the 40 (4.54 seconds), broad jump (125 inches), and three-cone (7.03 seconds). I'm ranking him lower than guys like Jones and Mathers because I don't see him as a potential standout pass-catching threat, but Hill has the profile of a guy who could start a few years in the NFL with a little luck.

Comparison: Ryan Grant
Round: 4-5

14. Elijah Hood, North Carolina (5-foot-11, 230 pounds)

Hood is a former top recruit who flashed major upside when healthy, but his first year at North Carolina was basically a waste due to injury, and his third season involved durability issues at a couple points, as well.

Great as his production was when healthy, Hood didn't put forth the most promising athletic profile at the North Carolina pro day, logging a 4.58-second 40. Hood is a tank with convincing power, but it's fair to wonder if he has the burst and agility to excel at the NFL level. Hood's talent is generally convincing, though, so if he stays healthy I like his chances of seeing starts in the NFL eventually. He ran for 1,463 yards (6.7 YPC) and 17 touchdowns in his lone healthy season.

Comparison: Shonn Greene
Round: 4-6

15. Elijah McGuire, Louisiana-Lafayette (5-foot-10, 214 pounds)

If healthy, I think McGuire could be one of the biggest sleepers of the draft. He dealt with foot issues for the last two years and showed mediocre athletic testing befitting a player still injured, though there's no report of such a factor, and it wouldn't be reassuring if it were the case, anyway.

McGuire posted good volume numbers over the last two years despite the injuries, totaling 2,716 yards and 25 touchdowns in 25 games, but his rushing average was just 4.9 yards per carry. McGuire was much more explosive his first two years at Lafayette, as he remarkably ran for 2,127 yards (7.9 YPC) and 22 touchdowns while catching 67 passes for 852 yards (12.7 YPR) and five touchdowns in 26 games. With 130 career receptions, McGuire is clearly one of the most skilled receivers at the position in this draft, so he has plenty of fantasy upside despite his declining production in the last two years. The key is avoiding red flags for durability.

Comparison: Pierre Thomas
Round: 5-UDFA

16. Stanley Williams, Kentucky (5-foot-7, 190 pounds)

Williams never took on a workhorse role at Kentucky and struggled with nagging injuries at various points, but when on the field he shows unique explosiveness as a runner. Although he's relatively small, Williams has adequate density to hold up as an off-the-bench runner.

He posted a 4.51-second 40 at the Combine, adding strong numbers in the broad jump (121 inches), 20-yard shuttle (4.18 seconds), and three-cone (6.86 seconds). His lack of size may make him a long shot for playing time, but after running for 2,513 yards (6.8 YPC) and 18 touchdowns in the SEC, Williams made clear he'll make plays if he gets the ball. You have to get on the field first, though.

Comparison: Andre Ellington
Round: 5-UDFA

17. James Conner, Pittsburgh (6-foot-1, 233 pounds)

Conner overcame Hodgkins lymphoma and a torn MCL in 2015 to return to the field in 2016, running for 1,092 yards (5.1 YPC) and 16 touchdowns while catching 21 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

Conner's power is obvious and he posted good volume at Pittsburgh, but his athletic testing implies limited upside given his 4.65-second 40 and 113-inch broad jump. Conner doesn't project as much more than an off-the-bench power specialist, but he should stick around in the league for a while.

Comparison: Anthony Dixon
Round: 5-6

18. Joe Williams, Utah (5-foot-11, 210 pounds)

Williams had a strange college career, beginning at and getting kicked out of Connecticut before heading to Utah, where he initially served as Devontae Booker's backup in 2015 before abruptly retiring three weeks into what was supposed to be his first year as starter in 2016.

After a month off, he returned in October to play like a man possessed, showing skills he never had before. He torched his seven remaining opponents for 1,332 yards (7.1 YPC) and 10 touchdowns over that span, and proved one of the most athletic runners at the Combine, posting a 4.41-second 40 and 125-inch broad jump.

Williams is certainly athletic, but his rollercoaster history and inconsistent production cloud his projection.

