2017 Running Backs

[TylerVagyler]

It's no secret among the fan base that Gettleman has been itching for a new RB. After showing a lot of interest in top-rated backs in recent drafts, Gettleman has settled for a couple in the later rounds. With Jonathan Stewart about to add yet another season under his belt, and with the dream of Brandon Wegher being the future finally fading, Gettleman's interest in acquiring a top RB should only increase. Factor in who could potentially be available in the 2017 draft, it's not far-fetched to predict we will look heavily at RB in the first round. This is perhaps the most talent we've seen at the position in a long time. Four players who are legit first-round prospects. One of them is bound to be available when we pick at #32. 

Leonard Fournette, LSU
6'1", 235 lbs, 4.35 40-yard dash (Pro Comparison: Andrian Peterson)

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Fournette is the perfect combination of size and speed, which is a rare commodity at running back these days. He has great vision and is explosive once he finds an opening to attack. The LSU back is not scared of contact either, he’s not afraid to go up against a linebacker in the open field or use his agility to get around a corner. He’s can make a defender miss just like he can run one over.  Fournette has areas he needs to improve in though. He needs to get better at protecting the quarterback in passing situations and he also needs to prove that he’s capable of catching passes out of the backfield.

Dalvin Cook, FSU
5'11", 206 lbs, 4.35 40-yard dash (Pro Comparison: Jamaal Charles)

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Cook's biggest assets are his suddenness and home-run ability. He is always a threat to go the distance and only needs a small crease. He has a slithery running style and can make defenders miss without gearing down. He is quick to locate the cutback lanes and explodes through the line of scrimmage. He has an effective stiff-arm when he gets to the second and third levels of a defense. In the passing game, he has strong hands and shows the ability to pluck the ball off his back hip. He is too fast for linebackers to match up with underneath and he destroys pursuit angles once he turns up the field after the catch (see TD vs. Miami). I was pleasantly surprised with his pass-protection skills. He is aware and shows the ability to chest-up linebackers as well as effectively cut-block them through the thigh pad. He will occasionally pop and fall off his block, but overall he's ahead of the curve in this area. His competitiveness is outstanding. He never looks to get out of bounds. He fights for every yard.

Nick Chubb, Georgia
5'10", 220 lbs, 4.44 40-yard dash (Pro Comparison: Frank Fore)

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Chubb has outstanding vision and patience. He rarely attempts to beat defenses to the sideline and prefers to get north and south as quickly as he sees his crease. He is powerful and compact making him very difficult to get to the ground. He takes short, choppy steps allowing him to cut on a dime. That kind of quickness helps him avoid solid contact, which results in breaking many tackles and always falling forward. His career average of 7.4 yards per carry is a testament to those abilities. All in all, this is not the type of guy I would bet against. He has outstanding character both on and off the field. He is a selfless player that celebrates the achievements of his teammates more than his own and a smart player. If he is the player that we saw before the injury, he will likely regain his status as a first-round prospect.

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
6'2", 202 lbs, 4.37 40-yard dash (Pro Comparison: Reggie Bush)

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McCaffrey has a unique skill set. He can make an impact as a runner, receiver and returner. As a runner, he has excellent vision and the patience to let things develop. Once he finds a hole, he is quick through the line of scrimmage and he is very elusive in the second and third levels. He isn't a lower-the-shoulder power back, but he does pull through a lot of tackles and he has a violent stiff arm. McCaffrey is at his best on perimeter runs. He has enough speed to turn the corner, and he's electric in space. He is an outstanding weapon in the passing game. Stanford will move him around, lining him up in the slot or even split out wide on occasion. He is a creative route runner who understands how to set up defenders and create separation (see Washington route/reception). He is talented enough to play wide receiver at both the collegiate and professional level. As a returner, he's decisive and possesses the speed to take it the distance.

Royce Freeman, Oregon
5'11", 230 lbs, 4.49 40-yard dash

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Freeman is above average in two critical areas of playing the position: vision and balance. He is able to decipher all the moving parts in front of him and find space to work, setting up moves and following blockers. Freeman isn't an explosive athlete, but he runs with a flexible lower body and torso to make hard stops and subtle moves in tight spaces, collecting himself to redirect with ease. He is a patient runner and absorbs contact while keeping his feet due to his thick build and natural power. Freeman runs with a workhorse mentality and is physical as a blocker, showing the base strength to hold his ground vs. defensive linemen.

 
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
5'10", 237 lbs, 4.57 40-yard dash

 

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Perine is an aggressive, pounding runner who is very difficult to tackle one on one. He doesn't dance and waste time behind the line of scrimmage. He is decisive and excels at running through contact. He lowers his shoulder and bounces off of defenders. He also picks up his knees and avoids getting tripped up when he runs through clutter. He has exceptional balance (see long TD vs. TCU). He doesn't have "wow" speed, but he piles up a lot of long runs. He isn't used very often in pass protection, but he shows a willingness to stick his face in the fan when he's used as a lead blocker. He has made a couple de-cleating blocks on the perimeter. He caught just 15 passes last season but he has soft, reliable hands.

