Looking for value: Which rookie will be this year's Kareem Hunt?
Rookie running backs have taken the NFL by storm in recent years, with a number of ball-carriers impressing despite not being chosen in the first two rounds of the draft.
Jordan Howard - a fifth-round selection - ranked second in the league with 1,313 rushing yards in 2016, behind fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott. And just last season, third-round pick Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing.
The 2018 NFL Draft is extremely deep at running back, so a number of teams will be looking for value between rounds three and seven. Every coach wants the next Kareem Hunt.
You already know the consensus top prospects in this class - Saquon Barkley, Derrius Guice, Ronald Jones, Sony Michel, Rashaad Penny, and Nick Chubb - so here are four rushers who will likely be selected later in the draft, but could provide tremendous value for their teams.
Mark Walton - Miami (FL)
Walton will likely come off the board on Day 3, but could very well be a draft steal. Similar to Hunt, he's a below-average athlete with game tape that should quiet some concerns. Walton plays with incredible balance and burst, and while he battled an ankle injury last season, he averaged 7.6 yards per carry in the five games he was able to suit up for. The former four-star recruit is also an adept pass-catcher and blocker, making him a potential three-down back in the pros. His inside vision and decisiveness both need work - he gets a bit dancey behind the line of scrimmage - but that's easily fixable with good coaching.
Royce Freeman - Oregon
One look at Freeman's college production and measurables will illustrate why he can be a great value pick this year. An ideal fit for a zone rushing attack, he possesses an excellent frame and feel for running lanes. Freeman averaged over six yards per carry twice during his illustrious Oregon career and has shown the ability to catch the football. At 229 lbs, he's quick and athletic, and excels at churning out yards after contact. He's not the most elusive ball-carrier, but Freeman could provide his future NFL team with instant production, without needing much coaching.
Kalen Ballage - Arizona State
Ballage is not a finished product, but has the athleticism and potential that teams covet at running back. He's well built and plays the game with ferocity, frequently earning chunk yardage after initial contact. Scouts love his ability to line up in the slot and clean hands out of the backfield. Ballage's college production, however, was not among the best in this class. The Sun Devils seemingly benched their athletic ball-carrier last season, and he was usually part of in-game rotations early in his career. While an early-round selection is unlikely, Ballage simply possesses more upside than most other Day 3 targets at his position. He could easily be a better pro than college back.
John Kelly - Tennessee
This is an interesting study. Criminally underused at Tennessee, Kelly was a broken-tackle machine in the SEC, with pass-catching ability. His final collegiate season left much to be desired, but he averaged 6.1 yards per carry in 2016. Kelly's fit as a potential 2018 Kareem Hunt is particularly interesting, in part because he profiles almost exactly like the Chiefs rusher from a height-weight-speed perspective. The former Volunteer is a tough, nimble runner who possesses more power than his size suggests. Amid a deep running back class, Kelly looks like the Day 3 pick who ends up being one of the best value selections this April.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)