With The First Pick
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2017 First-Round Running Back Draft Prospects

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) watches from the bench during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. Arkansas defeated LSU 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) watches from the bench during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. Arkansas defeated LSU 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) stiff arms Texas State Bobcats safety Stephan Johnson (20) during the first half of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) stiff arms Texas State Bobcats safety Stephan Johnson (20) during the first half of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Dalvin Cook

Both of them being smaller running backs, I had it close between McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook. He is a legitimate Heisman candidate himself after putting up good numbers in 2015. Pro Football Focus has him ranked in the Top-5 in elusive rating and yards after contact per attempt.

What makes him special is his ability to break off a long run. He led the nation in breakaway yards as 1,066 of his 1,696 came on runs of at least 15 yards. And that helped him to a 7.4 yards per carry average, good for second among these five prospects.

To go with his excellent vision and moves, Cook has blazing speed, probably more than the rest. His speed along with his excellent hands make him a matchup nightmare in the passing game. You can have Cook catch passes out of the backfield or split him out wide like McCaffrey.

His speed makes him an even bigger threat in the return game than McCaffrey if used that way. He’ll also have the same issues in pass protection and having to come out in short yardage situations. He should go in the mid-to-late first round to a team like the Indianapolis Colts or New York Jets.

Next: No. 3

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