2019 NFL Draft: 5 Rookie Running Backs You Need To Know

These are the 5 rookie running backs you need to know ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft brought to you by the senior Fantasy Football expert Adam Ronis!

Oakland Raiders RB Josh Jacobs

2019 Rookies You Need To Know
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

Josh Jacobs, Alabama

  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 220 lbs
  • 40 time: 4.5
  • Projected Round: Late 1st
  • Compares to: Sony Michel
  • Potential Landing Spots: OAK, PHI, HOU, TB
  • Projected Dynasty Pick: 1.4

Analysis: Jacobs is a complete running back and considered the top back in a weak running back class. He is physical and can pick up the tough yards. He rarely goes down on initial contact. Jacobs can catch the football, too. One of his best traits is his vision. Jacobs has quick feet and is elusive. One of the questions about Jacobs is he was never the focal point of the offense and never led the backfield in touches. He wasn’t used as much in college as a typical running back that goes early in the draft. Jacobs was bothered by a groin injury and didn’t participate in the combine.


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Damien Harris, Alabama

  • Height: 5’10
  • Weight: 216 lbs
  • 40 time: 4.57
  • Projected Round: 2nd
  • Compares to: Mark Ingram
  • Potential Landing Spots: TB, BAL, OAK, MIA
  • Projected Dynasty Pick: 1.11

Analysis: Harris has good vision and picks up the extra yards, even when the blocking isn’t there. He is a good runner between the tackles, but doesn’t have great speed and isn’t very elusive. While Harris wasn’t featured as a receiver much at Alabama, he possesses the skills to be good catching the ball in the NFL. He won’t line up wide and doesn’t project as a running back that will get a lot of targets. Alabama was mostly a zone blocking team, and he would likely fit best in that system. He’s a good all-around back.

David Montgomery, Iowa St.

  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 219 lbs
  • 40 time: 4.63
  • Projected Round: 2nd
  • Compares to: Carlos Hyde
  • Potential Landing Spots:
  • Projected Dynasty Pick: 1.7

Analysis: Montgomery is a power back that fights for yards. He has a good NFL build. He likes to wear out defenses and picks up yards after contact. He was used heavily at Iowa State with more than 500 carries over the last two years. He only averaged 4.7 yards per carry in college behind a lousy offensive line. Montgomery is tough to bring down with his legs always churning. The speed is lacking, and he won’t break many big plays since he isn’t very athletic. He can catch the football and pass blocks well.


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Devin Singletary, FAU

  • Height: 5’7″
  • Weight: 203
  • 40 time: 4.66
  • Projected Round: 3rd
  • Compares to: Dion Lewis
  • Potential Landing Spots: PHI, KC, BUF, TEN
  • Projected Dynasty Pick: 2.4

Analysis: In the right system, Singletary can excel. He led the FBS with 69.8 percent of his rushing yards after initial contact in 2018. He has good lateral agility and forces a lot of missed tackles. Unfortunately, he didn’t stand out at the combine at all. His stats in college were impressive even though he played in Conference USA. As the years went on, he was utilized less in the passing game with only six receptions in his final season. He doesn’t have the quickness one would expect from a back his size, but he is difficult to bring down for a back his size and avoids the big hits. Singletary has good vision and quick feet but lacks explosiveness.

Darrell Henderson, Memphis

  • Height: 5’8″
  • Weight: 208
  • 40 time: 4.49
  • Projected Round: 3rd
  • Compares to: James White
  • Potential Landing Spots: PHI, OAK, HOU, BAL, JAX
  • Projected Dynasty Pick: 1.8

Analysis: Henderson has explosiveness and makes defenders miss. He’s a natural receiver with good hands and doesn’t need a lot of touches to produce. His college production was excellent with 1,909 rushing yards, and 22 touchdowns while averaging 8.9 yards per carry in 13 games. He runs hard between the tackles, but there’s a question as to whether he can break tackles in the NFL since he faced a lot of poor tackling. He wasn’t used in the passing game often, but it’s not a weakness. Pass protection is a concern. Many NFL teams might view him as a complementary back.


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About Adam Ronis 309 Articles
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