 

Wayne Gallman, Clemson
6'1", 215 lbs, 4.52 40-yard dash

 

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Wayne Gallman is a versatile running back who has plenty of ways to hurt a defense. He uses his excellent burst to press the hole and break off long runs. This is a running back who can both work between the tackles and attack the edge. Gallman features good patience showing a willingness to let his blocks develop. His jump-cut then allows him to quickly change direction and get down field. He has a knack for making himself skinny through the hole.

Elijah Hood, North Carolina
5'11", 220 lbs, 4.59 40-yard dash

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Hood is a powerful back who can potentially be a weapon in the receiving game if given the chance. An underrated aspect of his game is pass-protection, which he rates very highly in. Coming off a 1,400 rushing yard season with 17 touchdowns, Hood has shown the potential of being a feature back in the right system. He’s worked with multiple quarterbacks with very different styles, whether that by Trubisky or Marquise Williams.

 

[ncfan]

I do not like Cook.  FSU is my 2nd team behind Carolina (the gf is a nloes alum)  

Cook is super fast but small not very powerfull and not as quick as McCaffery.  He's a better version of Keith Marshall.  Without that FSU OL hed be like any other speedy back.  

Really like McCaffery, great vision. Powerful for his size and fast.  Reminds me alot of Jamaal Charles.

Other guys i like in the 2-3 round who fit our sceme Perfect 

Samaje Perine (oklahoma)

Royce Freeman (Oregon) - best RB prospect out of there since Stewart, who theyve compared to simce comjng out of high school.

 

Elijah Hood (UNC)  local kid.  Same size speed and all the measurables as Jeremy Hill.

[pantherphan96]

I'd love McCaffery or Chubb

[ncfan]

Really curious to keep an eye on some fullbacks.  You can get one of the top ones late like 6-7 round range.  Tolbert is done and a Huge need here.

[MrPickles]

I try not to go Oregon homer on here much but Royce Freeman would be a perfect replacement for Stewart. At 5-11 and 230 pounds he can be the bell cow RB we're looking for. He's similar to Stewart in some ways but more durable. 

Christian McCaffrey is a great player but I don't think he's built to be an every down back in the NFL. I'm thinking he'll be sorta like Reggie Bush in the NFL. I'd be happy if we got him but we really need someone that can carry the ball 30 times in a game if needed.

 

 

[LinvilleGorge]

Elijah Hood is a stud, but in this stacked RB class he may be better off staying in school another year. This RB class looks STACKED. 

Meanwhile, let's see what CAP looks like this Sunday. The dude put up ridiculous numbers at Auburn. 

[The Lone Panther]

Always been a big fan of Chubb, but the guy is made of glass.  He got hurt again this past weekend.  Don't want another Stewart.  

[Dilla]

Count me in as another fan of Royce Freeman, he is the type of back Carolina needs to be effective on the ground after Stewart is gone.

[Hoenheim]

The problem is we're still going to have Stewart, Cap, Fozzy, and Tolbert .. you think that the Panthers are going to draft another RB? hmm  

Well in the hypothetical situation where we are actually drafting a RB (and I guess possibly ousting either Tolbert or Fozzy ) , then I would say Christian McCaffrey  or Dalvin Cook since they are both Mid to somewhat late first round projects at this point. We won't be drafting high enough to get Fournette unless we somehow end up losing a lot more games.

I actually hope we just draft the best DE available. Tired of the Panthers ignoring the lack of pass rush. 

[ncfan]

13 hours ago, Hoenheim said:

The problem is we're still going to have Stewart, Cap, Fozzy, and Tolbert .. you think that the Panthers are going to draft another RB? hmm  

Well in the hypothetical situation where we are actually drafting a RB (and I guess possibly ousting either Tolbert or Fozzy ) , then I would say Christian McCaffrey  or Dalvin Cook since they are both Mid to somewhat late first round projects at this point. We won't be drafting high enough to get Fournette unless we somehow end up losing a lot more games.

I actually hope we just draft the best DE available. Tired of the Panthers ignoring the lack of pass rush. 

Tobert is done, i will be shocked if we dont part ways at the end of the season.  Stewart is signed through 18 but if he cant stay healthy we could see us part ways and use that cap space elsewhere.

 

Right now i like Perine from oklahoma, could be there in the 3rd .

[SOJA]

call me crazy, and I KNOW theres a lot better prospects especially this year, but I love Wayne Gallman from Clemson

[heel31ok]

TJ Logan...

[ENC Pantherfan]

Man if Elijah Hood comes out (doubt it in this RB class) I think he would be the perfect replacement. He already running a similar offense in UNC that runs out of the shoutgun with some read option. He has good vision and he fights for yards. He also looks like he durable so that's a plus. Bring this kid home Panthers, late 2nd-3rd round easily. 

[Badbak]

A stud RB to replace J Stewart would be a nice pick up in the draft but after four games it looks like the Panthers draft thoughts need to be on OT and DB. I realize that they got several DBs in the last draft but hopefully they will do better next time!