VideoFrom Matt Waldman
2026 RSP A-Z Running Back Podcast: Matt Waldman’s RSP Cast
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this video and kept the full transcript here for context.
1 hr 6 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Apr 1, 2026
Published
Wed, April 1, 2026
26
Player insights
26
Players mentioned
Topics
Adam RandallAshton JeantyBucky IrvingChris CarsonCJ DonaldsonCooper KuppDavon BoothDean ConnorsDesmond ReidDominic RichardsonEmmett JohnsonJ'Mari TaylorJacory Croskey-MerrittJadarian Price
Player analysis
Player insights
Adam Randall
NegativeRole14:00
Former wide receiver from Clemson at 230+ lb; pad level is a critical developmental need. Randall inconsistently maintains proper pad level—sometimes too high leading to hits he should run through, other times bringing pads over his waist causing balance loss before the point of attack—and as a young RB converted from WR, improvement here is essential.
Insight pageAshton Jeanty
PositiveProjection7:08
Finished 11th in 2025 fantasy production overall; despite significant criticism from some observers about his performance, he delivered top-12 production, suggesting his actual output exceeded market skepticism.
Insight pageBucky Irving
NegativeRole23:54
Irving's workload is in question moving forward. At 5'9"-5'10" and 192-195 lbs, there's a public referendum on whether his height/weight profile may be an obstacle to full-time volume in the NFL. He couldn't get healthy last year after suffering an injury that usually doesn't take so long to heal. The Buccaneers held on to Sean Tucker and added Kenny Gainwell, suggesting they may be squeezing Irving out of the high-volume starting role and using him more as a change of pace.
Insight pageChris Carson
NegativeProjection33:54
Seahawks high-end starter posted a three-cone drill time of 7.53 seconds, well above the 7-second baseline for starting running backs. His example demonstrates that elite starters can have substandard combine drill times; his playing style shares similarities with Samaje Perine in working from a base that helps him work through contact.
Insight pageCJ Donaldson
NegativeRole18:10
Former tight end converted to running back at Ohio State. A one-speed power runner who lacks notable acceleration, but if given a crease to hit, he will create. Can make catches in underneath zones as a receiver and will find solutions when what's supposed to be blocked for him isn't there, but you shouldn't expect big gains from him.
Insight pageCooper Kupp
PositiveValue2:00
Historical example of a high-end value relative to ADP in rookie drafts; the source has identified Cooper Kupp as a player who was available at a reasonable draft pick while offering elite, top-caliber value, demonstrating the application of the source's value formula for identifying underpriced prospects.
Insight pageDavon Booth
PositiveProjection19:46
Mississippi State back initially characterized as a more explosive Kyle Manang guy without Manang's relentless power in the open field; has a low center of gravity and uses footwork well to bounce off hits from linebackers and safeties, works through reaches, wards off contact with his stiff arm, and can pull through wraps. Beyond that comparison, Booth's creative skill in the open field while operating at a good rate of speed and his curvilinear movement reminded the source of Dalvin Cook and Khalil Herbert—accomplished runners between the tackles who can break big play runs. As a receiver, Booth was more reliable than Herbert and more dynamic than Cook; he can take contact while adjusting to targets that lack pinpoint accuracy. Combining the best of Manang, Herbert, and Cook yields a back of JK Dobbins caliber.
Insight pageDean Connors
NegativeRole21:45
Houston (formerly Rice) running back characterized as a good receiver with above-average receiving skills. Gets both hands tight with overhand position, takes hits to back or chest while maintaining possession, high points the ball, extends well with arms wide of frame without leaving feet unnecessarily, has late hands to avoid tipping off defenders, turns well behind break path facing tight coverage, can catch while breaking opposite direction or falling backwards, has good positioning after catch, and attacks vertical routes with back to quarterback. Lapses occur when reaching over head with overhand attack, but he tracks ball over shoulders well and shows acrobatic skill and one-handed catch ability.
Insight pageDesmond Reid
NegativeRole26:54
Pittsburgh running back described as very dynamic player and open field runner with good pass-catching ability; better between the tackles than expected for his size, though size may limit total touches. Has lapses with pressure cuts at top speed—foot placement and plant-step positioning inconsistent, with instances of falling or sliding when attempting to bounce outside; needs to improve footwork stabilization on cuts across defenders in open space.
Insight pageDominic Richardson
PositiveRole27:54
Tulsa physical runner with strong scheme fit for gap-scheme NFL offenses increasingly adopted by teams. Despite limited speed and acceleration, Richardson extends downhill runs between the tackles via contact balance, cutback ability, and shiftiness in open space; has just enough lateral movement to thrive on off-tackle zone, inside zone, and gap-blocking diet. Positioned as reserve with preseason upside as power back.
Insight pageEmmett Johnson
PositiveRole37:18
Only running back to perform the three-cone drill this year and demonstrates elite movement versatility: executes lateral cuts like most backs but also leans hard on curvilinear movement like Dalvin Cook, flips his hips efficiently to make 90-degree turns without cutting, and processes information fast like Devin Singletary to identify pre-snap defensive tells for quick cutbacks or bounces. Post-snap, has precise feet to press deep into the line past defensive penetration and assess defenders. Runs gap plays frequently (limiting cutback/bounce needs) and is skilled in both gap and zone schemes, hitting the crease hard with pace and stride manipulation; footwork allows him to alter stride and pacing with his steps to get his feet over contact.
Insight pageJ'Mari Taylor
PositiveRole42:32
UVA running back with footwork and cutting ability to create space efficiently and dynamically; dangerous between the tackles and in the open field. Possesses acceleration to reach the secondary, power to run through defenders, and speed to maintain separation earned with his burst, allowing him to prolong runs and force defensive backs to give chase.
Insight pageJacory Croskey-Merritt
PositiveProjection6:27
Finished 31st in 2025 fantasy production; identified as an RSP favorite heading into the season, validating the source's pre-season evaluation.
Insight pageJadarian Price
PositiveRole1:05
Notre Dame running back with mobile hips and stride adjustment ability to set up rushing lanes; keeps knees and feet high to evade low shots and drops weight deep for strong acceleration; possesses curvilinear speed, reducing the need for hard cuts on every run. Weakness is footwork tightness when setting up moves near the line of scrimmage, which limits balance and skill expression.
Insight pageJaden Nixon
NegativeBreakout44:24
UCF running back prospect with elite speed, acceleration, and explosiveness; sees the field well in space, in traffic, and between the tackles; sets up runs effectively and mitigates penetration; demonstrates risk management based on game script and field position. Lighter frame but the source views him as a UDFA-type prospect worth monitoring despite being surpassed by Ashton Jeanty in high school, noting that significant development is possible (Saquon Barkley comparison at 188 lb as a freshman).
Insight pageJam Miller
NegativeProjection47:52
Speed and acceleration are key for Miller's NFL viability. When he reaches the second level, he can hold off or accelerate past most linebackers and safeties. He played hurt in 2025 and lacked speed, but in 2024 he split linebackers and safeties up the middle for field-flipping gains. His NFL viability depends on whether he regains enough acceleration to reach the secondary.
Insight pageJamaal Williams
NegativeProjection33:54
Three-cone drill time of 7.25 seconds places him in reserve-tier territory (7.2+ seconds), yet he has contributed at a high level in the NFL. Represents a hybrid archetype: a downhill banger with field-processing ability that allows him to be a step ahead in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
Insight pageJamal Haynes
PositiveProjection45:07
Georgia Tech running back whose NFL potential hinges on ability to make a living between the tackles; if he gains 10–15 lb to reach a frame similar to Aaron Jones's current build, outlook becomes more promising; likely to add quick-twitch muscle given his college slot receiver background; historical precedent exists (Kyle Williams, Aaron Jones, Jahmyr Gibbs) of undersized backs gaining weight post-draft; if Haynes reaches 205–210 lb while maintaining or adding explosion, possesses skills to become an NFL starter, including pullers setup, double-team creation, and leverage reading; demonstrates dynamic speed, acceleration, and quickness.
