2015 NFL Draft Hot Takes: RB Zach Zenner, South Dakota St.
When you look at the crop of running backs for the 2015 NFL Draft, one guy whose production stands out above the rest comes from the heartland of America, in the Great Plains of South Dakota — Zach Zenner.
Zenner, who has three straight seasons of 2,000 yards rushing or more heading into his NFL journey, is one of the most consistently productive players I’ve ever watched at the collegiate level. And he’s not just a one-trick pony. Zenner can run the ball well, of course, but what NFL scouts are really going to love is the way he catches it out of the backfield.
Oftentimes, guys who dominate ‘lower’ levels of competition struggle against big name teams, but Zenner flourished, putting on some of his best performances at SDSU against the likes of Nebraska.
So why is it that some people feel like a three-time 2,000 yard back with the ability to catch the ball is destined to be a fullback in the NFL? Well, that’s where we get into the hottest of hot takes in regards to the NFL Draft. Sure, Zenner is a bigger back who runs with a purpose, but he’s more than just a guy that can win between the tackles.
This is a player I am extremely high on, and I want to dig into what others around the NFL Draft world think of him. He’s gaining steam as one of everyone’s top sleeper picks in this year’s draft, one that is absolutely loaded with talent at the running back position.
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When you watch Zenner play, you see a guy who makes quick decisions and gets up-field in a hurry. He doesn’t dance in the backfield, does a good job of following his blocks, and explodes through the hole to the second and third level. He blew people away at the Scouting Combine with a 41-inch vertical jump, putting on display that explosiveness.
This is a smart, tough, physical player who has a nose for the end zone and can help your team out in so many different ways. I feel like he’s not getting anywhere near enough credit from NFL Draft analysts but he’s gaining a lot of steam. People are finally starting to take notice that his skills translate to the next level. Observe.
Zenner’s breakaway ability is underrated. He did this consistently at South Dakota State and did it despite not having 4.4 speed. I decided to ask a couple of members of the NFL Mocks staff what they thought about Zenner.
Nate Williams: “Zach Zenner was a FCS stud who had three straight seasons with 2000+ yards rushing, yet is playing the “underdog” role in so to speak in the 2015 NFL Draft. He will likely be a late round pick, who I’ve even heard may be open to learning the fullback position in the NFL. Mike Alstott 2.0?”
Jonah Tuls: “Zach Zenner is underrated, 6th round guy on my board that has the potential to be a solid third down back in the NFL. He has the production, but the competition is questionable. There is a feeling in me that he is going to surprise some people in the NFL.”
Tenner is one of my personal favorite prospects in this entire draft. I think some team is going to get a heck of a value on day three and there’s really nothing I have seen from him that he can’t do as a running back. I don’t know how long it will take him to adjust to the speed of the NFL game, but this is a player that has what it takes to eventually be a starter quality back in the league.