2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Running Back

4/26/21: Harris ran hard for the Crimson Tide in 2020, and he showed some improved receiving ability as a catcher and blocked well in pass protection. The 2020 season proved Harris has three-down starting potential for the NFL.

There is no doubt Harris has the ability to be an impactful NFL running back and the skill set of a three-down starter. He has an excellent combination of size and quickness that lets him run over tacklers, yet he retains the speed to hit the hole. Harris has a strong build and is difficult to bring down, as he will power through tackles and bounce off defenders to continue to gain yards. He has very good contact balance and runs behind his pads with nice knee bend. In short yardage, Jones is an asset because he can push the pile on his own. He keeps his legs going after contact, using his powerful lower body to make it tough to stop him. Aside from his size and speed, Harris is a natural runner with good instincts. He shows excellent vision, patience and anticipation to follow his line before bursting downhill.

8/29/20: In 2019, Harris averaged 5.9 yards per carry for 1,224 yards with 13 touchdowns. He had 27 receptions for 304 yards and seen scores as a receiver. Harris flashed at times, but some scouts don't feel Harris is the same caliber as other recent Alabama running backs like Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris or Derrick Henry.

Harris is a big back who has some quickness and athleticism for the NFL. Over the past few seasons, he did not run to his size and looked to bounce too many carries to the outside rather than use his power to run behind his pads in a physical manner. Late in 2019, especially against LSU and Mississippi State, Harris aggressively ran downhill with decisiveness. His tape from the back half of the 2019 season will help his future draft grade and definitely made him look like a better pro prospect compared to how he performed at the beginning of the season.

Harris was a star recruit coming out of high school, and he has flashed a skill set with size, power and speed. As a freshman in 2017, he averaged 6.1 yards per carry for 370 yards with three touchdowns. Alabama didn't give him a lot of carries because of more experienced players ahead of him like Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough. He was expected to take on a bigger role as a sophomore, but Harris and Josh Jacobs beat out Harris for bigger roles. In 2018, Harris had only 117 carries, but averaged 6.7 yards per carry for 783 yards with four touchdowns.

4/26/21: At the Clemson pro day, Etienne put on an impressive workout that showed off his excellent speed, explosion, and receiving ability. It varies from team to team as to who they see as the top-rated back for the 2021 NFL Draft, but Etienne's passing game ability could cause him to be the first running back taken this spring.

Etienne ran really well in 2020, showing improved strength and more ability to pick up yards after contact. He also was a dangerous receiving weapon out of the backfield. As a senior, Etienne displayed improved physicality and receiving ability. He still had issues, however, with ball security and fumbling.

Etienne could be a three-down starter in NFL and inject speed and explosiveness into his team's ground game. He also would be a good weapon as a check-down receiver who can turn a short catch into a chunk gain. On top of being very fast, Etienne demonstrates very good running fundamentals, like the patience to let holes develop, the vision to see lanes about to come open, and good body lean to run behind his pads. While Etienne is not a big back, he does flash some nice contact balance to maintain his feet after contact, and he has a nose for the end zone. There were some plays in college where he picked up yards after contact and ran through some tackles, but those won't happen in the NFL given the bigger and stronger defenders.

8/29/20: For the most part, Etienne played well for Clemson in 2019, showing the speed to break off long gains on any carry. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry for 1,614 yards with 19 touchdowns. He also had 37 receptions for 432 yards and four touchdowns.

It wasn't all good for Etienne, who demonstrated some ball-security issues against Georgia Tech and North Carolina. The game against the Tar Heels was a rough tape as a blocker and runner for Etienne. However, he came up with a great receiving game to help Clemson beat Ohio State in the opening round of the playoffs. Etienne is a smaller runner who won't bring a lot of power or yards after contact to the NFL, but he could be a good weapon in a passing offense.

Etienne is not the biggest of backs, but he runs hard and has explosive speed to break off long runs. In 2018, Etienne averaged 8.1 yards per carry for 1,658 yards with 24 touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 78 yards and two scores. If Etienne can add weight while maintaining his speed, he could rise.

4/26/21: Williams was a load for the Tar Heels in 2020, showing power and quickness as a runner. He could have three-down starting potential for the NFL. Some team sources think Williams could end up being the first running back drafted this April.