Comparison: Brandon Jackson
Round: 5-UDFA

19. Corey Clement, Wisconsin (5-foot-10, 220 pounds)

After debuting as an explosive off-the-bench runner behind James White and Melvin Gordon early in his Wisconsin career, Clement bulked up and played more like a power-oriented workhorse as a senior in 2016.

A brutal schedule and minor injury contributed to a concerning average of just 4.4 yards per carry, and a sports hernia all but wiped out his whole 2015 season, but when healthy he showed an encouraging combination of balance and power. He's in a similar category as Elijah Hood after logging 40 times in the 4.6-second range.

Comparison: Alex Collins
Round: 5-6

20. Chris Carson, Oklahoma State (6-feet, 218 pounds)

A former JUCO transfer and Georgia commit, Carson arrived to Oklahoma State in 2015 with high expectations in a backfield that lacked a starter. But he fell on his face, averaging just 4.0 yards per carry while totaling 517 yards.

The entire Oklahoma State rushing game struggled similarly that year, however, and in 2016 Carson looked more like the player everyone initially expected. Injury limited him to 12 carries in the first six weeks, but upon return Carson ran for 514 yards (7.3 YPC) and eight touchdowns in seven games. He's very unproven after playing so little, but that promising stretch combines with an encouraging athletic profile (4.58-second 40, 130-inch broad jump) to imply developmental upside.

Comparison: Darius Jackson
Round: 6-UDFA

21. Jamaal Williams, BYU (6-feet, 212 pounds)

Williams was off to a fast start at BYU, running for 2,008 yards (5.2 YPC) and catching 45 passes for 440 yards in his age-17 and age-18 seasons, but then a severe knee injury hit him ten weeks into the 2014 season, and he missed the 2015 season for undisclosed personal reasons.

By the time 2016 came around, though, he was ready for a bounce back, finishing with 1,375 yards (5.9 YPC) and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. Williams is a lean, lanky runner with a history of production and good enough film, but I don't see the standout athleticism or skill set traits to project as anything more than a backup. He also has injury concerns to face.

Comparison: Kevin Smith
Round: 5

22. De'Angelo Henderson, Coastal Carolina (5-foot-7, 208 pounds)

Henderson will of course face questions over his level of competition, but his production was as good as you can ask for (5,556 yards and 58 touchdowns from scrimmage in his last 35 games), and he showed the pass-catching ability that's so important for chancing into snap opportunities at the NFL level. He has good density despite his general smallness, and he did well at the Combine with a 4.48-second 40 and 120-inch broad jump.

Comparison: Bobby Rainey
Round: 5-7

23. Matt Dayes, North Carolina State (5-foot-9, 205 pounds)

Dayes has skills as a pass catcher and shows strong running instincts, but athletic limitations figure to push him late into the draft or out of it entirely.

He should bounce around the league for at least a few years, though, and profiles as a player who could stick if injuries open up an opportunity. He finished his North Carolina State career with 2,856 yards (5.2 YPC) and 34 touchdowns while catching 98 passes for 933 yards and six touchdowns.

Comparison: Mewelde Moore
Round: 5-UDFA

24. Wayne Gallman, Clemson (6-feet, 215 pounds)

Gallman doesn't lack useful traits, but I'm not convinced he's strong enough in any regard to project as more than a practice squad-type runner at the NFL level. His career rushing average of 5.1 yards per carry concerns me, particularly given that most of his carries were taken with Deshaun Watson widening running lanes thanks to his own running skills.

At the Combine, Gallman put forth a very mediocre athletic profile, running the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds while posting a 29.5-inch vertical, 120-inch broad jump, 7.17-second three-cone, and 4.28-second 20-yard shuttle.

Comparison: Ciatrick Fason
Round: 5-UDFA

25. T.J. Logan, North Carolina (5-foot-9, 196 pounds)

Logan is a speedy back (4.37-second 40-yard dash at the Combine) who offers some clear appeal as an off-the-bench and pass-catching back. The odds of him emerging as a starter at any point appear slim – he never started at North Carolina and wasn't convincingly efficient in a part-time role – but the speed makes him a candidate to force his way into a committee at some point.

Comparison: Travis Minor
Round: 6-UDFA