2021 NFL Draft Stats: Explosive Run Rates Of Top Running Backs In Class

[Shoes]

Are the Pittsburgh Steelers destined to draft yet another running back this year? It certainly appears that will wind up being the case and the likelihood of one being selected in the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft certainly seems very plausible as well. As part of my annual study of the top running backs in a draft class, I like to look at the explosive factors of each as they exit college. That means looking at the percentages of runs each had that gained either 10 or more yards or 20 or more yards.

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/03/2021-nfl-draft-stats-explosive-run-rates-of-top-running-backs-in-class/

[that1guy]

Unless Trey Lance or Mac are available when the Steelers select then YES!

[SteeleReign]

Yeah, this analysis definitely needs context. The list of RBs with the highest explosive play rates reads like a list of special teams/3rd down gadget guys.

That said, I'd take Harris or Etienne if available, depending upon the quarterback situation going into the draft, of course.

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[Born2Steel]

Were any of these QB sneaks?

[Lloydwoodsonjr]

Of the top RBs about half were taken in the 2nd or later rounds. Conner was a 3rd and has been good when healthy.

The average age for Pouncey, Villanueva, Decastro and Feiler this year was 30. We already saw this happen in 2006-2008 when Faneca went to Jets and Hartings, Simmons and Smith retired or left.

Alualu is 33 and Decastro is 31.

OL and DL need attention more than RB. I don't see how a RB will run behind this OL. It will be Mendenhall and "Protecting Ben with weapons" all over again.

[EzraTank]

They need a stud OL over a RB. I say they take a RB off that list in round #2 and pick of a TE in round #3.

[Lloydwoodsonjr]

Hopefully a TE that can block. Not a blocking TE just a TE that doesn't line up in the slot. TE like Heath, Witten, Kittle, Gronk are ideal and obviously very rare. Vance was in that mold roughly. Ladarius Green was more receiver and Ebron is more receiver- shows how much the Steelers are geared towards passing.

I think we are seeing some differences in how the Rooneys, who have been talking run game for years, and Tomlin and Ben view offense in today's NFL.

[Shoes]

Hopefully a TE that can block. Not a blocking TE just a TE that doesn't line up in the slot. TE like Heath, Witten, Kittle, Gronk are ideal and obviously very rare. Vance was in that mold roughly. Ladarius Green was more receiver and Ebron is more receiver- shows how much the Steelers are geared towards passing.

I think we are seeing some differences in how the Rooneys, who have been talking run game for years, and Tomlin and Ben view offense in today's NFL.


If Freiermuth is available @ R2, I'd take him in a heart beat. There are some good TE's that have blocking ability in this draft so hopefully they pick a complete one this year. They will need to pick-up/draft someone in JuJu's place. A good fresh, complete TE can help in that department also.

[RunNGun]

Freirmuth in rd 2 and I would be ecstatic. I'd be happy with Freirmuth in rd 1 TBH. They surely will go Center in rd 1 or 2 though. I also like Javonte Williams in rd 2. Another running back that isn't talked about much is Brian Robinson Jr. out of Alabama. He was Harris' backup but he was very efficient. He may be there in the 3rd or 4th rd.

[Shoes]

Freirmuth in rd 2 and I would be ecstatic. I'd be happy with Freirmuth in rd 1 TBH. They surely will go Center in rd 1 or 2 though. I also like Javonte Williams in rd 2. Another running back that isn't talked about much is Brian Robinson Jr. out of Alabama. He was Harris' backup but he was very efficient. He may be there in the 3rd or 4th rd.

Agreed. It will be interesting to see what happens in FA, Colbert seemed to hint that they would be pretty active.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Agreed. It will be interesting to see what happens in FA, Colbert seemed to hint that they would be pretty active.

BTSC with a prediction on how NFL FA will happen this season, seems pretty reasonable:

"The National Hockey League has laid out the blue print of exactly what will happen if the salary cap lowers. In the NHL’s case, top level players were quickly snatched up for their normal prices, but after that almost no moves were made. For a couple months the league’s free agent pool looked like an all-star lineup. Slowly, those players were snatched up, but mostly on one-year deals around the veteran minimum amount of money. Almost all of 2020’s free agent will be free agents again in 2021."