For the NFL, Williams is a physical bell-cow back who can be the engine of a tough rushing attack. He has three-down starting potential and can overwhelm a defense. With his power, size, and tough rushing style, Williams is a downhill runner who can impose his will through sheer strength. Williams' strong build, knee bend, and ability to run behind his pads let him breaks a lot of tackles and picks up yards after contact. Defenders will really struggle to bring him down at the second level, and it often takes multiple tacklers to get him to the turf. Thanks to his contact balance and strength, Williams is a true power back to wear out defense. His strength to run through tackles and push the pile makes him an asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His total touchdowns in 2020 only reinforced the obviousness of his ability to produce in the condensed portion of the field.

Williams also shows the ability serve as a receiving down back. He has quality hands, runs solid routes for a big back, and shows vision and feel to find the soft spots in defenses. Williams will need some work as a blocker and identifying rushers for the NFL, like all college backs, but in time, he could be a good pass protector to take on blitzing defenders thanks to his size and strength.

4/26/21: After losing four members of his family to COVID-19, Gainwell decided to sit out the 2020 season. He did not opt back in, beginning to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft instead.

8/29/20: Gainwell was an electric playmaker for Memphis as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and jumped out to teams. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry on the year for 1,459 yards with 13 touchdowns. He also was a superb receiver out of the backfield recording 51 receptions for 610 yards and three scores through the air.

Gainwell is a fast and explosive back who is a threat to rip off a long gain on any touch. The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder could stand to get stronger for the NFL, but he is a young and has time to develop physically.

4/26/21: Hill was phenomenal in the 2020 season opener, showing serious receiving ability to help lead an upset over LSU. On top of making some huge catches, Hill did well as a blocker. Following a suspension over a locker room incident, Hill decided to sit out the rest of the season and then enter the 2021 NFL Draft. Hill has a good skill set and could become a three-down starter in the NFL.

8/29/20: In 2019, Hill averaged 5.7 yards per carry for 1,347 yards with 10 scores. He had 17 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown too. Hill played well for the Bulldogs, showing power and quickness, but they struggled to help Hill find good running lanes in a number of games in 2019. He has starting potential for the NFL and could stand to improve his receiving ability for the next level. Working with new head coach Mike Leach could really improve Hill's pass-catching talent.

Hill showed some major talent during the 2018 season with quickness, strength, and natural running ability. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry for 734 yards with four touchdowns on only 117 carries. He also caught 22 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns. Team sources have said that Hill jumped out at them and was impossible to ignore.

4/26/21: Sermon split carries with Master Teague in a lot of games in 2020, but Sermon came through with a monster game against Northwestern to lead Ohio State to a tough win when the passing attack was struggling. He finished out 2020 well, running hard and showing some power to pick up yards after contact.

8/29/20: Sermon played at Oklahoma over 2017-2019 before transferring to Ohio State for his senior year. His best season came as a sophomore, but as a junior, the Sooners turned to Kennedy Brooks and Jalen Hurts to lead their rushing attack. Sermon has some talent along with good size, so he had a shot at a good amount of carries for the Buckeyes as they looked to replace J.K. Dobbins.

4/26/21: Team sources say Stevenson impressed them at the Senior Bowl, as he is a heavy downhill back who also was a good route-runner, pass blocked well, and caught the ball cleanly out of the backfield. They think he could become a starting workhorse back in the pros.

Stevenson started out 2020 on a suspension, but when he returned to the field he was excellent for the Sooners. He played well against Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Iowa State. Stevenson dropped weight and looked quick and powerful in 2020.

8/29/20: Stevenson had only 64 carries in 2019, but he turned them into 515 yards - 8.0 average - and six touchdowns. That production was enough to land Stevenson on NFL teams' preseason watch list for the 2021 NFL Draft. The NCAA suspended Stevenson, but Oklahoma is appealing his suspension.

4/26/21: While Missouri struggled in 2020, Rountree was a tough runner. He needed more support from the rest of the offense, but he is a sleeper back who could be a good value pick in the mid-rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. Team sources say Rountree was impressive at the Senior Bowl, but hurt himself with a very slow 40 at his pro day.

