Detroit Lions NFL Combine and draft primer: Running backs
Nick Chubb
Lastly, Nick Chubb is one of the last prospects that I would consider a more instant help in the backfield. At Georgia Chubb was part of a duo with Sony Michel that dominated the SEC.
Chubb had major knee surgery, but after coming back for two years decided to forego his remaining eligibility to turn pro. The 5-10, 225-pound’er is a thoroughbred athlete with a lot of family that played college or pro sports. His cousin Bradley is a likely Top 5 pick this year at defensive end.
The best thing about his college touches are that the depth at Georgia did not force him to carry the load every year, sharing duties with Sony Michel, and Todd Gurley, prior.
Chubb plays with good lean and pad level and finishes runs. His stop-start ability is not ideal, nor is his 4.56 speed. Nick looks like an NFL starter, though, and plays like one most of the time. Playing in the SEC he has proven that he can compete against Alabama and other top competition, even rushing for thirteen 100-yard games in a row.
Needless to say, he seems to have recovered from the sophomore knee injury, but that will be a big area of concern for teams looking to bolster their backfield with this talented runner.
Final thoughts
As I have been researching potential prospects who may fit what the Lions need on their roster, I have learned a ton. This list isn’t the only list, and there certainly are some other players who may do well during the Combine and in the NFL.
I hope that by explaining what makes a prospect elite, or explaining what scouts and experts look for, that you are a more informed Combine and Draft watcher. There are many websites that will further explain what each test measures, what the draft terminology means, and what scouts or personnel people look for from each event.
Next: Debunking NFL Scouting Combine Myths
Let me know if there is another runner who has caught your eye over the next few days. Follow me on Twitter, CoachKirk @mkirk2! Thanks for reading! Go Lions!