Insight pageJeremiyah Love
PositiveProjection9:20
Projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft; identified as the top running back prospect in the 2026 class with first-round caliber talent. The source identifies Love as the one safe bet in the 2026 RB class in terms of talent, draft capital, and opportunity; advises that if a team is only one to two runners away from fantasy prominence, this isn't a good class to acquire early-round RBs other than Love, as the rest are underrated talents likely to have only one of draft capital or opportunity, not both. Love is not just a speedster; he wins against contact, often absorbing multiple points of contact during the same touch, bounces off hits at all three levels of defense, and attacks collisions—initiating the chain of contact that allows him to work away from colliding defenders, a skill many modern backs lack.
Insight pageJonah Coleman
NegativeRole48:36
Coleman must learn to leverage his size and get downhill fast once past the line of scrimmage. He is too prone to bouncing plays outside and slanting inside looking for grain-against openings, lacks the explosiveness and agility to execute this, and gets tackled too easily for his size instead of sticking his foot in the ground to force pursuit angles that won't bring him down.
Insight pageLamar Jackson
PositiveValue2:00
Historical example of a high-end value relative to ADP in rookie drafts; the source has identified Lamar Jackson as a player who was available at a reasonable draft pick while offering elite, top-caliber value, demonstrating the application of the source's value formula for identifying underpriced prospects.
Insight pageNick Chubb
PositiveValue2:00
Historical example of a high-end value relative to ADP in rookie drafts; the source has identified Nick Chubb as a player who was available at a reasonable draft pick while offering elite, top-caliber value, demonstrating the application of the source's value formula for identifying underpriced prospects.
Insight pageOmarion Hampton
NegativeProjection5:50
Finished 35th in 2025 fantasy production; injury impact was a factor, though Najee Harris's early-season outperformance and subsequent injury also contributed to Hampton's final ranking. Harris was outplaying him early in the season, and once Harris returned to the field, Hampton might have wound up 35th anyway.
Insight pagePatrick Mahomes
PositiveValue2:00
Historical example of a high-end value relative to ADP in rookie drafts; the source has identified Patrick Mahomes as a player who was available at a reasonable draft pick while offering elite, top-caliber value, demonstrating the application of the source's value formula for identifying underpriced prospects.
Insight pageRJ Harvey
NegativeProjection7:00
Finished 20th in 2025 fantasy production; injury was the primary driver of his opportunity and ranking.
Insight pageWoody Marks
Full transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00Welcome to the RSP cast. I'm Matt Waldman with the Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Today's episode, we're going to do a solo cast on the 2026 running
0:07back class.
0:09It's considered a weak group of prospects relative to recent years, but is that simply because the league and the public are sleeping on one too many
0:16viable options?
0:18Well, I'm going to discuss one or two prevailing thoughts I have about at least 45 of the 53 running backs that's
0:24going to be featured in the 2026 RSP, the pre-draft publication. It's available for pre-order at mattwaldman.com, www.mattwaldman.com.
0:35It'll be available for April 1st download. Now, if you haven't purchased the RSP in the past, it's a PDF draft guide. Covers at least 150 players at
0:44the offensive skill positions of quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. And I'll probably have closer to 160 to 165 this
0:51year.
0:52Um it's been available for download every April 1st going on 21 years. And for over the over a decade, I've been
0:58delivering a post-draft guide 1 week after the NFL draft, a week after the final day of the NFL draft. And that's
1:05part of the subscription price for a total of 21.95. So, for 21.95, you're getting literally a 1,200-1,300 page draft
1:16guide, sometimes more, covering 160 prospects.
1:20And you're getting a post-draft guide that's going to update where I think these guys are really benefiting from landing spot, giving you depth chart
1:28analysis on you know, on where these players land. Um so, you got kind of an idea of how long you should expect for
1:35these players to be able to make an impact or whether they're going to have to wait a little bit more, good fits,
1:40bad fits.
1:41Cheat sheet that kind of helps you understand where players are getting drafted, but also where my rankings coincide with those draft values. So,
1:53you can see whether you should wait or you should um pick them a little bit earlier. I have something called an X
1:59value formula that I use that helps you understand where you should be taking these guys within reasonable value. So, like if I'm telling you like I have in
2:08the past that Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes or Nick Chubb um or Cooper Kupp were high-end values relative to where their ADP was in rookie drafts and to
2:19their draft capital even relative to that. I didn't say I may think these guys are worth a you know, elite values, but you don't
2:27have to pick them first overall. I can tell you oh, this is based on ADP. You can probably get this guy as a 26th pick
2:35or the 31st pick or the 36th pick and end up with running back value or I mean, excuse me, um elite value, you know, number one top
2:45caliber value um for a lot less. So, this is how I make my living. If you like the podcast, the YouTube channel,
2:54um social media that I do, all of that content is simply me sharing a small amount of my background research for the
3:01publication. And I go deep with the RSP.
3:04It helps you go deep with your knowledge and that way you can go deep on your league mates.
3:09Um so, you know, what I'm sharing sounds like there's a lot of information and that's great. And um a lot of people
3:17will talk it up and that's and I think I would say the way I would characterize the Rookie Scouting Portfolio is that
3:24it's low on frills and huge on substance. Um new readers always tell me they're pleasantly shocked with what they get. And that's
3:33kind of become my tagline. That's kind of whatever I've used with that. So, I'll share a little more detail about the Rookie Scouting Portfolio later in
3:39the podcast. This is an A to Z show on running backs.
3:43Um and like my previous solo casts in recent um years, I'll be sharing one or two things about these ball carriers and
3:51I find notable and I'll do it in alphabetical order.
3:54Um these thoughts going to fall into categories like of praise or criticism, lingering questions I might have, or even broader thoughts about evaluating
4:03the position. Um these are far from complete scouting reports.
4:07For the full deal, 21.95, mattwaldman.com.
4:11It'll get you that and you'll likely um tell me basically from your feedback that you're going to feel like I you're that
4:19you were underpaying for this. That's generally what happens is I like to joke from the extreme example is that if you're on X or social media, the first
4:29step to becoming a lifetime subscriber is to think I'm an idiot about football, then maybe change your mind a little bit
4:35and start listening to some of the work that I do or reading it or checking out the videos. And next thing you know, you
4:40take a chance on this thing and you're like, you should be charging twice as much. That's kind of the that's kind of
4:46the path from an extreme standpoint. Um most people I I I would hope most people don't think I'm an idiot, but you know,
4:52um they do tend to check out the book and go, wow, I heard a lot of hype, but I didn't expect it to to be even better
4:59than what I imagined. And I'm selling you, but that's the truth of the matter.
5:03I mean, um so, let's go ahead and get into the running back class. We'll start with thoughts on the 2026 class.
5:13Um you know, last year wide receiver lacked really that primary receiver star power of the previous three years of classes. And tight end had some skilled
5:23talents.
5:25Um but most of the fantasy leagues didn't really value the position highly.
5:30And quarterback was maybe two to three deep.
5:33Um running back was the strength of the 2025 class in terms of skill positions.
5:39Um but the demand for the position was low. I mean, the potential for most of these players to earn low NFL draft
5:45capital was something that I said would complicate matters and it did, you know?
5:50But when you look at the players who had successful fantasy production, Omarion Hampton was 35th and that part of that was due to injury.
5:59Um but also that Najee Harris got injured, too, because Harris simply was outplaying him early. Once he returned to the field, Hampton might have wound
6:09up 35th anyway. Um Kyle Manongai, 33rd as a guy at the back of the back depth chart that nobody really was talking
6:18about other than maybe the RSP, um who, you know, emerged on the second half of the season as a co-starter. Jacorey
6:27Croskey married another RSP favorite, 31st. Woody Marks, 29th. Quinshon Jenkins, 26th. Treyvion Henderson, thanks to injury, 21st. R.J. Harvey,
6:3820th. Same thing, due to injury. And Ashton Jeanty, 11th.
6:43And you would think that Ashton Jeanty was the worst running back of everybody on this list the way that some people
6:49were criticizing him, but he was 11th overall.
6:52These guys are all became factors early or due to injuries, as I said. The 2026 running back class enters a league where
7:0033 of the top 48 in 2025 in fantasy have 5 years of experience or less.
