So we’re at the half way point of the regular season and as we have already seen teams turn their attention to the 2018 season we look at incoming draft class.
A lot of people have called the 2017 class the year of the running back with the impressive performances of the likes of Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette. However, the 2018 class has the potential to offer the same if not more quality running back prospect. Including one player who could be a once in a generation player.
If you haven’t started your draft research yet then I implore you to watch some tape on the likes of Saquon Barkley, Derrius Guice, Nick Chubb, Royce Freeman, Damien Harris, Bo Scarborough, Sony Michel, Ronald Jones, LJ Scott and Kallen Ballage. It’s unlikely but we could see a scenario where nearly all of those running backs go in the first round of the IFL draft next year.
Using the current draft order based on positions and points scored we look ahead to the players that might be selected in the 2nd annual IFL rookie draft in Las Vegas.
In the first part we cover the first 8 picks of the first round.
Part I
1.01
Saquon Barkley, Penn State RB
Barkley is special, really special. He can run, he can catch, he’s quick and he can lift, 405 pounds to be specific. If you want to see just how good he is watch the Rose Bowl from last season. He’s my 1.01 now but that also has to do with his sustained production. The four start recruit has totalled 4,000 all purpose yards and 25 touchdowns in just two seasons. He has picked up where he’s left off so far in 2017 and he could even be in the conversation for the 1.01 in the NFL draft.
1.02
Derrius Guice, LSU RB
After sitting behind this year’s 1.01, Leonard Fournette, Guice burst onto the scene last season whilst Fournette was injured. Guice proceeded to put up nearly 1,500 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns. His ability to catch is the main question mark on Guice but his 2017 has been hampered by an injury so far. Keep watch on him to return to fitness and form to increase his draft stock.I think Barkley is the clear 1.01 but I’d be very happy drafting a back like Guice with the second overall pick.
Nick Chubb, Georgia RB
In his breakout season Chubb burst onto the scene as a true freshman filling in for Todd Gurley and he clocked up 1,760 total yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. There were many analysts that speculated that Chubb could be even more talented than the departing Gurley. Sadly Chubb got a devastating injury, which some predicted could even spell the end for his short career. However, after a sluggish 2016, Chubb decided to go back to school and so far he’s averaging 6.4 yards per carry with 700 total yards and 8 touchdowns.
1.04
NFC Eagles
Courtland Sutton, SMU WR
This year’s Cory Davis is Courtland Sutton. The small school prospect was rumoured to be declaring for the draft in 2017 but decided to go back to college for another year at SMU. Sutton is a converted cornerback and an absolute physical specimen. Standing at 6-4 and weighing in at 215-pounds, Sutton could give NFL cornerbacks some real nightmares. Last season he ad 76 catches and averaged 16.4 yards per catch with 19 total touchdowns. He’s struggled with consistency this season but still should be in the conversation for a first round NFL pick and a nailed on first rounder in the IFL.
Christian Kirk, Texas A&M WR
The Texas A&M wideout has wowed college football with his electric pace both as a reciever and as a punt returner. He’s another prospect which will go either in round 1 or early round 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft. Kirk has racked up 2,413 total yards and 21 touchdowns at A&M , which clearly speak for itself. At 5’11” and 200 pounds he’s not a big bodied receiver like Sutton but could easily leapfrog him and be the first receiver of the board in the Vegas draft.
1.06
Calvin Ridley, Alabama WR
Ridley has been widely regarded as one of the top receivers in college football with 2255 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns during his time at Alabama. He has good height at 6’1″ but scouts will be hoping he can add a little more weight to his report 188lb frame before the NFL Combine. What he lacks for in weight he makes up for in speed, with excellent foot quickness and I expect he puts up a time of around 4.4 in the 40 at the Combine. Ridley will be a first round NFL barring any injuries and he should be in top 10 consideration in the IFL draft. If you want to see him showcase his skills, check out his 7 catch, 82 yard performance with a touch down against Florida State’s very talented secondary.
1.07
Bo Scarbrough, Alabama RB
A big-time high school recruit, Bo Scarbrough picked up the mantle of Bama’s bog back after Derrick Henry departed for the NFL in the 2016 draft. He broke out in 2016 with over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns but the year sadly ended with broken leg in the title game against Clemson. As a result he’s been eased back into action this season, which has opened the door for Damien Harris, who has shone for the Crimson Tide in 2017 and we’ll come onto later. If you like monster backs, much like the aforementioned Henry who Scarborough will no doubt be compared to during the draft process, then Scarbrough is your man. At 6’2″ and a reported 235lbs, if Scarbrough can run anything close to 4.5 40 time then expect him to shoot up draft boards, he may even make it a run of four running backs in the top four picks of the IFL 2018 draft.
1.08
Freeman was one of the prospects who it was thought would declare for the 2017 NFL draft. However, after his breakout freshman season in 2015, his junior year was something of a let down, which may have been a key part of his reasoning to return to college for his senior year. He was also banged up for much of it but 2017 has seen a return to form for the Oregon running back. So far this season he has 797 rushing yards and 144 receiving yards along with 10 touchdowns. At a reported 231 pounds and 5’11 he has the prototypical size that you’re looking for, which could see him be a day 2 pick in the NFL draft. I expect he goes top 10 come the IFL draft.
We will be rounding out the first round with Part II, which will be dropping this weekend.