4 rookie RBs who could play major roles next season

Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent the last 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast."

Depth charts around the NFL were altered in a big way these past few days. Running back is one of the league’s most short-lived and fluid positions. It's not uncommon for a rookie running back to come in and take a huge bite out of the pie for touches once he proves to the coaching staff he has adequate ball security and a firm grasp on the pass protection concepts.

Below (and, obviously, this has some fantasy football overlap) are some backfields that added rookie help in the draft. Though they may look a little murky right now, in each situation the rookie could wind up playing a major role.

Oh, Dallas wasn’t mentioned because Ezekiel Elliott is going to have a monster year and run away with Rookie of the Year honors.

Kenneth Dixon, Ravens

With several capable, yet clearly unspectacular backs already on board and needs on the defensive side of the ball, it was rather surprising to see the Ravens use a fourth-round pick on Dixon. But this isn’t being critical of the pick at all. Dixon was just too good for Baltimore to pass up.

Clearly ahead of Dixon on the depth chart are Javorius Allen, Baltimore’s fourth-round pick from a year ago, and Justin Forsett, who had a gigantic 2014 season, but only saw action in 10 games last year and will turn 31 years old in October. And right around Forsett’s birthday is when I expect Dixon - who should learn a lot from the veteran - to grab hold of the majority of the backfield action.

Already very good in protection and - especially as a receiver - Dixon’s roadblocks to playing time are minimal. Remember, in Marc Trestman’s offense, running backs catch a ton of passes (think Matt Forte). When the 2016 season wraps, Dixon will be the Ravens’ leading rusher as well as possibly hauling in well over 50 receptions. Of the Ravens’ 11 draft picks, it might be Dixon that does the most for Baltimore in year one. Elliott aside, Dixon will be the most productive rookie running back next year.

Jordan Howard, Bears

It came as a surprise that the Bears waited until the 150th overall pick to select a running back. But picking Howard, a no-nonsense productive power runner, could pay immediate dividends.

You'd think Howard would begin his career as Chicago’s short yardage runner and could be in line for quite a few touchdowns in his rookie season, but Kendall Langford and Ka’Deem Carey offer little resistance above Howard on the depth chart. He should be the lead back in Chicago, with their upgraded offensive line, before long. He was an excellent addition.

Paul Perkins, Giants

The Giants entered free agency with major needs all over their roster. They entered the draft with fewer needs, but still aren't lacking for problem areas to address.

While they weren't able to properly address every spot that needed fixing, the Giants got both value and positional need covered very well throughout their draft class. But their fifth-round pick, Perkins, could go down as the greatest value of all.

Shane Vereen is a very good receiver and should maintain that role, but jumping Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams for carries shouldn’t be difficult for the incoming rookie. Perkins, who has drawn comparisons to LeSean McCoy, might be the most elusive and difficult-to-tackle runner in the class. He isn’t really big, but he also doesn’t lack for power, and while Perkins’ long speed is just average, he does have big play ability.

This opportunity is ripe for the taking for Perkins in what has the chance to be a very good offense overall.

Derrick Henry, Titans

Let me preface this by saying I have quite a few questions about how well Henry will transition to the NFL. He needs a head of steam to get rolling and will need decent-sized holes to maximize his potential. However, I also think the same is basically true for DeMarco Murray and, even at his very best in Dallas in 2014, Murray was awarded these privileges as a runner. Murray didn’t fit Chip Kelly’s system from the start, but also showed very little burst or ability to create yardage on his own in Philadelphia. Not to mention the immense wear and tear his body sustained in 2014 might be an obstacle he can never recover from.

But Henry is also coming to the Titans after a massive workload during his Heisman-winning 2015 campaign with Alabama. Clearly the Titans are looking for a running back to handle a very heavy load, wear down defenses with a physical style, and reduce unfavorable down and distance situations for Marcus Mariota in his second season.

My hunch is Murray gets that duty early in the season, is replaced by Henry, and then a year from now, both are replaced with one of the very talented runners entering the league from the 2017 draft class. Also, even though this team is improved, they will most likely be playing from behind quite a bit, and a guy like Dexter McCluster might be on the field in passing situations much more than many realize.