2016 NFL Draft Prospects: Fullbacks

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2016 fullback prospects available for the 2016 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2017 prospect. ** – denotes 2018 prospect.

This page was last updated April 26, 2016. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas State
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 238. Arm: 30.88. Hand: 9.38.
   40 Time: 4.71.
   Projected Round (2016): 5-7.
   4/26/16: Gronkowski totaled five receptions for 76 yards and 11 carries for 45 yards in 2015. He flashed some receiving ability at the Senior Bowl and looks more athletic than the other fullbacks in this class.
   
   8/8/15: Gronkowski totaled six yards on four carries in 2014 along with five receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown. He was able to get some starts in 2013 and did well blocking for running back John Hubert.
   
   Personal: Glenn Gronkowski is the youngest of five brothers, including Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Son of Gordon and Diane Gronkowski.
   
   



2. Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 225. Arm: 31. Hand: 10.
   40 Time: 4.60.
   Projected Round (2016): 6-FA.
   4/26/16: Vitale was a solid blocker for the Wildcats in 2015. He also contributed as a receiver with 33 receptions for 355 yards and four touchdowns. At the Senior Bowl, Vitale had a decent week as a blocker and receiver.
   
   8/8/15: Vitale has been a solid receiver for Northwestern the past three seasons. He had 40 receptions for 402 yards as a junior. In 2012, he had 28 receptions for 288 yards with two touchdowns. As a sophomore, Vitale improved that production with 34 catches for 382 yards and three touchdowns. The senior could use more weight to be a lead blocker in the NFL.
   
   
3. Soma Vainuku, FB, USC
   Height: 5-11. Weight: 249. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 9.63.
   40 Time: 4.68.
   Projected Round (2016): 6-FA.
   4/26/16: Vainuku had two carries for four yards and a touchdown in 2015. He didn’t stand out at the Senior Bowl. Vainuku was faster than expected at the combine.
   
   8/8/15: Vainuku had 40 yards on seven carries with one touchdown in 2014. He did a nice job of lead blocking for Buck Allen and helped open a lot of holes.
   
   Vainuku contributed in the Trojans’ offense in 2013. He totaled 78 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. As a receiver, Vainuku had nine catches for 74 yards with a score. On special teams, he was a star who put 13 tackles and three blocked punts on the stat sheet. Vainuku started at fullback and special teams in 2012. He looks like an interesting prospect with his ability to contribute on special teams.
   
   
4. Derek Watt, FB, Wisconsin
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 231.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
   Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
   4/26/16: Wisconsin’s ground game took a step back in 2015 with the loss of Melvin Gordon to the NFL, but Watt played well. He also demonstrated some receiving skills with 15 receptions or 139 yards. Watt had a good week of practice at the East-West Shrine and looks like he is worthy of a late-round pick. He didn’t participate in the combine.
   
   8/8/15: Watt injured his foot in the 2014 season opener and missed eight games. He may have been better off taking a medical redshirt, but he returned to the field and played a role in Melvin Gordon setting the single-game rushing record of 405 yards against Nebraska. Watt had one carry for two yards in 2014.
   
   Being the younger brother of J.J. Watt has gotten Derek Watt a lot of attention, but he is a fine player in his own right. Derek Watt had a strong 2013 season opening up running lanes for Melvin Gordon and James White. Watt also had one carry for eight yards and three catches for 20 yards and a touchdown. Being the younger brother of a player who is in the running for the best player in the NFL year after year could help Watt get drafted earlier than if his last name was ‘Smith.’
   
   



5. Andy Janovich, FB, Nebraska
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 238. Hand: 9.75.
   40 Time: 4.81.
   Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
   4/26/16: Janovich is a tough lead blocker who was a solid contributor for Nebraska. The senior averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2015 for 265 yards with three touchdowns. He had two receptions for 58 yards as well. Janovich was mostly a backup as a junior and in his early years at Nebraska.
   
   
6. Will Ratelle, FB, North Dakota State
   Height: 5-10. Weight: 250.
   40 Time: 4.59.
   Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
   4/26/16: Ratelle is a converted linebacker with a lot of athletic upside. He will have to make a team based on playing fullback and special teams. Ratelle has generated some team interest after some great workouts.
   
   
7. Devon Johnson, FB/RB, Marshall
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 238. Hand: 9.25.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
   Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
   4/26/16: In 2015, Johnson averaged 6.3 yards per carry for 593 yards with five touchdowns. He also had six receptions for 63 yards. Johnson was producing well before a back injury cost him most of Week 4, and he missed Week 5 as well. After coming back briefly, Johnson missed the final five games of the regular season. He didn’t impress at the East-West Shrine. Johnson was at the combine, but didn’t work out because of an injury.
   
   8/8/15: ‘Rockhead’ Johnson plays running back for Marshall, but he could fit better as a fullback for the NFL. Johnson averaged 8.6 yards per carry for 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He also had six receptions for 121 yards. With his physical style and nickname, Johnson is sure to be a fan favorite. As a sophomore, he was a backup tight end.



8. Quayvon Hicks, FB, Georgia
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 259.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
   Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
   4/26/16: In 2015, Hicks opened holes in the ground game and did a nice job of blocking for Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Hicks caught three passes for 34 yards as well.
   
   8/8/15: Hicks is the heavy lead-blocker who paved the way for Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb in 2014. Hicks packs a punch and can move defenders. He ran for 85 yards on nine carries with two scores last season. Hicks also caught four receptions for 31 yards. In 2013, Hicks totaled 10 carries for 72 yards with a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 67 yards.
   
   



9. Patrick Skov, FB, Georgia Tech
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
   Projected Round (2016): FA.
   4/26/16: Skov ran for 377 yards on 93 carries and six touchdowns in 2015. He also had three receptions for 44 yards. Skov didn’t participate in the combine.
   
   8/8/15: The younger brother of Shayne Skov, Patrick Skov rotated into the game for the Cardinal in 2014. He had 12 rushes for 18 yards and four touchdowns with one reception for 16 yards as a junior. Skov needs to take on a bigger role as a senior. After the season he graduated and transferred to Georgia Tech. He’s eligible to play right away.
   
   
10. Trevon Pendelton, FB, Michigan State
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
    Projected Round (2016): FA.
    4/26/16: Pendelton played well for the Spartans, although he was limited to only five games. Pendelton made a 74-yard reception against Michigan and had four receptions for 94 yards on the season. He didn’t attend the combine.
    
    8/8/15: Pendelton had a strong 2014 season as the lead blocker for Kendall Langford. He didn’t have any carries, but made one reception for two yards. A year earlier, Pendelton had eight catches for 127 yards.
    
    
11. Jeremy Seaton, FB, Oklahoma State
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.88.
    Projected Round (2016): FA.
    4/26/16: This season, Seaton had seven receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns. He missed seven games with injuries. Seaton didn’t participate in the combine.
    
    8/8/15: Seaton didn’t have any carries in 2014, but he did have 13 receptions for 162 yards for the Cowboys. Seaton packs a punch as a lead blocker. He won the Barry Sanders Award for the Oklahoma State player with the greatest contribution yet the least recognition.
    
    

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