With the NFL Draft about a month away, national columnist Mike Farrell takes a look at some running backs who could provide major value depending on what round they are picked including two guys who have been forgotten about by many.
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1. Michael Carter, UNC, third roundÂ
Michael Carter could end up going in round two, but the consensus is that he will be taken behind North Carolina teammate Javonte Williams who I have as a second-rounder. Carter can not only run between the tackles but he can catch the ball as well and would be a great value in round three. He could start as a third-down back, if needed, but with back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons with 20-plus catches in three straight years he could do many things.
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2. Kylin Hill, Mississippi State, fourth roundÂ
Remember Kylin Hill? Before Mike Leach arrived at Mississippi State he led the SEC in rushing in 2019 with 1,350 yards. He caught 23 passes under Leach in 2020 before opting out, so he's a target out of the backfield as well, but speed is always the question. I can see him sliding to round four based on those questions, but he's a good value there.
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3. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State, fourth roundÂ
Oh, and remember this guy? Chuba Hubbard rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 2019 at Oklahoma State and decided to come back in 2020 and regressed a bit. We had him as an athlete coming out of high school because he could do so much and catch the ball. Despite a slip on film, he's still a value pick at round four and could go higher.
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4. Demetric Felton, UCLA, fourth roundÂ
Demetric Felton is a pure third-down back, to me, at the NFL level and he's shown that ability to catch passes with 99 career receptions at UCLA. He's never been a workhorse runner so there are questions about his durability, but for someone who wants a receiving weapon in the middle of the NFL Draft he's perfect.
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5. Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas, fifth roundÂ
Rakeem Boyd averaged more than 6 yards per carry his first two seasons. He fell back this last year at Arkansas, but he still has intriguing value. Boyd has always been a big runner with good feet and he could be a solid NFL backup or someone who shares the load with an RB1.
