NFL DRAFT RANKINGS 2019 -- RUNNING BACKS

There has been a bit of a renaissance in the running back position in the NFL, with a handful of teams selecting a workhorse back early in the first round. Even with the emphasis on passing, there is still a place for guys who can tote the rock.

While there may not be any Todd Gurleys or Zeke Elliotts or Saquon Barkleys in this draft, there is a pretty deep stable of guys who can contribute. There may even be a couple of All-Pro types listed below.

What follows is a breakdown of the top five runners in this year's draft, each with an assigned Round Grade. The Round Grade is not a projection of where the player will be chosen, but where talent merits he be chosen. After the top five, all quarterbacks projected to be drafted will be listed.

            1. Darrell Henderson/Memphis (ROUND GRADE: 1)

PROS: Excellent vision/recognition, knows when to explode through hole or bounce play outside; Quick feet, excellent ability to throttle down to wait for explosion through hole;  Balance is off the charts, gets pad level low and has an array of spins and cuts to avoid contact; solid receiving threat out the backfield; Very elusive, eye-popping lateral movement and acceleration; High motor and effort, will do everything in his power to pick up extra yardage; Good fit in an outside zone scheme, as ability to get around the corner is excellent

CONS: Probably not a lead back due to his frame; Lacking as a pass blocker, will need to improve if he wants to stay on the field; More of a finesse than power back, goes down a bit too easily on first contact. 

2. Devin Singletary/Florida Atlantic (ROUND GRADE: 1)

PROS: Maybe the most patient runner in this draft, he knows when to explode and when to wait for his blockers; Difficult to knock off balance; Has the look of a power back but can breakaway in the open field; Aggressive on cuts and gets upfield in a hurry; Good wiggle in his hips; Nose for the end zone (59 TDs in 32 games)

CONS: Not a true home run threat; Has been largely ineffective as a pass blocker; Some may feel he’s a product of lesser competition as games against Power 5 teams have not been anything special; Wasn’t used much as a receiver his final season but shows a willingness to catch the ball; Lack of top end quickness could limit his role

3. Josh Jacobs/Alabama (ROUND GRADE: 1)

PROS: Elite vision, can find creases in a hurry; Has some nifty improv skills at the second level, escapability; Loves contact, plays aggressive with pads low; Sheds high tackles well; Solid receiver, can make defenders miss; Change of direction is very good; Does not fumble; Solid in pass protection;

CONS: Not truly elite in the speed department; Shoetop tackles bother him, doesn’t evade low contact as much as you would like to see; Athleticism merely average; Has been nicked up, including missing much of sophomore season

4. David Montgomery/Iowa State (ROUND GRADE: 1-2)

PROS: Good variety of cuts, though not super quick in and out of them; Gets stronger with more work, a real grinder; Low center of gravity makes him difficult to knock off balance; Craves contact; Solid in pass pro; Nice hands out of the backfield; Almost always falls forward; Best suited to a power rush attack

CONS: Vision, often waits too long and sabotages his ability to pick up yardage; Not a ton of burst; Seems to lack natural feel and instincts; Average athleticism; Difficulty getting around the corner; Doesn’t react act to first read being unavailable

5.  Damien Harris/Alabama (ROUND GRADE: 2)

PROS: Excellent anticipation and vision, can run with patience or explosiveness; More physical than anything, low workrate in 2018 should mean he’s fresh and ready to go; Good finisher, not afraid to dip his shoulder for some extra yardage; Falls forward, good in short yardage situations; Does his best work between the tackles; Not a lot of wasted steps

CONS: Effort is there in pass pro, but he doesn’t always succeed in holding up against rushers; Average open field burst; Doesn’t make defenders miss very often; Not fast enough to gain separation in the passing game; Not much in the way of eye-popping cuts; Not a great athlete, which limits his upside