7:09And only 4 of the top 48 were over the age of 30. So, a lot of these guys are in their their prime or peak of their
7:16career. And of those four aging options who are left, maybe one of those jobs is going to be available for a rookie at
7:24the beginning of the year. I mean, Derrick Henry's one of those options.
7:28Nothing's coming available there unless he gets injured.
7:31Forecasting which of the rookies that's, you know, going to get one of those spots, it's just not as easy as ranking their
7:38talent. There's a a real narrow mar- margin of difference between most prospects.
7:44Um there's a 10th of a point separating the players in tier two this year.
7:49And there's 3.9 points separating the running back four and the running back 17 in tier three.
7:56So, these first 17 players have grades that are good enough for them to contribute meaningful value in a lineup.
8:03It means that a running back ranked in the middle to lower end of the top 17 could easily become one of the most
8:09productive options among this group. And this is presuming, of course, that he gets an opportunity and that maybe he improves on one or two facets of his
8:17game quickly or he's in an offense that's a suitable fit for his talents. And that's not always the case. You know, teams
8:25sometimes draft players based on some aspects of their games and overlook things that are going to make a difference.
8:32Um most of these backs are going to probably earn low or zero draft capital this year.
8:37The one to three that earn good draft capital probably will compete for roster spots and playing time. But fantasy GMs probably
8:46want to draft running backs a little bit later in the middle of the late rounds.
8:50I still recommend drafting running backs often in fantasy leagues, but make sure the bulk of them have value in the middle of the late rounds. Some things
8:59that you want to consider this year is that there is talent in this class. It's just that the buzz has been steadily
9:05deflating their value this year.
9:08And receivers are the strength of this class even if it's not as strong as it has been in recent seasons.
9:13And we have an instant starter talent at quarterback this year at Fernando Mendoza. There's also some compelling move tight ends. But remember the
9:23landscape, if you listen to the tight end podcast, the landscape of what makes the position value maybe changing.
9:31So, there's also the hobby's realization that receivers and quarterbacks offer more consistent long-term value for a fantasy roster.
9:40So, we know that that Jeremiah Love is going to be the first-round pick at quarterback. He's I'm going to running back. He's going to be a first-round
9:47pick.
9:48Now, we might see one or two others earn picks in the second or third round. And we'll see a few more in the fourth, but
9:54the bulk of the running back class will probably earn um a spot with a team between rounds five to seven. And a lot of names that you're
10:04going to see valued highly in the RSP's rankings will likely be late round picks and undrafted free agents.
10:12Um the widespread narrative about this year's class is that it's bad.
10:16But with the difference between above average, average, and below average, if you're going to tear it that way, essentially amounts to plus or minus one
10:26running back.
10:27So, I think it's probably best to presume that most running back classes are worse classes than advertised, you know, because most running back classes
10:37people tend to say are pretty good or or above average.
10:41Um and so, I would say maybe presume that it's one less player than you expect.
10:46This year's going to be the exception.
10:48I'm going to say it's probably best to presume that this class is a better class than advertised and to exploit the
10:56potential values during the second half of your drafts. Um if you make that presumption, I think you're still more likely to place a higher value on
11:06receivers and quarterbacks to build your team and trade for established running backs once you develop um a stockpile of fantasy talent elsewhere.
11:17But if you make the presumption that this running back class has underrated talent, but most of them will be day three NFL picks or UDFAs, then the
11:26wisest course for most fantasy squads um that are not one to two runners away from serious contention is to trade current picks for um
11:36later picks in 2027, 2028. I mean I mean picks in the next year, not later picks.
11:43You're going to get earlier and more um you're going to get picks that are earlier in the draft and more of them in
11:49future years when you trade this way.
11:51Um now, the suggestion with this strategy has nothing to do with the talent of the classes in '27 and '28. It's the
11:59idea that you're going to get earlier picks and more of them making these deals. And if the class doesn't have the
12:06talent to stockpile running backs or other positions to trade for um you know, down the line, you can just trade again and acquire even more draft
12:17capital for 2028, 2029.
12:20Um if you're only one to two runners away from fantasy prominence though, this isn't really a good class to acquire them in the early rounds other
12:28than Jeremiah Love. He's the one safe bet in terms of talent, draft capital, and opportunity. The rest are underrated talents and I think they'll have you
12:39know, will likely have one that gets draft capital or an opportunity if not both.
12:45Um but the thing is is most of them will probably have one of those chara- characteristics, draft capital or opportunity. And
12:54you know, that means that you're you're just hoping for a patience play. Um another strategic suggestion is to acquire one of the top three to five
13:03receivers in the first round and then take your chances on running backs in the other rounds.
13:08Um and then I would say a third option is to trade away your first and second round picks for more early picks in the
13:15next one to two drafts and then just take chances on these unsung runners in the later rounds, but I would say really, you know, why not go
13:23after the receivers in the early rounds in this this draft. So, anyway, the top 17 backs in this class, I think are all
13:30capable of delivering fantasy value this year if given an opportunity, they have a good fit, and they have a quick acclimation process. And I think
13:39there's 34 runners in this class with the talent to become a running back two or running back three on a depth chart and be a viable weekly
13:49contributor um when there's an injury to a starter.
13:53All right. So, that's my thoughts on the 2026 class overall. Let's get into some of these players here. We're going to start with
14:01Adam Randall of Clemson. He's a former wide receiver, um big back, over 230 lb.
14:08His size should be an asset against contact, and sometimes it is. Um his pad level though is what needs work and it's
14:16why it's not a constant, it's more of a variable. In some runs, his pads are too high and he gets caught with his hit um
14:24you know, basically he gets caught with hits um into his frame and these are hits that he probably should have run
14:30through if he had lower pad level.
14:32Then on other runs, Bra- Randall brings his pads over his waist and he does it in a way where he loses balance before
14:38he even reaches the point of attack. Um so, Randall just doesn't have a great feel for pad level right now. As a young
14:45running back who converted from wide receiver, we're going to want to see him get better at this.
14:51LJ Henderson of Buffalo, most of you probably haven't heard of him. He has starter size, he has enough explosion to threaten a secondary when he earns a
14:59long enough runway to to get there. So, you can see that the acceleration is the question mark here. Um but put him in a
15:05gap scheme with some inside zone sprinkled in and I think he can find cutbacks that earn him a run a big
15:12runway like that on occasion, so he may flip the field every once in a while. I think he has good hip mobility, he's got
15:18curvilinear bend and the confidence to hit tight creases and take what the defense gives. So, this is a combination that gets him into creases and out of
15:26them. Um from there, Henderson finishes well enough to generate yards after the contact.
15:32I don't know if this guy's going to even get a UDFA opportunity, but if he does, you know, he might be worth keeping an
15:39eye on him a little bit just if you're a fan of the team that he gets signed to and if he surprises with a little bit
15:44more with his explosion, then there might be something there to consider.
15:48Anthony Hankerson of Oregon State, he fits that Kyren Williams, Devonta Freeman mold of runner in terms of size, dimension, style.
15:58He has a low center of gravity, he makes intelligent decisions between the tackles, and he's just creative enough to get more than what's blocked for him.
16:06Um Hankerson's speed needs a longer runway to reach its top gear than what might prove viable in the NFL.
16:12So, unlike Williams and Freeman, um you know, Hankerson lacks the play strength and contact balance of these starters.
16:22Ayoola Adeyeye, uh he is from James Madison, formerly North Texas.
16:27He's a cutback runner, he's got a low center of gravity. He also has curvilinear speed and starter caliber footwork and agility.
16:34Adeyeye's speed and acceleration are enough to make the NFL um in theory.
16:40But in practice, there's a glut of running back talent in the sport and that's up the current baseline for these athletic athletic
16:47skills that Adeyeye doesn't really have to that extent. Um Chip Trayanum um Chip Trayanum is a former linebacker to
16:58Ohio State. Tra- after he played, moved to running back there, he then moved to um running back at Kentucky and then
17:07wound up at Toledo.
