Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
Dec 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Jamaal Williams (21) scores on a 36-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys during the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Jamaal Williams (21) scores on a 36-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys during the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

We are now getting to the point in this list where I wouldn’t be surprised if any of these running backs are taken in the second round. They’re all that talented. While BYU’s Jamaal Williams is the first play in this group, that shouldn’t take away from just how talented he is.

I talked to Williams back in November, and his old school mentality really impressed me. It’s hard not to watch him and be reminded of players like DeMarco Murray or Matt Forte with the way he plays.

Williams is a big, tall running back at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. He’s a decisive runner who does a great job of getting north-south as soon as possible instead of try to dance around. His vision is inconsistent at times, but when he’s seeing the field well he’s capable of breaking off plays like this one.

The fact that Williams lacks that elite speed that other top-tier prospects keeps him from being a first-round pick. At the same time, given his size, vision and toughness, Williams could make for an excellent NFL running back in a power running scheme.

Home/NFL Draft