It's never too early to start thinking about the 2018 NFL Draft. As part of my ongoing series, here are my top 15 running backs nationally. This list will be update throughout the upcoming football season, and into the spring as we prepare for the NFL Draft:
1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Barkley has become the overwhelming favorite to be the top back picked as of this moment, but in my book, he may be neck and neck with the number two back on my list. Still, he is primed for a huge season, and a Heisman run as well.
2. Darius Guice, LSU
I once thought that Leonard Fournette was one of the best backs that I have ever seen at LSU, but then Guice came along last season with Fournette acting like a fool and feigning injury. Guice is a beast, and current projections show him being picked anywhere from the first to third round. I'd go mid first without regret.
3. Bo Scarbrough, Alabama
I like Scarbrough a hell of a lot better than I liked Derrick Henry, and I think that he projects as a better long term back in the NFL. He has size and burst, and should be a star on the next level. I like him as a late first rounder currently.
4. Akrum Wadley, Iowa
Wadley is one of the most unsung backs in college football heading into the 2017 season. He is a major star on a team that lacks offensive star power, and should be able to not feel that he has to carry the team this fall with the transfer of James Butler from Nevada.
5. Nick Chubb, Georgia
He has the injury history, and if he can get through this season unscathed once again, he vaults up near the top of my list. He does not have to carry the Bulldogs this season, but he is incredibly special when in one piece.
6. Mike Weber, Ohio State
Weber shpwed some serious skill last season, but was not Zeke Elliott good last fall. He is working his way to that point, and while I don't see Weber in that class, I still see a very good back with an underrated ability to catch the football out of the backfield, which may be a trait that we will not see much of until he plays on Sundays.
7. Ronlad Jones, USC
I am not as high on Jones as others are, but he does have some special capabilities, and can bust the big run at any moment. I just don't see him as more than a third down back early in his career, but he could surprise us. I will be watching him closely this fall.
8. Kamryn Pettway, Auburn
Pettway is a guy that I am closely watching in 2017, as he could really vault up in the standings here as the offense changes back to a passing spread offense. If Pettway can show some skill in that offense, he will rise quickly, as he already did after 2016. He is definitely a mover as we head towards the next draft.
9. Damian Harris, Alabama
Even though he may not get a ton of carries this fall, he may very well vault up my list.He is in a loaded backfield, and Nick Saban will not use him more than he has to, despite his obvious ability. Here's the good news...he is super talented, busts big runs, has speed, and can catch the football, and may be the freshest back going heading into the draft.
10. Sony Michel, Georgia
Michel is the other back that will help carry the load for the Bulldogs in 2017, taking Chubb off of the hook for that role. Michel is a super talented back that would carry 25 times a game anywhere else. He has solid speed, and is a soft touch receiver. He may vault upwards as well.
11. Jordan Scarlett, Florida
If you are looking for a rock solid back in the mid rounds, this may be your guy. Scarlett's numbers are deceiving given that Florida's offense sucked the last couple of seasons. Scarlett is a producer when given the opportunity, and with Malik Zaire probably winning the QB job, the offense should open up a great deal, which helps Scarlett tremendously.
12. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt
If Webb played anywhere other than Vandy in the SEC, he would be graded higher. He gets very little in the way of exposure, and is very much one of the most underrated backs eligible for the 2018 draft. He will likely rise throughout the season, because he may be the only dependable weapon the Commodores have.
13. Justin Jackson, Northwestern
Scouts are just starting to catch on to how good Jackson can be, as he exploded on the scene in 2016. A slow start for the Wildcats cost him some exposure, but if they can get out the gate strong this season, everyone will be talking about him come late October.
14. LJ Scott, Michigan State
Scott is in the same boat as Jackson, with Sparty falling flat last season. Scott is a machine, and should not be slept on. He fits the bill of several Spartan backs before him, and is a hard runner with skills. He busted loose for over 170 yards on Ohio State last season, so pay attention!
15. Lavon Coleman, Washington
Myles Gaskin may have the shinier resume, but Coleman may be the better NFL package back. He has power, has build, and can flat out play the game. Look for Coleman to be a late round steal for someone, but if he played where he could be the feature back, he'd be ranked higher.
The Next Ten
Royce Freeman, Oregon
Myles Gaskin, Washington
D'Angelo Brewer, Tulsa
Ito Smith, Southern Mississippi
James Butler, Iowa
Jalin Moore, Appalachian State
James Gilbert, Ball State
Ray Lawry, Old Dominion
Jordan Chunn, Troy
Phillip Lindsey, Colorado
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