17:09Um while the processing speed isn't where he needs to be in the NFL, Trayanum has made enough gains between last season and this season that there's
17:21reason to project more gains could be possible with him. Um he's become a decisive gap runner, he's beginning to press creases as a zone runner,
17:30and if the depth of these presses isn't enough for the professional game um right now, doesn't mean that it might not get
17:37better. Um Trayanum is now doing a better job of pressing some of the interior gaps on perimeter runs that he didn't do in previous years.
17:47Um and you can see the processing with Trayanum kind of bogging down right now and you can see it when he's hopping
17:54during his gate while assessing potential creases behind the line of scrimmage. Le'Veon Bell would hop behind the line of scrimmage like this, but
18:02this was a ploy or technique to set up a liner or defender. Trayanum is hopping well before he's even setting up a path
18:10and I think that hop often precedes more tentative behavior from him.
18:14CJ Donaldson of Ohio State, he's a former tight end converted to running back. Um Donaldson's a one-speed power runner. He lacks notable acceleration
18:23and but if you give him a crease to hit, he's going to create. Feed him the ball in underneath zones as a receiver, he's
18:29going to make the catch. Ask Donaldson to create when what's supposed to be blocked for him isn't there and he'll find solutions there, too, but
18:36you're not going to expect big gains from him.
18:39Kennesaw State's Coleman Bennett, not far from here.
18:43Um Bennett is a decisive tight crease runner. If he spots the anticipated opening and understands the defense and play design. When he doesn't or the
18:53crease is clogged, his decision-making can go to extremes and this will lead to worse outcomes in the NFL than it occasionally does in the college game.
19:02But the saving grace for Bennett is that he accounts for game scripts and field position as a decision-maker, which makes him a promising game manager
19:11that I think NFL teams want from running backs in the black zone and red zones.
19:15Um so, he's kind of intriguing as a UDFA type.
19:19Daniel Hishaw Jr. of Kansas, he's a smart runner, he connects you gap or inside zone schemes. He processes information as a runner with at a
19:28starter level. I mean, he spots penetration, he finds cutbacks, he presses creases deep enough to set up those rushing lanes. Hishaw's power, his
19:37footwork, his change of direction, they're all also at starter level of play. But what's hurting his game is ball security, pass protection, and
19:46route running.
19:47Um De'Von Booth of Mississippi State, you know, my first impression of Booth was that he was a more explosive Kyle Manang guy without Manang guy's
19:57relentless power in the open field. Cuz Booth has a low center of gravity and pads the and footwork he uses well are the
20:06you know, he uses them well to bounce off hits from linebackers and safeties.
20:11He'll work through reaches, he wards off contact with his stiff arm, and he can pull through some wraps after he's dragged the defender along. Um and I
20:19still stand by that Manang guy characterization somewhat, but there's more to his game.
20:24Booth's creative skill in the open field while operating in a good rate of speed, as well as his curvilinear movement, reminded me of Dalvin Cook and Khalil
20:33Herbert, a pair of accomplished runners between the tackles who can break big play runs that flip the field if not breakaway runs from the
20:41pack. Um then I watched Booth catch the ball, and he was more reliable than Herbert and more dynamic than Cook. Um
20:51Booth can take contact while adjusting the targets that lack um pinpoint accuracy.
20:57Um combine the best of Manang guy, Herbert, and Cook, and you get a back the caliber of JK Dobbins before the
21:04Achilles tear and knee surgeries.
21:06Um I I just said that I thought that Cook was a little um excuse me, that Booth was a little more dynamic than
21:12Cook, but I would say maybe dynamic in terms of movement skills. Let me qualify that. I don't know if he's overall more
21:19dynamic than Cook. I wouldn't put it that way. But as a mover, I think he's more dynamic. Um Booth isn't really on
21:28JK Dobbins' level as a creator after contact runner, but he has the athletic ability and skills to to do a mean
21:35rendition of Khalil Herbert circa Chicago. And but the difference is that I think Booth has legitimate passing down potential that Herbert didn't.
21:45All right, Dean Connors of Houston, formerly with Rice.
21:49He's a good receiver. He gets both hands tight when attacking with overhand position. He takes hits to his back or chest and maintains possession. He can
21:58win the ball um you know, on the numbers, he high points. Um he doesn't leave his feet unnecessarily when he when the ball's over his head. Um he
22:08extends well with his arms wide of his frame and above well above his head without leaving his feet. And he has
22:14late hands, so he he's even good at waiting for the um ball at the last moment to attack it, so he doesn't tip
22:20off defenders. Um he turns behind his break path well when especially facing tight coverage trailing, and he'll um
22:28also even turn away and catch the ball while breaking the opposite direction or falling backwards. Um he has good positioning after he makes the catch.
22:39And uh I like the fact that he attacks at the earliest point of vertical routes with his back to the quarterback. It's
22:46the place where Connors has lapses is clap attacking when he has to reach over his head with overhand attack. Um but um he's aware of the boundary,
22:57tracks the ball over his shoulders well, and I think that he has some acrobatic skill, and he can even use one hand and
23:07show some of that hand-eye coordination that makes him, you know, an above-average receiver.
23:13All right, Demond Clayborn.
23:16Now, if there's an area that could limit the 188 pound Clayborn ceiling as a professional, it's that frame. It's that size, 188 lb.
23:26There's going to be legitimate questions about how much of a workload Clayborn can handle each week, and you know, the question will be will
23:34the league be too punishing for this Wake Forest running back.
23:39Um Jahvid Best was a great young running back, but concussions forced him to retire after 3 years in the league, and he was
23:47a dynamic speedster at 5'9 190. Um there's some questions right now about Bucky Irving's workload moving forward.
23:54He's 5'10 195, couldn't get healthy last year after suffering an injury that usually doesn't take so long to heal, and now they held on to Sean Tucker, and
24:05they added Kenny Gainwell. So, maybe they're squeezing out Irving at least squeezing him out of the the the high volume starting role
24:17and using him more as a change of pace.
24:18We're going to find out.
24:20Clinton Portis even weighed 190 to 195 out of Miami when he had a fantastic rookie year for Denver. Now, according to my buddy Cecil Lammy,
24:30Portis was even lighter by season's end.
24:32So, this inspired him to add significant muscle, and he played most of his career between 215 and 225. Now, at the same
24:40time, despite those guys not having as much success long-term, James Cook and Charlie Garner are 190.
24:47Garner was a change of pace for most of his career, but he had four seasons as a starter or co-starter for the 49ers and Raiders
24:55where he averaged 1,718 1,718 yd per game, 1,718 yd per um excuse me, not per game, but from the line of scrimmage, and 7.5
25:06touchdowns during that space. He only missed three games during that time, and it was really one game a year for three
25:13of those four years. Um Cook has averaged 1,582 yd from scrimmage and 12 and 2/3 scores for the past 3
25:24years, and he's only missed one game out of 51 on the schedule. Then you got Jamaal Charles. He played at 195 to 200. He had five seasons out of
25:35six where the yardage was better than Garner's 1,718 yd average during that 3-year stint, and his touchdown totals Charles just
25:45touchdown totals were on par with some of um James Cook's best efforts.
25:50So, Portis, Garner, and Charles were dynamic movers. They held up under strong workloads in college, and Charles had what, 582 touches in three
25:59seasons at Texas. Garner had 330 touches in two seasons at Tennessee.
26:05Portis had 461 touches in three seasons in Miami.
26:09Cook was the only back from this group with less than 300 career touches. He had 297 in 4 years.
26:15And you know, to compare that to Demond Clayborn, Clayborn in 4 years at Wake Forest had 613 touches.
26:24Clayborn's a skilled pass catcher. He's a decent blocker with flashes of high-end skills there, and he's a promising route runner. You know, so
26:32Clayborn's 188 lb may not be the question mark we believe it to be. Now, I don't think he's going to get the
26:38chance to prove it right away as a lead back, but he's going to get to open some eyes as a playmaker early in his career
26:44and seen enough touches that fans and teammates will want more, and the NFL team that takes him might realize that it's worth taking a chance to see.
26:54Pittsburgh's Desmond Reed.
