Fourth in a series
Leading up to the NFL combine that begins Wednesday in Indianapolis, we will look at the top prospects from a different position group each day, along with the Texans’ needs in that area. Today, we focus on the running backs.
Top prospects
1. Josh Jacobs, Alabama
He wasn’t even the leading rusher for Nick Saban last season, but he generated 640 yards and scored 11 touchdowns and showed he can catch, too. Could be the only back selected in the first round.
2. Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic
Accumulated three 1,000-yard seasons. He’s got good size, speed and acceleration. As a sophomore, he had 1,918 yards and 32 touchdowns. Should go in the second round.
3. David Montgomery, Iowa State
He ran for at least 1,100 yards in each of his last two seasons, including 1,216 in 2018 when he also scored 13 touchdowns. He’s physical and elusive. Should go in the second or third round.
4. Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
Scouts love his breakaway ability and production last season when he ran for 1,760 yards, scored 18 touchdowns and averaged 6.5 yards a carry in the nation’s toughest conference. Should go in the second or third round.
5. Damien Harris, Alabama
It was Harris (876 yards) who was the Tide’s leading rusher and not Josh Jacobs, the higher-rated back in the draft. Harris showed he can run and catch and could go in the second or third round.
Best of the rest
Elijah Holyfield, Georgia; Bryce Love, Stanford; Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky; Justice Hill, Oklahoma State; Darrell Henderson, Memphis; Myles Gaskin, Washington; Mike Weber, Ohio State.
Texans’ interest/need
If they don’t bring back Alfred Blue, whose contract is up, they’ll need a third-down back, someone who can catch as well as run. Lamar Miller is entering the last year of his contract. D’Onta Foreman is returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon that hampered his second season. If they don’t sign a back in free agency, they could use one of their draft choices to fill the need. Offensive tackle and cornerback are their biggest needs, but they could go as high as the third round for a back if the right prospect is there. They also could wait until a later round.
PREVIOUS
Feb. 21: Offensive line
Feb. 22: Defensive back
Feb. 23: Quarterbacks
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