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2017 NFL Draft: Top 10 Running Backs after Bowl Season

By Tyler Brooke

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Kareem Are (72) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Kareem Are (72) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2016; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jeremy McNichols (13) carries the ball against the UNLV Rebels in the second half at Albertsons Stadium. McNichols ran for 206 yards and scored four touchdowns. Boise State defeated UNLV 42-25. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jeremy McNichols (13) carries the ball against the UNLV Rebels in the second half at Albertsons Stadium. McNichols ran for 206 yards and scored four touchdowns. Boise State defeated UNLV 42-25. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boise State Broncos may have gotten blasted in the Cactus Bowl in a 31-12 loss to the Baylor Bears, but it was a solid 10-win season for them and their running back, Jeremy McNichols.

McNichols has been a touchdown machine over the past two seasons for the Broncos, picking up 53 total touchdowns since the start of the 2015 season. He’s also added over 3,000 rushing yards and 900 yards receiving during that span.

The Boise State junior is a short, compact runner at 5-foot-9 and 212 pounds. That frame makes him especially difficult to bring down in open space. He also does a great job of keeping his feet moving to keep his forward momentum and pick up yards after contact.

Here’s a great example of McNichols keeping his feet moving while keeping his balance to extend the play.

Although McNichols can make plenty of plays in the running and passing game, he doesn’t possess great top-end speed for a guy his size, and he’s not going to consistently shed off tacklers at the next level.

Still, the Boise State prospect is a proven playmaker who could be a valuable third-down running back in the NFL for a team looking for a guy who can catch passes out of the backfield.

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