26:57You know, he I would say very dynamic player, open field runner, good pass catcher, better between the tackles than you'd expect for a guy his size, even
27:07though his size might limit how much touches he actually gets, but Reed's pressure cuts can be a problem when he's running at top speed.
27:16The foot working off the plant steps got to get further in front of him and steady on the ground, and I've seen him
27:22fall backwards.
27:24Um it's not fall backwards. I've seen him fall down because he hasn't happened to um you know, get his feet stabilized on
27:31these cuts across the face of defenders in open space. Um you also see where maybe the step was far enough in front,
27:39but he's putting his weight outside that plant step and slides to the ground trying to bounce outside. So, he can make pressure cuts and maintain his
27:48footing, but this is something you know, some of these cuts he has lapses with.
27:54Tulsa's Dominic Richardson, before that Oklahoma State. This is a physical runner. He fits well in the run schemes that move NFL teams are adopting or
28:03excuse me, move NFL teams.
28:06He he's a physical runner who fits well in a scheme that where there are more teams adopting these gap schemes. Um he has
28:14just enough shiftiness to thrive on a steady diet of off-tackle zone, inside zone, and gap blocking. Now, despite limited speed and acceleration,
28:24Richardson can extend downhill runs between the tackles because of his contact balance, his cutback ability, and his shiftiness in open space. Um so,
28:35I'd keep an eye on him a little bit um more as a reserve, but you're going to see some good things
28:41with from him in the preseason, I think, when he has an opportunity to be a power back.
28:46Oh, Navy's Eli Hilderbrand. He's a special teams guy, I think, more as a return specialist and coverage option who I think he can contribute on offense
28:56as a fourth or fifth receiver, but more likely as a utility player who earns touches as a running back.
29:03Um more uh or as much as he earns as a receiver. Now, the ball-carrying skills that Hilderbrand has are really on the
29:11perimeter and open field. He's more of an extension of the ground game um in space, and I think that that's something that
29:21we need to understand is that he's probably got more upside as a receiver, and he's probably closer to being a good
29:26receiver than he is a between-the-tackles runner because of the way he was used. It was more in space and perimeter, and it's harder to
29:33learn how to run between the tackles if you really haven't done a ton of it.
29:37Draw plays don't really count, you know, that's open field space running just starting in the middle of the field. At least by design, that's what they hope
29:46for. USC's Eli Sanders.
29:49Now, this is an explosive gap runner. He has confident zone running skills. And he's got breakaway speed and strong acceleration.
29:58And the footwork is good enough to create a lot of these spaces for lift-off. So, Sanders has an ACL tear.
30:05Um if he can get healthy enough within the next year or two, he might make his way onto a lineup.
30:11He's got um he doesn't lack he doesn't have significant power, but he runs with good enough pad level and breaks tackles when
30:18he generates momentum. And because he can get his feet high at the point of attack from low shots, he he avoids
30:24wrap-ups that drop less agile backs. I think he's he's a guy that I don't have rated very high, but I could see him
30:31surprising.
30:33Um Amik Johnson of Nebraska. He is this year's candidate for the NFL combine threw a red herring into the collective draft's analysis.
30:44That's how I would describe that. Cuz let's start with his 40-yard dash. He ran 4.56 seconds.
30:52It's the same time Aaron Jones had when they had similar dimensions at point the this point in their careers.
31:01That 4.56 mark is fast enough to start in the NFL.
31:06Um so is the 4.29 second 20-yard shuttle.
31:10Um while the 4.3 yard the 4. Excuse me, the 4.3 second mark for that 20 shuttle would be at the minimum standard
31:19guidelines for the starter tier, you know, Johnson's just inside of that.
31:25Um For whatever it's worth, though, remember that these times are being measured by technology that's either second- or third-rate
31:37and has a higher variation with these times that makes this these measuring tools much less reliable than they want you to believe.
31:45Um you know, the the 4.56 and the 4.29 second marks for the 40 and the 20, they're considered underwhelming marks for Johnson
31:56because the media and draft culture have been brainwashed to overvalue relative athletic score percentiles. Listen, RAS has a use and it can be an informative resource
32:06and it's a definitely entertaining.
32:08And there's value in knowing that the percentile what percentile of the NFL combine participants' performances looks like relative to his peers. But I
32:18think it unintentionally creates noise for that's um for for what they're trying to have as a signal.
32:25You know, the real signal is knowing what the minimum expected times should be for each position based on physical dimensions, style of
32:34movement, and expected role. Whether, you know, is that time a minimum for an elite player, for a starter, for someone who's a you know, a contributor who
32:44rotates in and out of the lineup, or someone who only has like a small situational role or a reserve role.
32:52You know, there there are numbers you could kind of look at there that might give you the baseline a little bit more.
32:58And these factors would provide valuable context well beyond RAS percentiles. So, when Johnson had his, you know, three-cone drill, he ran 7.32 seconds.
33:09Well, the RAS percentile apostles of the pseudoscience church of oblong moneyball that bounces too funny for predictability in everything baseball does immediately,
33:21you know, they they cited this 30-second percentile set um three-cone drill like they were saying amen from the pews of Lucas Oil
33:31Stadium.
33:32You know, let's dig a little deeper into this good book of uh you know, uh uh of that they're spouting here. You
33:41know, so first of all, the three-cone drill time commensuring with a starting running back in the RSP is 7 seconds flat or
33:49less.
33:51But there are backs who contributed or have recently contributed at a high level with no better than reserve tier three-cone marks of 7.2 seconds.
34:02Kenneth Gainwell, 7.26 seconds in the three-cone drill.
34:06Dalvin Cook, 7.27 seconds in the three-cone drill. Samaje Perine, 7.25.
34:14Jamaal Williams, 7.25. Chris Carson, Chris Carson, the Seahawks starter, a high-end starter, 7.53
34:25seconds.
34:27Okay. Devin Singletary, 7.32 seconds.
34:31These backs came in at all shapes and sizes. You know, you got Perine, who's the bulldozer with straight-line game.
34:37Um when he changes direction, he's kind of working from a base that helps him work through contact. Chris Carson wasn't as extreme in this respect, but
34:45there were similarities. And then you got Devin Singletary and Kenneth Gainwell.
34:50The compensatory factors for their lack lackluster times is their mental processing of information at the line of scrimmage and the speed of executing solutions that
35:00combine a variety of tools that a lot of backs that process that possess a lot more athletic ability just can't perform.
35:08Um both Singletary and Kenneth Gainwell um possess precise footwork. It's footwork that might not work for the three-cone drill, but it's optimal for football.
35:19And I would say Williams was a combination of both groups. He was a downhill banger, but he also possessed the um or excuse me, processed the field
35:27well enough to be a step ahead in certain situations like short yardage in the red zone.
35:33Now, the player on this list that stands out alone was arguably the best of the group. That was Dalvin Cook.
35:40And I was there when the spark denomination of the percentile apostles of the pseudoscience church of oblong moneyball that bounces too funny for
35:49predictability in everything baseball does uh were ready to doom Cook for football.
35:55Con- condemned him to hell basically because of a three-cone drill and a vertical that weren't up to their expectations. And it wasn't pretty.
36:04Um but here's what I shared about Cook that they didn't consider.
36:09And if they did consider it, they couldn't do anything about it because of the limits of the data collection method of the drills.
36:16The three-cone drill approximates changes of direction we see from players performing lateral cuts.
36:22The correct assumption is that most running backs make lateral cuts when they change direction.
36:27But Dalvin Cook was an exception. When you watch his film, much of his change of direction was rooted in curvilinear movement, bending
36:35around an obstacle at high rates of speed. The best at this skill can bend tight enough in a that rate of speed
36:41that it can be effective as making cuts.
36:44Well, Cook didn't even use lateral cuts as a runner. If you watch, very rarely, if ever, I didn't ever see him make one.
36:50In some cases, you'd see his foot feet move in place like little pistons moving up and down before he rotated in the
36:57direction he wanted to run.
36:59You can watch this yourself on YouTube highlights. You're going to see it.
37:03Um Cook's curvilinear movement was a compensatory factor if you're comparing one-to-one to lateral cuts.
