Looking WAY Ahead: The 2017 NFL RB Draft Class....

[NewColtsFan]

 

So, here'a Valentine's day gift for all my Colts' NFL draft fans.....

 

By now, some of you (perhaps even most of you?) have heard that the 2017 class of running backs is shaping up to be an all-time great class should everyone who can come out declare.     (And some of these guys could go back to school and come out in 2018, but I suspect it's not likely)

 

10 really great looking backs.  (In no particular order, this is NOT a ranking)   

 

Starting with.....   

 

1.   Leonard Fournette        LSU

2.   Nick Chubb                   Georgia

3.   Sony Michel                  Georgia

4.   Dalvin Cook                  Florida St.

5.   James Connor              Pitts

6.   Royce Freeman           Oregon

7.   Corey Clement             Wiscon

8.   Samajie Perine            Okla

9.   Kevin Taylor                 Florida

10.  Christian McCaffrey    Stanford

 

Pretty incredible list.       And who knows how many others might surface between now and the next 14 months or so?

 

Oh,  and a footnote.....

 

Over on my Stanford site, one fan who has visits Pro Football Focus found this amazing factoid about McCaffrey.....     how great was his 2015 season?     

 

This great..........   (Cutting and Pasting from PFF)

 

Christian McCaffrey (RB, Stanford) had the best college season of any running back.   Ever.

Do you remember Melvin Gordon at Wisconsin last year? He was unstoppable. In Week 14 of 2014 against Nebraska, he ran for what was at the time an NCAA record 408 yards en route to 2,587 yards on the year. He had the most yards of any running back in college football history other than the great Barry Sanders in 1988. Gordon led all running backs with a season grade of +31.7.
 

In 2015, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey made Gordon look like he was running in snow pants.  By virtually every metric, McCaffrey had one of the most historic seasons we’ve ever seen. He shattered Barry Sanders’ all-purpose yards record by 614 yards (3,864). In the Rose Bowl, he was the first player in the bowl’s history to have 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving.  In the end, he graded out to +51 — almost 20 points higher than Gordon’s terrific 2014 season.  In addition, he received a grade of +16.5 as a kick and punt returner – good for second in the nation.  He runs, he catches and he returns kicks at an elite level.

 

[MPStack]

What is everyone`s opinion on C. McCaffrey being successful in the NFL. It`s kind of hard to get past the stereotypes of white running backs in the NFL. Does anyone envision this guy being a 1000 yard back or more like a Danny Woodhead type guy. Curious for opinions!

[Defjamz26]

I'm curious as to whether Chubb will ever be able to play football again, and if so, at what level? He had one of the worst knee injuries I've ever seen, even worse than Lattimore's.

[USAFHoosier]

Check out Jalen Hurd from Tennessee 

[Track Guy]

It looks like a good class a year out, that's for sure. 

[MasterCrief]

I knew the 2017 class was good, but I didn't realize it was looking that stacked. This is exactly why I don't think we'll invest heavily in the RB position this offseason. If that many RBs come out next year, we might be able to snag our back of the future in the 2nd or even the 3rd round. 

 

Call me crazy, but I think Gore has another good season in him and I'm than happy riding him heading into the next season. 

[cm43sports]

I believe that Kelvin Taylor declared for the draft this year. It does appear to be a great class of running backs though, I'd love if the Colts grabbed one of them.

[SDakColts]

This is the reason why we shouldn't draft a running back early this year. Next year is so stacked that the positions value with drop a little bit which will make for good players to be available a little later in the draft.

[OffensivelyPC]

If we walk out of next year's draft with Dalvin Cook, I would be thrilled.

[NorthernBlue]

1 hour ago, SDakColts said:

This is the reason why we shouldn't draft a running back early this year. Next year is so stacked that the positions value with drop a little bit which will make for good players to be available a little later in the draft.

Exactly right. Next year is the only draft where I would LOVE it if we took an RB in the first. I'm a big Zeke Elliot fan, but I'd pass him for one of Maccaffery, Fournette or Chub any day. 

[COLTS449]

There's a kid from Bama who nobody's heard of yet. I think he's eligible for the draft next year. But watch and see. He'll be a breakout player next season and make this RB class that much better. Remember the name Bo Scarborough. Plus a guy like Clement could breakout and his stock could skyrocket. But I would love to have Maccaffery in the 2nd next year.

[aaron11]

8 hours ago, MasterCrief said:

Call me crazy, but I think Gore has another good season in him and I'm than happy riding him heading into the next season. 

crazy or not about the good season, he is signed and almost definitely coming back.  we gain little money by cutting him and would have to find another starter

[wig]

Odds are presently that Freeman returns for his senior year. He wants his degree. 

[RockThatBlue]

Boom Williams from Kentucky could declare in 2017 as well.

 

Huge year for RBs

[gacoop1]

The best move the Colts would make is to draft two(2) Edge rushers on the first two rounds and RB on the third  and OT and OG the rest of the way.  Also don't count out Free Agency. You can get a couple of Defensive players and Offensive players as well..

[LockeDown]

You take what the draft gives you.  Go defense this draft and grab RB next draft.

[Colts_Fan12]

I would cry if we somehow got Fournette

[UKColt13]

RB first round next year.

 

Yes please.