8/29/20: Team sources said that Rountree has a nice skill set with some speed to go along with a solid build. The Missouri offense had some struggles replacing Drew Lock in 2019, and that hurt the defensive fronts that Rountree faced. He has the skill set to produce a good senior year if he gets some help from the supporting cast.

4/26/21: Carter was part of a potent backfield combination for the Tar Heels in 2020, using his quickness to rip off yards in chunks. For the NFL, he could be an undersized rotational back who also contributes as a receiver. Carter was a consistent producer in the passing game over the past three years. Some team sources think he could become a starter in the NFL.

4/26/21: Felton was listed as a wide receiver by the NFL advance scouts, but was an effective running back for the Bruins in 2020. As a pro, he could be an undersized backup running back or compete as a slot receiver. Team sources say Felton had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl and was impressive as a slot receiver. Playing wideout looks like his best position for sticking in the NFL given his size and skill set.

8/29/20: Felton split his time between taking carries and catching passes in 2019 as a versatile weapon for the Bruins. For the NFL, he projects best as a slot receiver, but he could possibly receive some consideration as a third-down receiving back who provides a mismatch issue against linebackers.

4/26/21: Hubbard ran pretty well in 2020, but he also looked terrible in pass protection. His blocking is going to need a lot of work for the NFL. Medical and durability concerns could hurt him with some teams.

8/29/20: Hubbard took college football by storm in 2019, and he entered the final month of the regular season as the nation's leading rusher. Hubbard averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2019 for 2,094 yards with 21 touchdowns. He had 23 catches for 198 yards as well.

Hubbard lacks elite power and is a bit of a straight-line runner, but he has good vision and feel. Hubbard is a hard-charging back who has good contact balance with instincts. While Hubbard is a former track competitor, he is not a blazer. For the NFL, Hubbard has starting potential and can make some plays in the passing game. In speaking with some scouts, they feel that Hubbard could go in the second round.

As a redshirt freshman, Hubbard averaged six yards per carry for 740 yards with seven touchdowns and 22 receptions for 229 yards and two scores.

4/24/21: Over the past three seasons Patterson was a tough runner for Buffalo recording three straight seasons of 1,000 plus yards including a phenomenal 2019 year where he ran for almost 1,800 yards with 19 touchdowns. In some ways Patterson was even more impressive in 2020 when still had 19 touchdowns but saw his carries drop from 312 to 141 in the shortened season. Patterson is a short, thick back that has excellent balance with the power to break arm tackles. He is a creative runner and willing blocker in pass protection. Patterson will need development as an outlet receiver for the NFL.

4/26/21: Boyd struggled to find running lanes in 2020, but he could be a sleeper back who turns into a nice mid-round or third-day value.

8/29/20: Boyd went under the radar in 2019, but he was one of the best backs in the SEC last season. The Razorbacks will probably increase Boyd's workload under new head coach Sam Pittman. Boyd had only 184 carries last year, but he still went over 1,100 yards and notched eight scores. Boyd has also shown some nice receiving ability for a big back, as had good reception totals as a sophomore (23-165) and junior (19-160).

4/26/21: Ragas was solid for La.-Lafayette in 2020. He could develop into a NFL starter.

8/29/20: Ragas another was part of the three-headed monster La.-Lafayette fielded in 2019. The Ragin' Cajuns had three running backs on the preseason watch list for the 2020 NFL Draft, and this year, the team has Ragas and Elijah Mitchell back on the list. Ragas showed some nice running ability with quickness to go along with good size as a junior. It will be interesting to see how he and Mitchell perform with larger work loads in 2020.

4/26/21: Hawkins played well for Louisville in 2020, including an impressive game against Miami. He would be ranked higher if he weren't so vastly undersized.

8/29/20: Hawkins was an impressive runner for Louisville in 2019, showing a burst and an ability to handle a workload despite being undersized. For the next level, Hawkins needs to fill out his frame and show more receiving ability.

4/26/21: Mitchell ran well for La.-Lafayette in 2020.

8/29/20: Mitchell was part of a three-headed monster at La.-Lafayette in 2019. The Ragin' Cajuns had three running backs on the preseason watch list for the 2020 NFL Draft, and this year, the team has Trey Ragas and Mitchell back on the list. Mitchell led the trio in rushing last year, as the coaches gave him more carries (198) than Raymond Calais (117) and Ragas (116). Mitchell has workhorse potential, and it will be interesting to see how he handles more of a work load as a senior now that Calais is in the NFL.