37:10Um another perspective is that curvilinear movement simply a style of movement that some players favor.
37:16Um Patrick Mahomes is a curvilinear runner when he breaks the pocket.
37:20But because the general public and um the apostles of the oblong moneyball I ain't saying that whole mouthful again. Since those apostles
37:29didn't consider that their methodology for measuring performance cannot be one-size-fits-all, Cook's stock fell in the public eye.
37:38Now, the Vikings knew better. They knew enough to take him in the second round.
37:42And Cook had a eight-year career with four-year peak that that where he had at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage. His best season was a 1,918 yard season
37:54from from scrimmage with 17 touchdowns.
37:57Um these four peak years happened in consecutive fashion.
38:01They also happened after Cook tore his ACL during his rookie year. So, in addition to everything else mentioned, the three-cone drill is not an everyday
38:10football drill.
38:12It's one of the more difficult drills to perform with the technique to maximize the result.
38:17And only 13% of the combine participants even did it.
38:21So, Johnson was the only running back to do it this year. The three-cone drill has the lowest participatory rate for a
38:28while now, and it's because it's a skill unto itself rather than an exercise to mimic the true skill. They need to get rid of it,
38:35if you ask me, or find something better.
38:38Um because if a player does well, it matches what I see on the field, I'm going to cite the three-cone drill
38:43because they had to train for it. They went above and beyond to get the technique down. You know, and it and
38:50there's going to be somebody listening to this who say, "Well, you know, if they prepared and did what they're supposed to do for this, then it shows
38:56that they really want this and that they're going to prepare what they do in the NFL." It's a nice logical thought,
39:02but there's a fallacy for that, okay? Um there are guys who don't train for certain things because they know that it's a waste of time
39:10and that they they already possess the skills enough to to be on the field and don't have to prove anything.
39:16All right? And so there's a there's some of that that goes in there. I mean, there's a lot of there's a lot of
39:21football players who when they get a chance to tell a coach later on, you know, when the coach said, "So, did
39:28I sh- when I shared all this information with you, was it helpful?" And the player was like, "Coach, to be honest
39:32with you, nobody listens to you at this point.
39:35You know, there's too much information you're trying to share. You know, the good coaches put you in an in a situation to where you can leverage your
39:43athletic skills without thinking too much to to to make big plays.
39:48So, anyway, you know, going above and beyond or training you know, from that standpoint, I mean, I like that they went above and
39:56beyond, but I'm not going to put a blanket, you know, um statement about all players about that and whether they're good. Now, if
40:04they didn't train for it and ran well, well, they're even quicker on the field than the drill indicates. So, that's a
40:09good thing, too. But if a player doesn't do well, and it doesn't match what he does on the field, honestly, I just throw it out in the
40:17three-cone drill. Um if it's if too much is made about this drill, um in a total, I'm just going to I'd rather
40:25just tell you why it's a drill.
40:27Um unlike Cook, Emmett Johnson, back to him, executes cuts with his game. And like Cook, he leans hard on curvilinear
40:37movement. So, he can do both. Johnson also flips his hips efficiently. That allows him to make 90° 90° turns without the need of cutting. And like Devin
40:47Singletary, he processes information fast and he can be a step ahead. Um repeatedly, Johnson identifies pre-snap tells from defenders. He leverages it
40:57for quick cutbacks or bounces open space.
41:00And post-snap, Johnson has precise feet to press deep enough into the line to work past the defensive push or penetration. He gets to buy time to
41:08assess them um and manipulate. Um Johnson also runs a lot of gap plays, so there's not a lot of need for cutbacks,
41:15bounces, or reversals of field in this scheme. On the back pay, you know, he basically plays with pace and stride length if needed, but otherwise, he hits
41:24the crease hard without hesitation. Now, he's not just a gap runner. He's skilled and experienced with duo and varieties of zone, too. Um
41:33and but he's got precise footwork, um and maybe his jump cuts aren't as electric as the altar boys confirmed by the apostles of moneyball
41:41wanted to be, but he gets his feet over contact and he alters stride and pacing with his steps. Um so, I think that, you know,
41:51I always think of like Frank Gore when folks cite drills instead of footwork on tape. Gore is like the aged Cliff
41:57Siterman with two ACL tears who befuddled these apostles when he was quicker and more precise and more productive on the field on the same
42:06plays and obstacles that someone like their appointed bishop Anthony McFarland was. So, last I heard though, I heard that the data papacy
42:15quietly transferred McFarland to the UFL branch.
42:19Um so, yeah, keep an eye on Emmett Johnson.
42:22Freddie Brock of Georgia State. If Brock could sharpen his third-down game and show decent short-range explosion, I think he could earn a reserve role,
42:30especially he can play special teams.
42:32Jamari Taylor, um he has the He's at UVA.
42:37He has the footwork and cutting ability to create space with efficiency and dynamism. It makes Taylor dangerous between the tackles and in the open
42:45field, I think. Taylor has the acceleration to reach the secondary, the power to run through defenders at this level, and the speed to at least
42:53maintain the separation he initially earned with his burst, so he can prolong the run and force defensive backs to give chase.
43:02All right, Notre Dame's Jadarian Price.
43:10Price has mobile hips.
43:12He adjusts his stride length and pace to set up rushing lanes. And he keeps his knees and feet high as he runs past low
43:19shots, and he drops his weight deep enough to for strong acceleration. Um Price also possesses curvilinear speed, so he doesn't have to make hard cuts
43:28with every run.
43:30Price got to keep his feet tighter when he's setting up moves while tight to the line of scrimmage though, because he
43:37doesn't operate from a place of balance when this happens and it limits the expression of his other skills.
43:45All right, Jayden Nixon you set UCF um you know, he Ashton Jeanty actually backed up Jayden Nixon in high school.
43:54I thought that was fascinating in the same way that, you know, Saquon Barkley was 188 lb as a freshman at Penn State. And things can change
44:02fast when there's still a lot of room for growth.
44:05Um Nixon is one of those players who um may have been surpassed by Jeanty, but he's a promising runner. Um he
44:15doesn't and I would say it doesn't really diminish Nixon's value as a potential NFL contributor that Jeanty has surpassed him. He's
44:24explosive. He has elite speed and acceleration. And he sees the field well in space and in traffic and between the tackles. He sets up runs well. He
44:33mitigates um penetration and he really understands how to manage his risk based on game script and field position. He's a fascinating player. He's a lighter
44:42player, but he's one that I'd I'd keep an eye on, you know, as a UDFA type.
44:48Jaden Ott. Between the tackles, Ott has some clear strengths and weaknesses. And when you're running against tight boxes, he's patient. He reads leverage well. He
44:57takes what the defense gives him.
44:59But when running against heavier boxes, he makes ill-advised cutbacks and bounces. And that's something that you notice that he's more of a space player.
45:07Jamal Haynes of Georgia Tech. The biggest question is whether Haynes can make a living between the tackles.
45:14The outlook would seem more promising if Haynes could gain, you know, 10 to 15 lb and have a frame that Aaron Jones has
45:21right now. It's likely that as a college slot receiver for most of his career that Haynes um will get a chance to add some quick
45:29switch twitch muscle to his frame. And if he's able to do that, then I think you're going to see um you know, a player who who could, you
45:40know, perform well. If we remember, you know, Kyle Williams is a much less explosive player and only weighed a few pounds more than Haynes
45:49when Williams entered the league. And Bucky Irving arrived at 5'9 192. So, there's going to be a public referendum on Irving, of course, being, you know,
45:59maybe the decisiveness an obstacle to full-time volume.
46:02Um but still, anytime there's a running back that weighs less than 200 lb, there's going to be questions. So, for the sake of
46:10Haynes' elevator pitch here, let's project that Haynes follows Williams, Jones, and um Jahmyr Gibbs and a few other backs who shared this height and
46:21weight and then gained weight to get over 200 lb after entering the league.
46:26If Haynes gets between 205 to 210 lb and maintains or adds more explosion in the process, there are skills there to mine in terms
46:37of becoming a starter in the NFL. Um he's good at setting up pullers, setting up double teams in gap zone or inside
46:44zone. And he has leverage reading skills to do the job. And despite his dynamic speed and acceleration and quickness, he's a he's also shown wise
46:53decision-making based on game script and down and distance. And when defenses foil blocking schemes early, Haynes has a good feel for the pursuit and finds
47:01solutions.
