NFL Combine Winners/Losers: Running Backs
The NFL combine is officially underway, and the prospects that have put their entire lives into creating an NFL career are now showcasing all of their talents over the course of the weekend. Some will thrive, but others will see their draft stock take a dip when the weekend wraps up. Here are the winners and losers among those at the running back position.
Winners
Breece Hall
The Iowa State star has seemed like either RB1 or RB2 in this draft class for a while, and his only competition has really been Kenneth Walker out of Michigan State. Breece Hall has an advantage in terms of being able to slip through tacklers and making smart decisions while running, so all he really needed to do was prove decent athleticism on Friday. He did just that with a 4.39 40 and some terrific drills on the field.
Pierre Strong
The South Dakota State Jackrabbit ran and jumped like a jackrabbit on Friday. Pierre Strong recorded the fastest 40 time of the day at 4.37. A 36-inch vertical showcased his extreme explosiveness as well. As an FCS back, Strong needed a strong day of measurements and drills, and he certainly delivered. A team like the Vikings could be looking at RB towards the end of the second day and into the third day, and his stock has certainly gone up.
James Cook
This day was a win for James Cook if for no other reason than he bested his brother Dalvin’s 40-time. James ran a blistering 4.42 and broad jumped 10’4. As a back who will take the majority of his snaps as a receiver, he had a very good day in those drills as well. Cook saw his stock rise after Friday.
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Losers
Isaiah Spiller
With so many running backs putting together crazy times in the 40, it probably would have served Isaiah Spiller well to run it as well. Instead, he opted out and put together abysmal performances in the vertical and broad jumps. While many prospects ranked around him had stellar days, Spiller’s draft stock seemed to take a hit on Friday.
Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams went into this combine with a supposed advantage in terms of his athleticism. That’s not the case anymore. He recorded abysmal times in all of the 40, vertical, and broad. Then his drills weren’t spectacular, either. Whatever he did on Friday morning to prepare, Williams probably shouldn’t do it again. His stock may fall into Day Three of the draft after this showing.
