2018 NFL Draft: Running back is deepest position group by far
Quarterbacks are always the hot topic, but it’s the running backs that are going to carry the load in the 2018 NFL Draft class.
More: 2018 NFL Draft preview, player profiles and latest mock drafts
Saquon Barkley‘s dominant and near-Heisman winning 2017 season have overshadowed what has become one of the deepest running back classes in recent memory. While Barkley will be the first back off the board he won’t be the only rusher starting on Sundays next fall.
In addition to Barkley, the 2018 NFL Draft has depth at every level of the draft. Derrius Guice and Ronald Jones could both sneak into the first round with Barkley if things break the right way and a host of other backs could go on Day 2.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see these backs all off the board before the end of Round 3:
Saquon Barkley
Barkley should go in the top five picks, at worst the top ten. His draft stock depends entirely on how the quarterback position plays out on draft day.
Derrius Guice
Following in the footsteps of current NFL back Leonard Fournette, Guice not only broke most of his records, but looked like the real deal doing it. That includes three games of 250+ yards on the ground.
Ronald Jones
Jones played second fiddle to Sam Darnold, but was arguably the best player in his own backfield last season. He scored 19 rushing touchdowns to Darnold’s 26 through the air.
Royce Freeman
Freeman churned out 5,621 career rushing yards at Oregon, second most in Pac-12 history. The national media might have missed it, but NFL teams did not.
Mark Walton
The biggest threat to Walton’s draft stock was his absence from the field last year. When he’s healthy he’s a tough runner that will make an NFL roster next season.
Kalen Ballage
Lesser known but no less impactful, Kalen Ballage might be the most versatile running back in this class – and that’s saying something.
Rashaad Penny
San Diego State’s successor to Donnel Pumphrey, Penny picked up where he left off rushing for 2,248 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2017.
Bo Scarbrough
He’s not the highest regarded prospect in this draft, but there’s something about Alabama and running backs. Scarbrough’s physicality and toughness will find him a home somewhere.
Nick Chubb, Kerryon Johnson, Sony Michel
Three very different SEC running backs that did not go down with out a fight. Each played a key role in taking their team to the SEC Championship.
Next: Top 10 RBs in 2018 NFL Draft
That’s 11 backs that will all be expected to be on an NFL roster next fall. And that’s not where this class stops. Wild card prospects like Akrum Wadley, Justin Jackson, Chase Edmonds and Ito Smith all have different aspects of their game that make them intriguing. Overall, this is a loaded class. Don’t be surprised to see teams wait on running back knowing they can get this level of talent in the later rounds.