STRENGTHS
Nick has that low center of gravity and the balance and vision to be the type of running back who can make yardage all game long. He has an excellent lateral burst to make quick cuts and because of his balance and vision is moving forward when he makes those cuts. He has a strong base making him hard to tackle when he runs between the tackles and because of his burst opponents struggle to bring him down in open space. Nick is smart and understands how to follow his blocks and set up his offensive lineman to make their blocks easier. Nick is a mature, quality football player with leadership skills through his play on the field. Nick’s style of running is very similar to former running back Curtis Martin.

CONCERNS
Nick has worked his way back from a horrific knee injury but this will be an issue that will affect his draft status. All I can tell you is that is the same issue that dropped former Buffalo Bills Hall of fame running back Thurman Thomas to the 2nd round of the 1988 draft. Nick will also have to prove his ability to catch the ball out of the back field, Georgia really didn’t pass him the ball very much, and this will be an issue for some teams.

BOTTOM LINE
Nick Chubb is the reason most analyst suggest that you can find a running back at any point in the draft. What makes a top running back you ask, mental and physical strength, balance, lateral explosive agility and vision is what makes a great running back. Notice I did not mention speed and the reason why is because if a running back doesn’t have mental and physical strength, balance, lateral explosive agility, and excellent vision then speed will not do him any good. Nick has good speed and towards the end of this season his second gear to take the ball all the way to the end zone inside the fifty yard line was returning. Nick’s knee injury was horrific and the fact that he came back from it is remarkable. He did take almost a full year to return mentally from this injury but I feel turning on the tape of the last game he played this season proves that Nick is back all the way and just in time to show the team that selects him what he can do. I know Nick will not be selected early in this draft as I have him rated, that’s just the politics of a draft. I also know that Nick will be an impact running back and once again will be the reason and proof that you can get a potential great running back at any round in a draft. Like I mentioned earlier, Nick’s style of running and ability to break tackles and power to run between the tackles and out in open space reminds me a lot of former Patriots/Jets hall of fame running back Curtis Martin who wasn’t selected until the third round of the 1995 draft proving once again that you CAN find great players in any round of any draft. Look for Nick’s place on Rob’s value board to discover what round he most likely will be selected in.

Drew Boylhart   FEB.2018