2019 NFL Draft: Names to keep an eye on at NFL Combine

Running Backs

While names like Josh Jacobs and David Montgomery rise to the top of this running back class, the middle of the pack shows a lot of intrigue and depth this year. These three showed some big-time production in college, and with a solid combine, they could see their stock on the rise.

Darrell Henderson, Memphis

The Memphis running back put up monster numbers for the Tigers in 2018, posting 2,200 yards from the line of scrimmage and a staggering 25 touchdowns. The junior running back displayed the ability to be a dual-threat weapon in college, and heading into the Combine, he has the ability to separate himself from the middle of the pack in this year’s class.

Expect him to test very well when he travels up to Indianapolis at the end of the month, and if he does, he could see his name called potentially as early as the second round.

Bennie Snell Jr., Kentucky

Speaking of elite production at the college level, there is not a back in this year’s class with a higher level of production than Bennie Snell Jr. The junior running back was a three-year starter at the University of Kentucky, and finished his career as a Wildcat with almost 3,900 yards and 48 touchdowns on the ground. About 1,448 yards and 16 scores of that total came in 2018.

Snell will have to show that he has the burst and agility to play at the next level by testing well at the Combine. He will also need to show that he has the ability to catch the football out of the backfield as he only averaged less than 10 catches and 72 yards per season as a receiver. Versatility and burst are needed at the next level, but if Snell can test well in agility drills, he could improve his stock move up from early Day 3, where he is currently mocked in most drafts.

Bryce Love, Stanford

Nobody saw his draft stock take a bigger hit from 2017 to 2018 than Bryce Love. Coming off of a season where he was the Heisman runner-up with over 2,100 yards and 19 touchdowns, Love had an abysmal senior season at Stanford. He managed only 739 yards and six scores in 2018, and then to add insult to injury, he tore his ACL in early December.

He will be limited at the Combine due to rehabbing his knee, but Love will still have questions to answer during his interviewing process as well. It is hard not to feel bad for Love who could have entered last year’s draft and found himself taken in the second or third round, who now finds himself as a Day 3 flier.