47:04Jae Ducker. Jae Ducker of I believe it's Rutgers.
47:08Um or it maybe it's Temple. I don't remember where Jae's I got to look up where Jae's at. Sorry, folks. You'll see
47:14it right on the RSP. Jae Ducker, it's been a while since I watched him other than, you know, earlier this year.
47:19Ducker is a cutback runner.
47:21He attacks tight creases with discipline and he sets up defenders and blocks with effective footwork. Um he's got efficient moves to work around or over
47:30contact. And when you get him in the open field, he has skill to layer moves in succession and make multiple defenders miss. He's when he reaches the
47:38secondary, and he's got a downhill runway, he can hold off pursuit for 30 to 40 yd cuz he has um strong play
47:46stamina with all that movement.
47:49Um Jam Miller of Alabama.
47:52Speed and acceleration going to be the key for Miller.
47:55When he reaches the second level, he can at least hold off, if not accelerate past most linebackers in the secondary.
48:01Um now, you know, he played hurt in 2025 and the speed was not there. But if you go back to 2024, you'll see him split
48:12linebackers and safeties up the middle for field-flipping gains. So, if he has enough acceleration to reach the secondary, he's he's dangerous. I just
48:23don't know if he has enough of that.
48:26Jeremiah Love Notre Dame. Uh he's not just a speedster.
48:30Love wins against contact, often multiple points of contact during the same touch. He bounces off hits at all three levels of defenses defenders, and
48:39it's because he attacks collisions. A lot of backs don't do this well anymore, but when you can initiate the chain of
48:46contact or the chain of actions that happen in a collision, you usually have a chance to work away from that colliding defender, and Love
48:55does that well.
48:56Washington's Jonah Coleman.
49:00Once Coleman's past the line of scrimmage, he has to learn to leverage his size and get downhill fast. He's too prone to
49:08bouncing plays with outside pursuit.
49:11And he ends up slanting inside thinking that he's going to find openings against the grain of the defense's flow.
49:19And he's just not that explosive or that agile to to do this.
49:24He's big.
49:25What he should be doing is sticking his foot in the ground and forcing the pursuit to hit him from angles that
49:30won't bring Coleman to the ground as easily, but he gets tackled too easily for his size.
49:37Um, Indiana's Kaylen Black.
49:40Black's a smart runner. He's got cutback ability. I think he attacks downhill with ferocity for his size. And he finds cutbacks with deep presses into the
49:48line. But when it's time to just hit a crease as designed, he'll get skinny through that crease.
49:54Black's got good footwork. He understands how to manipulate defenders with pace and stride changes. And he has that dynamic jump stop and spin to avoid
50:04late shots. And if Black can get his feet higher in traffic, I think he could be even tougher to bring to the turf.
50:12Um, Penn State's Keyvone Allen.
50:15Allen's got the mobile hips to make those 90° changes of direction efficiently that are valuable. He adjusts his stride length and pace to
50:22set up blockers in pursuit. And when he's in the open field, he can deliver combinations of moves to set up unblocked defenders.
50:29If there's a move, Allen has it. And he delivers it with the confidence and occasional dynamism of a contributor.
50:38But speed and acceleration, those are the weaknesses of Allen's ball carrying.
50:43They're good enough for them to make an active roster in the NFL, maybe even contributors at running back, too, at least on paper.
50:49But when you look at the current reality of the NFL, there's a glut of running back talent.
50:54And most backs on depth charts in the league have starter-level acceleration and speed.
51:00And not what most NFL combine followers think is starter-level explosion. It's even slower than that. But the RSP's minimum standards for that, they have.
51:11And when you consider that Allen's speed and acceleration are closer to the minimum for a contributor and not a starter, while most reserves are closer to the
51:20starter tier.
51:23Keshawn Owens, um, University of South Florida.
51:28He's good at adjusting his gait. He can get his um, get as good at lifting his feet and knees high in traffic as he is
51:35against unblocked defenders coming downhill to shoot for him. Um, you know, he he could be uh, dangerous. Because when
51:45he finishes, he takes on linebackers, he bounces off hits, he breaks through reaches, and he pulls wrapping defenders downhill. He's He's a low-to-the-ground
51:53runner who may have a little more there than people realize.
51:58South Alabama's Kentrel Bullock.
51:59Bullock's got a low center of gravity, strong contact balance to win against box defenders near the line.
52:05And he sets up gap plays effectively. I think his decision-making with zone blocking's competent because he gets within at least two steps of traffic
52:12with pressing blocks.
52:14And his footwork and ability to bend away from pursuit is a strength of his game. He weaves between defenders at a
52:19good pace.
52:20Um, but his speed just is not as strong as initial acceleration and quickness.
52:25So, um, you know, that's that's something to be um, aware of there with him.
52:32All right.
52:33La'Shawn Williams of Kansas, formerly of Iowa.
52:37He's fast enough to reach the secondary.
52:38And once he does, he outruns defenders or takes angles to prolong the chase. He has mobile hips, efficient footwork, and dynamic cuts.
52:47And he has deceleration and a stop-start movement that often forces pursuit to overrun angles. So, he makes defenders miss in succession
52:55with his movement. And if he could just learn Williams could just learn to get his feet over low shots more often,
53:02I think he'd be in the elite tier of the elusiveness category. Um, he has a low center of gravity and his size makes him
53:08a bowling ball who can push the pile or drag defenders and work through hits, wraps, and reaches. So, some of these
53:15obstacles Williams works through just during the same carry. So, you know, he's a he's a compelling running back
53:24who um, does a really good job holding on to the football, too.
53:29Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M.
53:32He attacks creases with urgency. That's what I love about him. He's decisive. He sets up blocks on perimeter runs.
53:38And he is good at taking what defenses give him in the green zone, which is vital. But he also has a bad habit of cutting back on gap
53:46plays because he's running to open space instead of sticking with the play design. And he's got to learn to show more patience with gap plays like
53:53counter.
53:55Now, few backs these days accelerate into collisions anymore. But Moss is one of those guys that does. Um, it makes him a capable tackle breaker who wins
54:05collisions with linebackers and safeties.
54:07Um, so, yeah, definitely valuable at the point of attack or collision.
54:14Lincoln Par of um, I'm trying to think where I had Lincoln Par from. At Texas State, yes. Texas State's Lincoln Par.
54:22Par opens his hips efficiently with the point of his toes to the boundary. He has effective pressure cuts in the crease. He slides well laterally when he
54:31opens his hips, so he can work across the crease and look for um, an open hole for the um, bounce or the cutback. He has a violent
54:40stick and he often uses it to bait defenders crashing into the box from the edge.
54:44And he uses a double up at the edge of the box to set up safeties coming downhill. He He also has jump cuts to
54:50avoid even cornerbacks playing that force role and cut back inside. Um, and he can use that jump cut well to change
54:57direction after a tight press to the line.
55:00Um, you know, he he's even very good at adjusting stride length and pacing to set up blocks, or hurdle low cut
55:08attempts um, to his legs in the open field. And he even has some curvilinear speed. So, um, pretty agile for the tech pretty agile
55:17for um, a running back.
55:19Michael Washington Jr. of Arkansas.
55:22I think the concern with Washington's game, in addition to fumbling, is yardage that he leaves on the field because he just doesn't finish runs with
55:31optimal form.
55:33It's not every run that he does this with, but there are enough runs on his tape that it's a habit. It's a bad
55:39habit.
55:40And it's not acceptable practice for running backs to turn their backs into contact, especially against smaller defenders.
55:47And the problem is is that Washington doesn't see what he's hitting. He turns his power base away from its ideal placement to generate explosion or or a
55:56push. And Washington is giving the opposition more surface area to strike him because his pads are no longer low, and he's not moving with high knees and feet
56:05through contact.
56:07They're not even facing his knees and feet that way.
