Previewing the NFL Scouting Combine: Running Backs and Linebackers

Similar to the safety position, as I mentioned in my previous post, both the running back and linebacker positions have evolved within the NFL in recent years, as the game has shifted towards more of an inclination for smaller, leaner players who typically possess speed and quickness over strength and quantity in size. The era of the 220 pound tailback following a bulky, bull-headed fullback and colliding in the hole with a 250 pound linebacker twenty or so times a game are extinct.  Backs today are largely invaluable in the modern game if they can't contribute to some capacity in the passing game, essentially serving as half a player on the field in terms of value and versatility. In the same breathe, linebackers who are unable to factor in to the passing game, whether it be as an effective blitzer or decent, if not capable, in coverage, also lose value and make it difficult for them to be utilized as an every down player, which can limit their potential long term viability of staying on an NFL roster.

Represented at this year's NFL Scouting Combine will be 32 running back prospects and 31 linebacking prospects, and while the linebacking class does offer some talented and intriguing prospects with various abilities, this year's class of running backs has the potential to be the deepest of all the positions in the upcoming draft. It quite possibly could be one of the most complete running back draft classes in memory, when all is said and done.  Critical in determining the unknown future of the prospects are utilization and scheme fit, as well as durability.  Nonetheless, the entirety of running backs hoping to be selected offers a wealth of viable options from top to bottom, even beyond those who weren't invited to the combine, with Penn State's Saquon Barkley the most noticeable prospect of them all —and possibly in the entire draft. The depth and talent in this class would make it an interesting and intriguing one even without Barkley, as there are a number of different body type and style of backs to choose from.  Out of the 32 total prospects running back invited to the combine, a legitimate half, if not more, have a realistic shot at being selected within the first three rounds and 100 picks of this year's NFL Draft.

Though the running back class stands out as likely the deepest amongst all the position groups in this year's draft, the 31 linebacking prospects invited to the combine feature the potential to be a special group themselves and bring about a new wave and style that continues to revolutionize the position.  Roquan Smith held the distinction throughout the season as the nation's top linebacker, winning the Butkus Award after finishing the year with 137 tackles, 14 for loss, and 6.5 sacks while helping lead Georgia to the National Championship Game.  He, like Barkley at running back, displays the type and style of player at the linebacker position that is expected to have the ability to thrive in transitioning to the NFL.  Recently, a few prospects have been mentioned with high regard in leading up to the combine where an outstanding showing in the strength and agility testing, as well as the positional drills, could ultimately land them ahead of Smith in the draft.  In the lists of names to follow in each the running back and linebacker positions are twenty prospects in total — ten at each position—  that I've gathered whose performance at the combine will be of notice by many teams and can ultimately effect their individual draft range and the overall outcome of this year's NFL Draft.

For the purpose of these lists I left off Barkley and Smith, as their draft status and athletic profile, as it relates to the combine, has pretty much been spoken for and confirmed on film already, most likely being largely unaffected as oppose to a number of the other prospects at their respective position.

Running Backs

• Nick Chubb, Georgia
• Dimitri Flowers, Oklahoma
• Derrius Guice, LSU (Louisiana State)
• Nyheim Hines, North Carolina State
• Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
• Ronald Jones, USC (Southern California)
• Sony Michel, Georgia
• Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
• Bo Scarbrough, Alabama
• Jordan Wilkins, Ole Miss (Mississippi)

Linebackers

• Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
• Rashaan Evans, Alabama
• Shaquem Griffin, UCF (Central Florida)
• Malik Jefferson, Texas
• Josey Jewell, Iowa
• Darius Leonard, South Carolina State
• Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson
• Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
• Fred Warner, BYU (Brigham Young)
• Chris Worley, Ohio State

More to follow soon ....