2021 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears trade up for QB in two-round mock draft
32. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Running Back. Travis Etienne. Clemson. 20. player
While the NFL seems to be moving away from investing high draft capital or money in running backs, in recent years there always seems to be one running back that still comes off the board in the first round of the draft. Travis Etienne will likely be that guy in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Etienne does just about everything well. He has outstanding speed, he excels in the passing game as a blocker and as a receiver out of the backfield and he has great contact balance to shed tackles.
When he gets the ball, Etienne has great vision and impressive burst through the hole. If he gets in the open field, he has the speed to hit the home run. If he faces a defender, he is as shifty as they come and he’s not afraid to put his head down and fight for extra yards.
After turning David Johnson into DeAndre Hopkins, a trade I’m sure they’re happy with, the Arizona Cardinals could really use a dynamic running back like Travis Etienne. Etienne’s ability to impact the game on every play would add another dynamic to what Kyler Murray already brings to the table.
Kenyan Drake has shown flashes of star potential with the Cards but has lacked consistency, often missing time due to injury. Chase Edmonds is a fine change-of-pace back, but Etienne could come in and be a workhorse on all three downs.
While Arizona has some other needs that they could address, adding one of the best playmakers in the 2021 NFL Draft to Kliff Kingsbury’s offense could be too sweet to resist. An offense with Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and Travis Etienne? Watch out.