6. Trayveon Williams/Texas A&M (ROUND GRADE: 2)

7.  Miles Sanders/Penn State (ROUND GRADE: 2-3)

8.  Benny Snell Jr./Kentucky (ROUND GRADE: 2-3)

9.  Rodney Anderson/Oklahoma (ROUND GRADE: 2-3)

10. Darwin Thompson/Utah State (ROUND GRADE: 2-3)

11. Miles Gaskin/Washington (ROUND GRADE: 3)

12. Justice Hill/Oklahoma State (ROUND GRADE: 3)

13. Elijah Holyfield/Georgia (ROUND GRADE: 3)

14. Bryce Love/Stanford (ROUND GRADE: 3-4)

15. Mike Weber Jr/Ohio State (ROUND GRADE: 3-4)

16. Devine Ozigbo/Nebraska (ROUND GRADE: 4)

17. Dexter Williams/Notre Dame (ROUND GRADE: 4)

18. Bruce Anderson/North Dakota State (ROUND GRADE: 4-5)

19. James Williams/Washington State (ROUND GRADE: 4-5)

20. Travis Homer/Miami (ROUND GRADE: 4-5)

21. Ryquell Armstead/Temple (ROUND GRADE: 4-5)

22. Nick Brossette/LSU (ROUND GRADE: 4-5)

23. Qadree Ollison/Pittsburgh (ROUND GRADE: 5)

24. Karan Higdon/Michigan (ROUND GRADE: 5)

25. Jordan Scarlett/Florida (ROUND GRADE: 5-6)

26. Jalin Moore/Appalachian State (ROUND GRADE: 5-6)

27. Alexander Mattison/Boise State (ROUND GRADE: 6)

28. Ty Johnson/Maryland (ROUND GRADE: 6)

29. Marquis Young/UMass (ROUND GRADE: 6)

30. LJ Scott/Michigan State (ROUND GRADE: 7)

31. Demarea Crockett/Missouri (ROUND GRADE: 7)

32. Tony Pollard/Memphis (ROUND GRADE: 7)

33. Wes Hills/Slippery Rock (ROUND GRADE: 7)

2018 Top Impact Freshman Running Backs

Even as college football evolves into a spread-em-out, matchup driven sport, there is still a need for a good attack. Teams that can run the ball often kill the will of their opponent, making it easier to close out games.

There are a host of freakishly talented runners entering college football this year, and while they may not open 2018 as starters, they will definitely showcase their abilities and make coaches think long and hard about keeping them on the bench. Most college teams are mimicking their NFL counterparts and using a multi-pronged rushing attack, and that's where a lot of these freshmen will make their bones.

What follows is a ranking of the top 10 Impact Freshman running backs for 2018. These aren't necessarily the top 10 backs inked in the recruiting season, but the 10 with the best mix of talent and opportunity, with a chance to get on the field early. Positional ranking is included.

Miami's Lorenzo Lingard (Palm Beach Post)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT FRESHMAN RUNNING BACKS
1. Lorenzo Lingard/Miami Fla. (RB2) -- The Hurricanes have a deep running stable, but none of the choices are as electrifying as Lingard, who could have a Cam Akers effect on the ground game. The five-star back is a mix of power and speed, and has the wiggle to make defenders miss. Whether or not he opens the year as a starter, he will be in the mix -- and could very well be the top dog by the end of the season. 
2. Ricky Person Jr/North Carolina State (RB4) -- Person was in for spring ball and has already worked his way up to second on the depth chart, behind Reggie Gallaspy II, who was productive behind Nyheim Hines last season. A four-star talent, Person is a good bet to steal carries from Gallaspy, and his burly frame could make him an enticing goal line option, too. 
3. Zamir White/Georgia (RB1) -- A five-star speedster with a huge upside, White would vie for major playing time had he not torn his ACL in his final high school campaign. He is expected to be healthy by the beginning of the season, and the coaching staff will likely ease him into things. But once he gets going, they may have no choice but to feed the beast. He and D'Andre Swift could form another Chubb-Michel powerhouse for the Bulldogs ground game. 
4. Keaontay Ingram/Texas (RB6) --The Longhorns put together one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, and Ingram was one of the spotlight players. A four-star 6-1, 190-pounder, Ingram is good catching passes and has the quickness to get outside the tackles, which means he's the every-down back Texas has lacked the past few seasons. Ingram has great initial explosion and lateral quickness, and loves making defenders miss. If Texas' offense takes that next step, it will be in large part due to Ingram.
5. Fabian Franklin/TCU (RB13) -- A former Mississippi State commit, Franklin flipped late and gives the Horned Frogs a shifty, elusive back who should vie for early playing time. Darius Anderson is the incumbent, but there isn't much experience behind him, leaving the four-star Franklin in line for a pretty big role.
6. Brock Sturges/Arizona State (RB29) -- A dearth of backfield experience in Tempe -- QB Manny Wilkins is the team's leading returning rusher -- means work is there for the taking. Eno Benjamin was part of last year's class, but the three-star Sturges, who reminds some of former ASU star runner Demario Richard, was up to second team and could make the starting position a tough decision for the coaches. 
7. Christopher Brown Jr/Cal (RB23) -- It's unlikely that anyone usurps starter Patrick Laird as the Bears primary ballcarrier, but offseason attrition means that the backup spot is up for grabs, and Brown has the size and quickness to get a good amount of work on an experienced offensive unit that has a real chance for improvement in 2018. 
8. Ricky Slade/Penn State (RB3) -- Miles Sanders is the starter and ready for a breakout, but he'll need a rest, and when he gets one it could very well be Slade getting the reps. Built low to the ground, the five-star back has home run speed and could steal more and more carries as the season progresses. 
9. Jeremy Banks/Tennessee (RB16) -- There will be open auditions for just about every job as first year coach Jeremy Pruitt attempts to assess his squad. Banks, a 6-2, 215-pound bruiser, is a four-star talent who loves playing physical and picking up yards after contact. His blue collar style should endear him to Vols Nation rather quickly.
10. Anthony "Pooka" Williams/Kansas (RB20) -- One of Louisiana's best, the four-star Williams could be the best runner the Jayhawks have had since Tony Sands ran wild in Lawrence. Williams, who had offers from LSU and Nebraska, is lightning fast and a good target out of the backfield, and should be able to get into the Kansas backfield rotation sooner rather than later.

Just Missed: Max Borghi/Washington State (RB41); Master Teague/Ohio State (RB11); Isaiah Woullard/Ole Miss (RB131); Kelan Walker/Houston (RB39); Nolan Edmonds/Minnesota (RB28); Jermar Jefferson/Oregon State (RB41)