Devontae Booker deserves 1st-round consideration

Oct 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Devontae Booker (23) is tackled by California Golden Bears cornerback Cameron Walker (3) during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

For good reason, 2017 running back prospects Leonard Fournette (LSU) and Nick Chubb (Georgia) have gotten all the attention in college football these days. And when it comes to the 2016 NFL Draft, all the 1st-round consideration is going to Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State) and Derrick Henry )Alabama). But I’ve been looking at Utah’s Devonte Booker and he should go in the first round too.

Booker not only has every tool you need in the NFL as a runner but he is an all-purpose bell-cow back. At 5’11”, 215 pounds his awesome power is what he’s most known for as he is very hard to put on the ground. Over the last two years, Booker leads all Power-5 running backs in yards after contact with 1,235.

And to go with it, he has the speed to make it the distance once he gets out in front of the defense. He also has the most important things like excellent vision and the ability to make you miss. Of course, seeing where to run and where to cut is important and you simply cannot last in NFL if you can’t miss defenders miss.

Your body will take way too much wear and tear plus there are times the defense has too many men in the box. It is at that time that you have to be able to make guys miss in a phone both and he can do that as well as in space. So he’s a complete runner as well as complete running back as he’s a good receiver out of the backfield and pass-protects well.

All that was on display last Saturday vs quarterback prospect Jared Goff’s the California Golden Bears. On the day, Booker rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns including one from 40-yards out. He also had four catches for 45 yards to total 267 yards from scrimmage to show the kind of workhorse he is.

If he continues to play this way, he has to be good for a 1st-round pick.