2023-07-07 07:00:00
Besides Brock Bowers, there is another tight end that could be selected in round one of the 2024 NFL Draft. With Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs now playing in the NFL, there’s plenty of talent in the running back position as well. The value of both positions cannot be compared to that of a pure wide receiver. And yet it is worth taking a look at the dynamic and powerful attackers among the tight ends and running backs.
There’s no college football running back anywhere near the hype the Texas Longhorns’ Robinson created last year. None of the following players is currently traded as a first-round talent. In the tight ends, Bowers is another player whose footage can certainly be compared to that of Kyle Pitts at the time.
Die Top Runningbacks
Running backs have depreciated in value over the years. Despite this, two young talents from the backfield were picked in the first half of round one in the last draft.
Treveyon Henderson / Ohio State Buckeyes
Height: 1.78 m Weight: 98 kg
Treveyon Henderson won’t be at the top of every NFL team’s list. Comparisons to Bijan Robinson are therefore not appropriate. However, Henderson’s slightly smaller but sturdily built body revs up very quickly while also being very agile, which defenders often find tackling into space. Additionally, he’s already demonstrated excellent pass receiver skills with 31 career receptions and five touchdown catches, which has everyone excited to see where Henderson takes next season.
Most important games: Week 8 vs. Penn State Nittany Lions, Week 12 vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers, Week 13 @ Michigan Wolverines
Raheim Sanders / Arkansas Razorbacks
Height: 1.88 m Weight: 103 kg
You’ll be hard pressed to find a bigger, bigger running back this year than Raheim Sanders. What he still lacks is a better overview of the field in order to get out of the backfield more consistently. He can then ricochet off opposing tacklers like a running back machine and even get to second level regularly.
Most important games: Week 7 @ Alabama Crimson Tide, Week 13 vs. Missouri Tigers
Blake Corum / Michigan Wolverines
Height: 1.73 m Weight: 95 kg
Had it not been for Blake Corum just before the end of the season last year injured knee, he would most likely have been in the final draft and been drafted on day two. Now the tough and productive runner will be running for the 2024 NFL Draft. This way he can at least further develop his receiving abilities, which he has hinted at, but hasn’t yet used as a real game element.
Most important games: Woche 6 @ Minnesota Golden Gophers, Woche 11 @ Penn State Nittany Lions, Woche 13 vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Braelon Allen / Wisconsin Badgers
Height: 1.88 m Weight: 109 kg
Braelon Allen is an impressive runner considering he has to run into massively overloaded boxes on defense almost every time. That already sounds a lot like Derrick Henry’s running style, which Allen is presenting there. The running back feels comfortable between tackles and could definitely play in tandem with a lively outside runner in the future. But maybe more is possible, because his running style is so tough that he has to be defended in the NFL first.
Most important games: Week 7 vs. Iowa Hawkeyes, Week 13 @ Minnesota Golden Gophers
The best running backs behind the top four
Even after the top four, there’s a lot going on at the running back position. Here are three more.
Will Shipley / Clemson Tigers
Height: 1.80 m Weight: 93 kg
Will Shipley is difficult to get to the ground, either bouncing off tackles or letting them off all together. The natural athlete plays very balanced. This also explains his statistical 3.4 yards after the first contact. The former five-star recruit is neither too small nor too heavy. If he keeps improving consistently, he’ll have what it takes to be picked as the first running back at the end of the season. He’s good at the moment, but doesn’t yet deliver that certain something that ultimately separates him from the crowd of talented running backs.
Trey Benson / Florida State Seminoles
Height: 1.85 m Weight: 98 kg
Trey Benson racked up an impressive tally of tacklers in college. In addition, he should bring what is known as home run speed. So not only can Benson take on a lot of carries from the backfield and constantly gain space, but he’s able to make an uncatchable escape after breaking out into the second level. So what’s missing to join the phalanx of top people in the next draft? His first season with 1,000+ rushing yards.
