2021 Rookie Draft Ranks: RBs

 

The 2021 NFL Draft is over and Rookie Draft season is here. Post-Draft, I'm looking at my updated Rookie Rankings position-by-position. I began last week with quarterbacks, and today I look at running backs. It's a top-heavy class, so if you don't get a running back early, you can safely wait. Let's take a look!

RB:

1. Najee Harris, Steelers. He should be the clear No.1 pick in non-Superflex and possibly for Superflex drafts. He's a good talent that landed in a great spot.

2. Javonte Williams, Broncos. Williams was my No. 2 back heading into the draft, and I love the landing spot in Denver. He might share with Gordon in 2021, but he's the future there.

3. Travis Etienne, Jaguars. I don't buy that he's a third-down back. I think that's smoke and sooner or later he'll have a big role for the Jaguars. My James Robinson shares are bummed.

4. Michael Carter, Jets. Carter went at the top of the Fourth Round, but I love the landing spot. He's got talent and potential in a backfield facing only La'Mical Perine and Tevin Coleman.

5. Trey Sermon, 49ers. Running backs for the 49ers are good for fantasy, especially if Kyle Shanahan trades up to grab him. He's in a committee, but I like Sermon's potential.

6. Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles. Here's where it starts getting dicey. Gainwell is a good prospect, and the Eagles landing spot is OK. But Miles Sanders, Kerryon Johnson, Boston Scott and Jordan Howard are also there.

7. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots. I know, Patriots running backs... But Stevenson could well be a goalline threat in his rookie year, and I think there's potential in this landing spot. He'll share with Damien Harris and James White for sure, but Sony Michel could be on his way out.

8. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers. Hubbard was a difficult prospect to handicap pre-draft, and is tough with his landing spot. He's talented and in a good offense, but behind Christian McCaffrey. He might end up just being the most valuable handcuff in football.

9. Javian Hawkins, Falcons. Maybe this is a reach, and he was an undrafted free agent signing, but the opportunity is in the lack of backs in Atlanta. It's a big swing, but one that intrigues me.

10. Khalil Herbert, Bears. Another decent prospect in a messy situation. The Bears have David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen and Damien Williams, so there's not a quick path to touches.

11. Elijah Mitchell, 49ers. Mitchell was the 49ers other drafted back, picked in the Sixth Round. He has talent and upside, but he's in a crowd. Sermon is the better bet.

12. Larry Rountree III, Chargers. The Chargers' backfield is led by Austin Ekeler. But the team has Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson in the mix, too. Rountree has a chance to displace one or both of them to grab touches, but it's far from a lock.

13. Jermar Jefferson, Lions. I liked him pre-draft, but it's a tough landing spot. Seeing Kerryon Johnson leave helps, but he's behind D'Andre Swift, a Top 10 option at the position, and free agent Jamaal Williams.

14. Kylin Hill, Packers. Another interesting and shifty back caught in a logjam. Aaron Jones re-signed for big money and Second Round pick A.J. Dillon is also there.

15. Chris Evans, Bengals. Evans had a rough end to his college career, but he's got a shot with the Bengals. Joe Mixon is the starter, but Evans will be competing with Samajae Perine and Trevyon Williams for touches in the backfield.

16. Jaret Patterson, Washington. Patterson had a prolific career at Buffalo and joins a backfield that has Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic at the top, with veterans Peyton Barber and Lamar Miller in the mix.

17. Nene Nwangwu, Vikings. It was an interesting pick. Dalvin Cook is the star here, and the team still has Alexander Mattison. But perhaps Nwangwu can be viewed as the primary backup.

18. Gary Brightwell, Giants. The Giants have Saquon Barkley and signed Devontae Booker to be his backup. But Wayne Gallman is gone, so Brightwell could have a chance if someone gets injured.

19. Gerrid Doaks, Dolphins. Many thought the Dolphins would take a marquee running back early, but they didn't. Now Doaks joins the mix with Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and veteran Malcolm Brown.

20. Jake Funk, Rams. Funk was an interesting pick. In this range it's all dart throws, but this one in particular is hard to see returning value early with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, Jr., atop the depth chart.