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PFF put out an article stating that the metrics below were the most important when projecting RBs going from college to the NFL:
Rushing grade
Missed tackles/att
Yards after contact/att
Rec grade
Yds/Route Run
I went back a few RB classes to see how accurate this is. WOW!
Rushing grade
Missed tackles/att
Yards after contact/att
Rec grade
Yds/Route Run
I went back a few RB classes to see how accurate this is. WOW!
I gathered the metrics above for 53 Total RBs - every RB drafted in Rounds 1-4 from 2017-2019 & the majority of RBs expected to be drafted in 2020. (All top RB prospects included).
*All metrics from COLLEGE (NOT FROM THE NFL)*
*All metrics from COLLEGE (NOT FROM THE NFL)*
Then, I ranked them out 1-53 for each metric based on their college stats. (1= best in that metric, 53 = worst in that metric)
I totaled the rankings for each metric, for each player, and calculated the AVERAGE ranking for all of these metrics combined.
I totaled the rankings for each metric, for each player, and calculated the AVERAGE ranking for all of these metrics combined.
A perfect score would be a 1 - which no one got.
The lowest possible score would be 53 - which one got insanely close to it.
The lowest possible score would be 53 - which one got insanely close to it.
The very best-ranked player (by far) from the 2017-2020 classes was Zack Moss - his average ranking for all metrics was 2.5!
The very worst-ranked player (by far) from the 2017-2020 classes was Kalen Ballage - his average ranking for all metrics was 52.8! - LOL.
The very worst-ranked player (by far) from the 2017-2020 classes was Kalen Ballage - his average ranking for all metrics was 52.8! - LOL.
Top 10 in Average Ranking:
Zack Moss* - 2.5!
Jonathan Taylor* - 7.75
Darrell Henderson - 8.25
Dalvin Cook - 8.75
Joe Mixon - 11.75
Kareem Hunt - 12
Josh Jacobs - 13
Rashaad Penny - 14.5
AJ Dillon* - 15.5
Saquon Barkley - 16.5
* = 2020 RB Class
# = Average ranking per metric
Zack Moss* - 2.5!
Jonathan Taylor* - 7.75
Darrell Henderson - 8.25
Dalvin Cook - 8.75
Joe Mixon - 11.75
Kareem Hunt - 12
Josh Jacobs - 13
Rashaad Penny - 14.5
AJ Dillon* - 15.5
Saquon Barkley - 16.5
* = 2020 RB Class
# = Average ranking per metric
Bottom 10:
Benny Snell - 38.25
Alexander Mattison - 39
D'Onta Foreman - 39
Samaje Perine - 40.25
Wayne Gallman - 40.5
Justice Hill - 40.75
Leonard Fournette - 40.75
Anthony McFarland* - 40.75
Joe Williams - 45
Kalen Ballage - 52.75
* = 2020 RB Class
# = Average ranking/metric
Benny Snell - 38.25
Alexander Mattison - 39
D'Onta Foreman - 39
Samaje Perine - 40.25
Wayne Gallman - 40.5
Justice Hill - 40.75
Leonard Fournette - 40.75
Anthony McFarland* - 40.75
Joe Williams - 45
Kalen Ballage - 52.75
* = 2020 RB Class
# = Average ranking/metric
Worth Noting:
- CEH, Cam Akers, JK Dobbins ranked between the TOP 11-16 RBs.
- D'Andre Swift ranked 31st out of 53 RBs.
- Eno Benjamin, Lamical Perine, Darrynton Evans ranked between the BOTTOM 11-15.
- CEH, Cam Akers, JK Dobbins ranked between the TOP 11-16 RBs.
- D'Andre Swift ranked 31st out of 53 RBs.
- Eno Benjamin, Lamical Perine, Darrynton Evans ranked between the BOTTOM 11-15.
It seems like there really is a STRONG correlation between those metrics and success in the #NFL.
Believe it, don't believe it, I just wanted to show how accurate these grades and metrics have been over the years.
#NFLDraft2020
Believe it, don't believe it, I just wanted to show how accurate these grades and metrics have been over the years.
#NFLDraft2020
Disclaimer: I just used OVERALL TOTAL GRADE for each player instead of ranking Run Grade and Receiving Grade separately.
- I couldn't get access to 2020 Receiving grades for RBs
- I couldn't get access to 2020 Receiving grades for RBs
