2021 NFL Draft running back rankings: Trey Sermon most underrated player in class
By John Blair
The 2021 NFL Draft running back class is led by Najee Harris who is the only running back to receive a first-round grade. However, the second round could be the sweet spot for running backs to be drafted as four players earned a second-round grade.
Most underrated running back in 2021 NFL Draft: Trey Sermon
Trey Sermon was one of the most dominant players in college football at the end of the 2020 season. He rushed for 331 yards in the Big Ten Championship game and accounted for 254 yards in the College Football Playoff semifinal. As a prospect, he is a downhill runner who shows good vision. He can help out in the passing game as well and has 48 career receptions.
Most overrated running back in 2021 NFL Draft: Khalil Herbert
Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert had a strong season this past year rushing for 1,182 yards and averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Despite this, his talent is more worth a late-round pick instead of a third or fourth-round grade some draftniks give him.
As a runner, he lacks great speed and is also not that powerful of a ball carrier. He has also never been much of a contributor in the passing game never having had more than ten receptions in a season.
Day three gem in 2021 NFL Draft: Chuba Hubbard
Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard saw his stock fall significantly this season, after an impressive 2019 season. That year he rushed for 2,094 yards and was named the Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year. This past season though he was only able to account for 625 rushing yards. Despite this downfall in production Hubbard has the speed and vision to be a starting running back in the NFL.
Running back that is the biggest risk in the 2021 NFL Draft: Kylin Hill
Another player who had a strong 2019 season but a disappointing 2020 year is Kylin Hill. Along with a significant drop in production, he also had some off-the-field issues. One of these included being suspended for one game and then later opting out for the rest of the season. This sequence of events is one of the reasons he faces maturity issues as he enters the draft.
Top small-school running back in 2021 NFL Draft: Jaquan Hardy
The small school class of running backs has no one near the talent level of James Robinson who went undrafted last year out of Illinois State but went on to rush for more than 1,000 yards. The top small-school running back in this year’s draft is Jaquan Hardy out of Tiffin. Hardy is a physical running back who will likely get a shot as an undrafted free agent.
2021 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings
1. Najee Harris, Alabama (first round)
2. Travis Etienne, Clemson (second round)
3. Michael Carter, North Carolina (second round)
4. Trey Sermon, Ohio State (second round)
5. Javonte Williams, North Carolina (second round)
6. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis (third round)
7. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State (fourth round)
8. Javian Hawkins, Louisville (fourth round)
9. Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State (fourth round)
10. Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma (fifth round)
11. Kylin Hill, Mississippi State (fifth round)
12. Larry Rountree III, Missouri (fifth round)
13. Jaret Patterson Buffalo (sixth round)
14. Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech (sixth round)
15. Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas (seventh round)
16. Deon Jackson, Duke (seventh round)
17. Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana-Lafayette (seventh round)
18. Asim Rose, Kentucky (free agent)
19. Ronnie Rivers, Fresno State (free agent)
20. Otis Anderson, UCF (free agent)
21. Caleb Huntley, Ball State (free agent)
22. CJ Marable, Coastal Carolina (free agent)
23. Spencer Brown, UAB (free agent)
24. Greg McCrae, UCF (free agent)
25. Jaquan Hardy, Tiffin (free agent)
26. Marcus Williams Jr., Appalachian State (free agent)