NFL Draft 2016: Ranking the Top 10 Running Backs for Next Year
Jan 2, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) goes in for 5-yard touchdown against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Houston won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2015 NFL Draft over, we are looking ahead to 2016. Here are the Top 10 running backs for next year’s NFL Draft as of right now.
Looking ahead to the 2015 college football season after the 2015 NFL Draft, we know before the season starts that there are plenty of prospects to keep an eye out for. After all, next year’s NFL Draft will be here before you know it.
With that in mind, the running back position had a bit of a revival in this past draft. After years of franchises finding running backs to plug in, Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley both went in the first round.
And looking ahead to the 2016 NFL Draft, there could be quite a few more going in the early rounds next year.
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The class is jumbled with lots of guys who picked up huge stats last year. But here is the real kicker: when do those stats mean anything beyond the system they play in? Taking a running back early is much more tricky than many other positions because at that point you are banking on a playmaker, not just a good back who does what is needed.
So knowing that, yes, college performance matters, but physical tools, vision, and agility are sometimes extremely hard to measure. So is the toughness that needs to come with being able to take a beating in the NFL.
But there are still a few standout backs. With all of this subject to dramatically change after the 2015 college football season, these are the current top 10 running backs for the 2016 NFL Draft.
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