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NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 quarterbacks and running backs

By Eric Quackenbush

Apr 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams fans await the announcement of quarterback Jared Goff as the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft at draft party at L.A. Live. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams fans await the announcement of quarterback Jared Goff as the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft at draft party at L.A. Live. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) scores a rushing touchdown as Syracuse Orange defensive back Daivon Ellison (19) dives in an attempt to make a tackle during the third quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Florida State won 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) scores a rushing touchdown as Syracuse Orange defensive back Daivon Ellison (19) dives in an attempt to make a tackle during the third quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Florida State won 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

The workhorse running back

The ground game is a mainstay in the NFL. Throughout recent history, teams have tried to implement an aerial attack, but at the end of the day, the grind-it-out, ground-and-pound game in the NFL is absolutely necessary for longterm success.

To me, running back can be the most fun position to watch in a game, and is probably the most difficult position to master on offense, second to the quarterback.

No. 5: Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

Former Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine is the epitome of a workhorse back. During his three years with the Sooners, Perine totaled 4,122 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns.

His production dropped in his sophomore and junior seasons, but he still eclipsed 1,000 yards on the ground, even though he didn’t start every jgame in his freshman and junior seasons.

Perine also has a number of accolades on his resume, including Big 12 Rookie of the Year, and holds the FBS record of 427 rushing yards in a single game, against kansas.

No. 4: Alvin Kamara

Kamara only played two seasons at Tennessee, but he made good use of his time. Probably destined as more of a change-of-pace back, Kamara totaled 1,977 yards from the line of scrimmage, both receiving and rushing. He also totaled 23 touchdowns.

Originally a redshirt freshman at Alabama, Kamara transferred to a junior college in Kansas, where he excelled on the football field. In one season, Kamara rushed for 1,211 yards and 18 touchdowns.

His success at Hutchinson Community College made him one of the top-100 JUCO prospects in the country.

Kamara experienced some off-field issues early in his time at Tennessee, but has since grown from those experiences, and his coaches speak quite highly of him.

No. 3: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook is destined to be selected at some point in the first round of Thursday’s draft. Of the top three running backs in this draft class, Cook may offer the most excitement on the field.

In his three years with the Seminoles, Cook eclipsed his previous season’s rushing stats. He totaled 4,464 yards rushing, 935 yards receiving, and 48 total touchdowns (two receiving).

Cook also received a number of accolades to his career at FSU, including two-time First Team All-American, Jim Brown Award, and Florida’s Mr. Football, among many others.

Cook has the ability to make any defense respect his team’s backfield.

No. 2: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

Christian McCaffrey is touted as a student of the game. Think Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, and that is the level at which McCaffrey is at.

While McCaffrey had a successful career at Stanford, and carried the team as an every down back, most NFL teams view him as a change-of-pace back and multi-purpose player.

For a team that is seeking someone for the return game or to line-up as a receiver, McCaffrey is a solid target.

While at Stanford, McCaffrey totaled 3,922 yards on the ground, 1,206 yards receiving, and 1,479 yards on kickoff returns. In total, he scored 31 touchdowns on offense, and two touchdowns on returns. McCaffrey’s all-purpose yardage totals 6,987 yards in three seasons at Stanford.

No. 1: Leonard Fournette, RB, Louisiana State

Leonard Fournette is a once-every-10-years kind of back. Drawing comparisons to former Minnesota Viking and current New Orleans Saints running back Adrian Peterson, Fournette is a bruiser.

Averaging 6.2 yards per carry in the SEC, which is a feat in itself, Fournette is a big-bodied, fast back. While he will punish any defender who stands in his way, he was also noted for taking brutal punishment, as well.

Fournette’s ability to be a game changer while putting his own well-being at risk, could be problematic in the NFL. If he isn’t able to refine his game and limit the punishment his body will receive, he may have a shorter career than most running backs.

At LSU, Fournette totaled 3,830 yards rushing, 482 yards receiving, and 41 touchdowns. While Fournette isn’t being touted as a dual-purpose back, it has been noted that he has big soft hands, which are great for a receiving target.

Fournette is going to make one very fortunate team happy, with his ability to instantly change the face of a team’s offense.

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