56:11So, all of this weakens Washington's push, his contact balance, his ability to pull defenders and reduce surface level from tackle attempts,
56:19and strikes at the ball. This happens more often, too. So, Washington's, you know, may still be strong and generate push with his back to the
56:27opposition, but it should be the last resort and not his primary approach to finishing.
56:33So, when you think about the skill and athletic ability that narrows the margins for success or failure in the NFL, the the league often magnifies
56:42these issues with detail.
56:44And if Washington isn't getting the hard yards and he's fumbling, his role's going to shrink.
56:49And if he doesn't address these issues, he could become a top-tier I'm sorry, if he addresses the issues, he could become a top-tier power back.
56:56He's got excellent speed. Um, but if he doesn't, he could be just an inconsistent producer, has big play moments, but a reputation for too many
57:06errors in between.
57:09UCF has another back that you guys definitely should be taking um, paying attention to, and that's Miles Montgomery. His processing information
57:17is one of his true strengths. Montgomery sees what's happening early, accurately, and it helps him be a step ahead of opponents.
57:25Um, he's an accurate runner with efficient moves. He can mitigate the impact of defensive penetration.
57:32And that foils plays early as well as um, excuse me. I mean, what am I saying?
57:41He's someone with his processing information. He's going to see what happens early and accurately.
57:47And he's creative enough with his movement and it's efficient enough that defensive penetration that would normally foil a play early, um,
57:55is something that Montgomery's able to avoid and at least help him produce as a short-yardage runner.
58:02Um, Montgomery knows when to attack tight creases, when to create, and when to stick with the play.
58:08And he has some lapses, though, where he overthinks his decision about playing it safe versus taking a risk, and errors on
58:14the playing it safe side. But I think overall, Montgomery's one of the most underrated movers for his position in this class. And I think the thing that
58:22sets him apart is his processing of info. And that refined skill for combining movement and pacing to generate the desired result.
58:31Nick Singleton, Nicholas Singleton. He's a well-built runner from Penn State who can pull through reaches from all three levels of defenders.
58:38And when he encounters defenders in his path that he can't avoid, he accelerates into the collision with good pad level.
58:45And whatever the angle of collision, Singleton can bounce off hits of linebackers, and he forces opponents to gang tackle him. The fact that he'll,
58:54you know, accelerate into the collision point, that's a rarity, like I said earlier. Singleton has that skill, too.
59:00OJ Arnold of Georgia Southern.
59:03He's a capable tight crease runner on gap plays. He can find the cutback lanes. He's efficient with his footwork, and he knows how to set up creases with
59:10his movement. And when he needs a dynamic solution, he's has explosive lateral cuts.
59:16Rasool Feazell from South Carolina. He's got good vision and additional value to lock unlock there cuz he identifies interior penetration. He finds solutions to avoid
59:26defenders. There's runs where he could see it maybe a step earlier and have a little better plan to avoid the defender, but um, he's he's also very
59:35effective against edge penetration, more effective there actually. He's a decisive gap runner and I think he presses creases when running between,
59:42between, excuse me, running behind zone blocking.
59:46He reads the leverage effectively when he's, you know, as if he's running downhill on duo and bends away from penetration into the crease. He's also
59:54effective at setting up linebackers into the wrong gap and then splitting the double teams or positive yard.
60:01Patient zone runner, rides the wave in tight quarters to work across his blocks until he presses linebackers into one crease to cut back to another.
60:11Overall, an effective tight crease runner. He can get skinny, work through contact to the second level, and he's patient.
60:19Robert Henry, UTSA.
60:22I think he has the tools to develop into a route runner who can match up effectively against most defenders assigned to running backs out of the
60:28backfield. He can also develop into a match-up threat against some safeties because of his ability to decelerate after, you know, earning a good pace downhill.
60:40Henry tracks the ball well. He high points. He catches targets arriving over his shoulder. He makes receptions with late hands, so he's not tipping off the
60:48tight coverage.
60:49He errors on the side of attacking targets early with overhand position rather than just allowing the ball into his frame. That's great. So, Henry
60:59also excels at transitioning downhill as soon as he catches the ball.
61:03The only real lapse that I've seen with his receiving game thus far is that he's turned down field before securing the
61:09ball and dropped the target because he lost focus.
61:13Henry wins targets against tight coverage and contact, and I think it's reasonable to expect to see Henry develop into a plus receiver in the NFL
61:21at this position.
61:23Roman Hemby of Indiana.
61:26He has a real feel for setting up good angles for himself and taking away good angles from defenders. Hemby attacks lanes decisively on gap runs. He sets up
61:34double teams on duo with good stride length and pacing adjustments, and he's when he's forced to bounce, he's opens his hips efficiently. So, when he
61:43reaches to the edge of the defense, he also can decelerate efficiently to transition downhill.
61:49Hemby finishes runs with starter level power and contact balances. Ball security track record is excellent, too.
61:55I think this is a guy that can earn volume and deliver if called upon to do so.
62:00Seth Magawen. Magawen's agility is good enough to contribute in a gap scheme, but he's going to struggle in a high-end contributing role if asked to run a zone
62:10scheme.
62:11His footwork lacks the precision and balance for the baseline creativity that's needed for that scheme. You know, Magawen's power and contact balance just
62:20isn't as good as his size might lead people to believe.
62:23He can win against some linebackers, but most of his success against collisions comes against defensive backs. He'll drag defenders and and generate a push
62:31in the box, but he lacks top-end power.
62:35Shamari Lawrence, Missouri State. He's an intelligent decision-maker.
62:39He reads the line of scrimmage effectively, and he's got efficient dynamic movement, and he's quick and fast enough to beat box defenders. Sometimes he can beat all
62:48three levels of the defense depending on the play design.
62:51Sia Bangura is from Ohio. I think his best traits and skills are vision and decision-making, power, contact balance, and the direct hits and
63:01ball security, but even with those traits being on the good side, really the only one that's starter quality is contact balance. The
63:11rest is kind of more of a rotational committee player off the bench. If he can deliver on special teams, maybe he
63:17makes an NFL roster. Maybe it gives him time to hone his skills and athletic ability just enough to maybe get a
63:23career as a backup.
63:25Um TJ Harden.
63:28He's agile. He's out of Sam Houston.
63:30He's an agile bulldozer who protects the ball.
63:33He decelerates efficiently. He's got dynamic jump cuts and spins in tight quarters. This helps him mitigate pursuit angles, and he pairs his moves
63:41well and often turns losses into gains.
63:44Harden has only two fumbles in nearly 600 career carries or touches, excuse me.
63:51He's not one He's definitely not one of those power backs with poor technique that gets exploited whenever tra- in traffic or fighting for extra yards.
63:59This not like rookie year reader Major and Peterson, that's for sure.
64:04Now, Zack Palmer Smith out of UAB is a decisive and powerful runner.
64:08Palmer not only runs through contact and pushes piles, but he also gets his feet over low shots and efficiently transitions downhill on
64:16perimeter runs. Palmer Smith isn't a breakaway threat, but he can reach the secondary with a good runway on outside zone or gap plays. He's got
64:25efficient deceleration, which can help him make defenders miss in space or set up angles where he can run through the pursuit.
64:32So, there you have it. 45 of the, you know, 56 running backs that I've looked at for the 2026 RSP. You can order it at
64:43mattwaldman.com.
64:45You're going to get cheat sheets within the RSP that are ranked by the depth of talent score that I use to grade their
64:52value, but you can also see them sorted in a variety of other ways to just kind of see how these guys
65:00perform in different circumstances, and you even get um you know, you get these analysis in how I break these players up into tiers, so
65:10you can see who's the best or worst in each tier of skill sets that I grade.
65:16You know, so again, you know, it's an interesting and instructive draft guide that also gives you value in fantasy in addition to learning more about the
65:26football game as a whole. So, mattwaldman.com, $21.95. It'll be available April 1st.
65:34I'll email folks when it is ready, and then you can use the login and the password that you created to download
65:41the RSP in PDF form. It is meant to be downloaded, not just accessed from the site. All right. Thanks again, folks.
65:49Appreciate you. I'll be back with a quarterback podcast within the next couple of days here. Thanks again.
