2021 Prospect Watch: Running Back Edition
As we start to put week 10 in our rearview mirror, this is the part of the season that many dynasty managers start to plan for the future of their teams.
One of the best ways to do that is to start to get a first draft of what your potential rookie draft board will look like. Whether you are loaded with draft picks this year or hoping to use your late-round pick to draft a diamond in the rough, Prospect Watch is here for all your rookie draft needs.
The 2021 draft has some tantalizing top-end talent and depth, similar to the 2020 draft. Some of the top-end talent in this class could have been 1st round picks last year if they hadn’t decided to return to school. Many of them at the running back position, so that is where we are kicking off our first edition of the 2021 Prospect Watch. 
2021 RB Prospect Watch
Travis Etienne (Clemson)
What else can we say about this guy Travis Etienne had a good chance of being the first running back drafted last year had he entered the draft. He has succeeded every year at Clemson and has shown us over the past season and a half that he can not only do it on the ground but can also hold his own as a receiver. His combination of speed, balance, and elusiveness make him an easy choice at the 1.01 in rookie drafts. He returned surprisingly to Clemson this year and has not disappointed. In only 8 games so far, Etienne has racked up 634 yards on the ground with 10 touchdowns while adding 491 receiving yards on 37 receptions with 2 touchdowns. Believe it or not, his stock is trending up.
Najee Harris (Alabama)
Similar to Etienne, Najee Harris unexpectedly chose to return to Alabama. A bruising runner who has shown soft hands over the last two seasons, Harris is 6’2 and 229 lbs. He profiles similar to Alabama standout Derrick Henry, with the exciting upside of being involved in NFL passing attacks. Harris is making his case this season to not only be the consensus 1.02 in rookie drafts but potentially even vie for the coveted 1.01 and even be the first runningback of the board in the NFL draft. So far in 2020, Harris has played 6 games and in that time has accumulated 714 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 20 receptions for 183 yards through the air. Najee Harris is THE name to follow the rest of the way in my eyes.
Chuba Hubbard (Oklahoma State)
Chuba went the same route as the two guys above. But as fast as Etienne is, I fully expect Chuba Hubbard to be the name everyone is talking about at the running back position due to his blazing speed. He is tough to tackle, granted we should remember he plays in the tackling anemic conference that is the Big 12. Hubbard might not be as “safe” as the two guys listed ahead of him here but, he may have the highest ceiling of any running back in this draft. In his 6 games in 2020 thus far he has piled up 581 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground, adding in 8 receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. His stock hasn’t changed much this season, he should fall somewhere between 1.05-1.08 in rookie drafts until we see where he lands in the NFL.
Kylin Hill (Mississippi State)
Kylin Hill opted out this season due to Covid concerns. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get to see him in this offense for another season. He was an All-SEC first-team selection last season doing it on the ground and as a pass-catcher. He is 5’11, 209 lbs, and produced over 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019. Right now we don’t get to see him on the field but keep an eye on him during the offseason programs and combine process he could be a mid to late-round steal for your fantasy teams.
Kenny Gainwell (Memphis)
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Kenny Gainwell is another opt-out for the 2020 season that I am keeping an eye on. Coming out of Memphis the past couple of seasons hasn’t necessarily produced superstars but it has produced runningback names to note like Darrel Henderson, Tony Pollard, and of course, rookie standout Antonio Gibson. At 5’11 and a touch under 200 lbs, he could definitely add on some weight to withstand a full NFL season, but Gainwell has shown flashes of brilliance. In his 2019 season, he accumulated a staggering 2,069 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns while adding in 51 receptions. similar to Kylin Hill Gainwell could be a draft steal if the offseason hype doesn’t catapult him into the first round. Either way, this is a player I am keeping tabs on as we approach the combine.
Next week: Join Prospect Watch again as we dive into the never-ending class of 2021 wide receivers
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