4/26/21: Herbert did not do much in 2016-2019, but he broke out in 2020 to average almost eight yards per carry. Herbert ran well enough for the Hokies to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

4/26/21: Williams ran hard in limited opportunities. He has upside and could be a rotational contributor as a pro.

8/29/20: Willams is extremely undersized for the NFL, but he was very productive for Kansas over the past two seasons. Even though he is very light, Williams topped 200 carries last year while going over 1,000 yards with an average above five yards. On top of being a tough runner, Williams is a good receiver, making 60 catches over the past two seasons. Williams definitely needs to add weight for the next level.

4/26/21: Evans did not impress in 2020, but he has upside and could be better as a pro.

8/29/20: Evans is a quick and shifty runner who also can contribute in the passing game. He missed the 2019 season because of academic issues, but Michigan is said to be excited to re-incorporate Evans into its offense. He needed a big season as a runner and receiver to help his draft stock.

4/26/21: Brown is a big back who put up impressive production over the past few years. He ran well in 2020.

8/29/20: Brown averaged 3.8 yards per carry in 2019 for 566 yards and five touchdowns. He also made three receptions for 16 yards. Brown is a big back who put up impressive production over the previous two years. In 2018, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry for 1,227 yards for 16 touchdowns. He caught eight passes for 20 yards and a touchdown as well. In the 2017 season, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 1,329 yards with 10 touchdowns. Brown may not have the speed to stay at running back in the NFL, but he could gain weight and play some fullback.

4/26/21: North Carolina A&T was due to start playing football in February, but officially cancelled the season less than two weeks before its first game.

8/29/20: Martin started out his career at Coastal Carolina, but in 2019, he had an impressive season for North Carolina A&T. He showed some quickness with an average of 8.3 yards per carry while totaling 1,246 yards and 20 touchdowns on only 151 carries. On top of quickness, Martin has a strong build and runs hard.

4/26/21: Johnson averaged about 3.5 yards per carry in 2020.

8/29/20: Johnson was a hard runner for La.-Monroe in 2019 and was impressive enough to earn a spot on NFL teams' preseason watch list. It was his first season as a starter, and the JUCO product could be even better as a senior now that he has a year of FBS experience.

4/26/21: Rose ran hard for Kentucky in 2020.

8/29/20: Rose had the challenge of following a legend in the program, as he was the replacement for Benny Snell in 2019. Rose had a solid debut in 2019, averaging 5.5 yards per carry for 826 yards and six touchdowns, but Kentucky was forced to turn wide receiver Lynn Bowden into a running quarterback, and Bowden led the Wildcats on the ground with a prolific season. In 2020, Rose could be Kentucky's feature back, and he has the upside to produce more as a senior.

4/26/21: Knox was a solid runner in 2020.

8/29/20: Knox picked up the slack in 2019 with Tyler King out due to injury to put together a solid year for Marshall. While King is a speed back, Knox is a power runner and showed the ability to handle a big workload. The speed to be quick enough for the next level will be the key factor for Knox to address as a junior.

4/26/21: Saginaw Valley didn't play in the fall of 2020.

8/29/20: McCrary was a power runner for Saginaw Valley State over the past few seasons and was impressive enough to get on NFL teams' preseason radar. It would help him to impress at an all-star game against a higher caliber of competition.

4/26/21: Sargent ran well for Iowa in 2020, but he has a limited skill set for the NFL.

8/29/20: Sargent was a tough runner for Iowa over the past two seasons. He flashed some receiving ability to go along with being an undersized runner who can function between the tackles. A big 2020 season could have helped him rise.

4/26/21: Tiffin skipped football in the fall.

8/29/20: Hardy has served as a power back for Tiffin, assembling a career average of 6.4 yards per carry over three seasons. He has been a workhorse, but he needed a big senior year with a strong all-star game performance to rise. Hardy missed the 2018 season and has nine career fumbles, so he has to improve his ball security.

4/26/21: King wasn't with a team in 2020.

8/29/20: King has breakaway speed, and Marshall missed him in 2019, as he was out for the majority of the season with a leg injury. King showed his big play potential in 2017 and 2018. He needs to stay healthy and show more receiving ability as a senior.