2021 NFL Draft Preview: Running back sleepers and Broncos fits

The Broncos need help at the running back position in a big way. Melvin Gordon was a free agent addition last year and he didn’t have a great 2020 season. He’s average at best as a starter, but the team needs to be better than that when it comes to running the ball.

Gordon is not a quality starter and behind him is nothing but question marks. Gone is Phillip Lindsay, who now plays for the Houston Texans, which leaves fourth-year pro Royce Freeman as the primary backup.

The 2021 running back class has talent from top to bottom. In fact, it’s a good year to need a running back like the Broncos do. It would not surprise me if they selected more than one back this year – one early and one late (perhaps undrafted).

In this article, I will look at the market for the position. I’ll also write about sleepers at the running back position and some players who could fit what the Broncos need in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Market Watch

The best running back in this class is debatable. Some have Travis Etienne (Clemson) as the top runner, while others think Najee Harris (Alabama) is the best in class. For me, I’ve got Javonte Williams (North Carolina) in the mix of backs with Etienne and Harris who could be considered in the first round. None of these guys should be top-10 picks, but they have talent and could make quick impacts in the pros.

Etienne is a big play waiting to happen. His 588 receiving yards led all FBS backs in 2020, and it was a key for Clemson’s offense to feature him as a passing game weapon. As a runner, Etienne is fast and hits the hole at top speed. He’s not a lateral runner, but instead will be linear with his stride. His speed can outrun angles from defenders closing in.

Harris is a tall back who can carry a large workload. He only had 25 carries of 20 yards or more, so you see how he can plug and play at the pro level but is not a big play back. Harris is effective as a receiver out of the backfield and has the size which makes him tough to bring down. He’s not a banger per se, but he is a large back who can grind down a defense.

Williams is a natural runner with great instincts for the position. Pro Football Focus compares him to Packers starter Aaron Jones, and it’s a fair point. Like Jones, Williams is a good all-purpose back who can excel as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. Williams had 75 broken tackles and his contact balance is uncanny; he’s just tough to bring down!

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Sleepers

I can’t stop talking about Khalil Herbert from Virginia Tech. I watched him during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl earlier this year and came away even more impressed. He was a star on film, showing good instincts and vision for the position and in person he did not disappoint. Herbert can be dangerous as a runner or receiver, plus he was the best back at the Senior Bowl in pass-protection drills.

Other backs I’ve listed as “sleeper” prospects include Chuba Hubbard (Oklahoma State), Kylin Hill (Mississippi State) and Chris Evans (Michigan).

Hubbard is fun to watch. He reminds me so much of Tatum Bell, former Broncos and Oklahoma State running back, because of his agility and speed for the position. Hubbard can handle a large workload and is hard charging at just 208 pounds.

Hill has all the tools to be a top tier running back in the NFL. He breaks tackles regularly, with 116 broken tackles on 453 career carries. Hill is not fast in terms of long speed, but he does have burst and gets to top speed in a hurry. I think he dances too much behind the line of scrimmage, but that should be able to be coached out of him at the NFL level. He won’t be able to bounce things outside as frequently as he did in college, and that’s his biggest adjustment needed as a runner.

Evans is a well-rounded prospect who could give some team late-round value in the draft. He is excellent as a receiver out of the backfield and disciplined as a runner. He’s not built to outrun defenders, but he does a good job of setting up his blocks and staying patient as the play unfolds in front of him. Evans peaked as a freshman, and the redshirt senior is a bit old (24 years old) as a rookie prospect.

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Broncos Fits

The Broncos need to strengthen their ground game in order to get the most out of their talent on both sides of the ball. Everyone is talking about the assets on the defensive side, and they are quite impressive, but the best defense will get worn out if the offense doesn’t get them a breather. Running the ball effectively is the third ingredient to playing great defense as it’s not just “rush and cover” in the NFL.

I think the No. 9 overall pick is going to be a defensive player. However, in the second or third round, the Broncos could be targeting a running back. In the Pat Shurmur offense, finding a well-rounded back is a must.

This is where I think Herbert may be the best option. He’s not the best back in the class, but he fits what Shurmur wants his backs to do. He’s efficient as a runner, sound in pass protection and good as a receiving option. Any of the backs above Herbert in the draft (Etienne, Harris, Williams) would of course be good fits, but their draft status (first round or early second round) doesn’t provide the same value that Herbert (likely third-round pick) does.

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