EFFORTLESS for Trey Benson pic.twitter.com/BF3Crubfb7
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) August 28, 2022
Donovan Edwards / Michigan Wolverines
Height: 1.85 m Weight: 93 kg
If Blake Corum weren’t on the same team, Donovan Edwards would be much higher. Currently he still has to be content with the role of the second running back at Michigan. But one should not be deceived. After all, there is hardly a more explosive running back than Edwards. He is very well built for that. At the beginning of the season, he might be able to take advantage of the fact that Corum has to get back into shape and submit his application for the first rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft in September.
Die Top Tight Ends
There hasn’t been any true blue chip talent among the tight ends in the NFL draft for a long time. Aside from Kyle Pitts, there were few players who actually got picked early. That could change in the coming year.
Brock Bowers / Georgia Bulldogs
Height: 1.93 m Weight: 104 kg
Despite being one of the slightly lighter tight ends at 250 pounds, Brock Bowers left no doubt from day one with the Georgia Bulldogs who the best player in the country is at his position. Already in his freshman year, there probably wasn’t a better tight end in all of college football. Bowers is explosive, attacking everywhere on the field and also in the depths of the defense interfaces, but can also present excellent route running against pure man coverage. His abilities and skills are phenomenal and he will only be 21 in December. An NFL quarterback could hardly wish for a better partner.
Most important games: Week 4 vs. UAB Blazers, Week 6 vs. Kentucky Wildcats, Week 10 vs. Missouri Tigers
Ja’Tavion Sanders / Texas Longhorns
Height: 1.93 m Weight: 109 kg
Ja’Tavion Sanders recorded 31 new first downs including touchdowns in the 2022 season, beating only Brock Bowers, Dalton Kincaid and Michael Mayer. And there’s more to come from Sanders this year, as he goes into Year Two with quarterback Quinn Ewers and a big-name receiving corps to back him up. His 613 yards at 54 receptions should therefore be expanded further. Instinctive and athletic, the tight end, with his natural catching hands, is fast becoming his quarterback’s most reliable pass. The NFL won’t have missed that either.
Most important games: Week 2 @ Alabama Crimson Tide, Week 4 @ Baylor Bears, Week 8 @ Houston Cougars
The best tight ends behind the top two
Both Bowers and Sanders have the potential to be named in round one. Behind them, however, there are other potential high-flyers.
Jaheim Bell / Florida State Seminoles
Height: 1.91 m Weight: 104 kg
Jaheim Bell shows his true talent post-catch, slicing through defences. He’s also the best inline blocker of all tight ends named before him, which gives him an advantage on some teams that aren’t specifically looking for a receiver, but rather an all-rounder in the next draft. Many offenses appreciate the flexibility of a player and the explosive tight end, with its balanced running style, may be able to break away from opponents more often in the future and become a reliable pass for quarterbacks Jordan Travis develop. Then Bell could hear his name much earlier than is currently forecast.
Bryson Nesbit / North Carolina Tar Heels
Height: 1.96 m Weight: 104 kg
Bryson Nesbit is extremely dangerous, especially in the deep areas of the field. One of quarterback Drake Maye’s key targets averaged 15.7 yards per reception. No one else on this list reaches that high. With the departure of Josh Downs to the NFL, the number of receptions for Nesbit should continue to rise. Above all, the tall athlete has to work on his mobility. Otherwise he will rarely detach himself from opponents.
Tight ends, whose names you should have heard before
The next tight ends could not make a name for themselves. At least you’ve heard it here before.
Cade Stover / Ohio State Buckeyes
McCallan Castles / Tennessee Volunteers
Brevyn Spann-Ford / Minnesota Golden Gophers
C.J. Dippre / Alabama Crimson Tide
Im Transferportal
A special case is this Brite Seydou Traore. The badass athlete transferred from Arkansas State to Colorado in December. Now he’s back in the transfer portal, despite being the top pick from Europe in the skill positions for the upcoming draft. It’s about time for a quick tight end. Once his new team is known, a better prediction can be made about him.
1693592806
#Die #Top #Runningbacks #und #Tight #Ends #NFL #Draft #TOUCHDOWN24