2019 NFL Scouting Combine: Running Back Notes

It’s finally here! The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off with the offensive line and running backs. We’re going to focus on the running backs for this one. This one is all about expectations. Did a player run faster than expected? How was the elusiveness? Did the back show lower body explosion in any of the drills?

Overall, I couldn’t be more disappointed by this running back group. For reference, just go look at what Christian McCaffrey was able to do two years ago. The running backs this year can’t sniff his jock in terms of performances at the combine. Just a lot of ugly. Couldn’t be more disappointed. Here’s what I should lead with. Which running back didn’t totally stink at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine?

Bad News First!

Let’s get the bad news out of the way. How was Elijah Holyfield so slow? I almost cried watching it. A 4.78 is unacceptable. I love him as a player. Powerful and shifty but he was awful today. Just so slow in all his movements and I didn’t see it coming. Nothing was more disappointing today than that. The only good news was the 26 reps on the bench which was expected

So out on Justice Hill. Pulls a hamstring in the 40. What a shock. So out. Never invest in small running backs. 5-foot-10, 198? While trying to bulk up? OUT.

Then there’s a group of guys who just had no burst. No second gear. Just 3 yard per carry bums. Karan Higdon, Myles Gaskin, Nick Brossette, and David Montgomery. The last one was the most disappointing. All I heard was how shifty Montgomery was and he just flat out stinks and can’t catch.

LJ Scott did not run but participated in the drills? I wonder why? SLOW, SLOW, SLOW.

We had Darrell Henderson who ran the 40. Ran a solid 4.49 time and then didn’t do anything else. It was a day that just gave me nothing.

Miles Sanders had a decent day but I didn’t really love him in college. Seems like just a guy? Damien Harris looks like a less talented version of Mark Ingram. I was hoping for Kenyan Drake but he clearly doesn’t have that level speed or explosion (4.57).

That leaves a group of Devin Singletary, Benny Snell, and Mike Weber. I’m going to show this clip because this clip was the most productive thing that happened during the entire session. Singletary was slower than a punter today and ran a 4.66. He has some shiftiness to him but no second burst. Snell is just a bruiser. Ran 4.67 but that’s what I thought I was getting. Downhill thumper and punish people. Not totally one dimensional either and can make a guy miss. Weber actually is a pretty good athlete but couldn’t start on his own college team.

Good News!

Ryquell Armstead can catch. He only had 8 targets in college so I wanted to watch if the Temple back could catch. Well, he nailed it. This is the one guy Who I have liked all year and he’s killed it during the pre-draft process. I’m in on Temple.

Vendetta Running Back Big Board

• 1: Bryce Love (Stanford) DNP
• 2: Darrell Henderson (Memphis)
• 3: Ryquell Armstead (Temple)
• 4: Rodney Anderson (Oklahoma) DNP
• 5: TIE Elijah Holyfield & Josh Jacobs & Damien Harris