2018 Rookie Profile: Bo Scarbrough, RB Alabama

Levi Chappell

You are probably getting tired of hearing about the deep running back class of 2018… but we keep bringing it up for a reason. This class will provide value in the second, third, and fourth rounds of your rookie draft, and Bo Scarbrough fits right into that category as well. Although not one of the top prospects in this years draft, Scarbrough’s athleticism and power cannot be denied. He can be a powerful first and second down back if given the right opportunity.

Production

As a freshman, Scarbrough sat behind Derrick Henry and watched him run for 2,219 yards and 28 TDs on 395 carries (no… those are not Henry’s career stats. He ran the ball 395 times IN A YEAR!). Scarbrough was then in an RB competition with Damien Harris during his sophomore season and ultimately lost out on the starting job.

screen shot 2018 03 31 at 21.19.34

Statistics from sports-reference.com.

The 2016 season ended up being more of a 50/50 split between Harris and Scarbrough, with Bo receiving most of the goal-line duties. He put up an impressive 6.5 yards per carry and 11 TDs on just 125 carries.

The 2017 season looked like it was going to be the same one-two punch of Scarbrough and Harris, but Big Bo ended up having a relatively poor year. He was never able to live up to the potential and hype of the 2016 season. Scarbrough received 124 carries to Damien Harris’s 135, while the new coming freshman, Najee Harris (watch out) received 61 carries. Bo’s yardage, average, and TDs all dropped in 2017, therefore lowering his draft stock.

Game Tape

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

One thing that Scarbrough excels at is fighting through contact and finishing the play. You rarely see him get taken down by one defender, and he almost always falls forward when getting tackled to gain extra yardage. He runs strong and doesn’t give up on the play.

Another aspect of Bo’s game that goes unnoticed at times is how patient of a runner he is. Listed at 6’1’’ 232 lbs, and built like a tank, it would be easy for him to put his head down and run straight through the line. Instead, you see him survey the line, use jump cuts, and utilize patience to find the open holes.

His upright running style is something to be concerned about. It may have worked in college, but guys are much faster and stronger in the NFL. His center of gravity is much higher than other RBs in this class and he may struggle to break tackles like he did at Alabama.

Measurables

When we look at Scarbrough’s spider chart via MockDraftable, the first thing you notice is that he is a physical specimen. He ranks in the 84th percentile or higher in seven of ten categories. His vertical jump and broad jump are especially impressive, ranking him in the 95th and 93rd percentiles.

If you watch Scarbrough run, it’s hard not to immediately think of his former running mate, Derrick Henry. They are both tall and powerful backs who run upright and carry the ball high on their arm. Henry is the more talented back though, and possesses a pass-catching ability that Scarbrough lacks. Scarbrough’s measurables are more comparable to guys like James Starks, Adrian Peterson, and a fellow 2018 NFL draft prospect, Kerryon Johnson.

Also note that Scarbrough’s 40 time of 4.52 doesn’t sound abnormally fast, but at 232 lbs… that is very impressive.

Dynasty Value

In the March 2018 DLF rookie ADP, Bo Scarbrough is rated as the 29th rookie and the 12th rated running back. That ADP has him right around a mid third rounder in standard 12-team leagues. Based on his athleticism alone, I could see someone reaching for him at the end of the second round and making him a top-ten rookie running back selection. Scarbrough hasn’t shown that he can carry a full workload and he lacks the pass-catching ability that you look for in a complete back.

Conclusion

Scarbrough has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. His body is already built for the NFL and he has shown that he can fight through contact to gain extra yards. He is never going to be a three-down back, but he could be a good first and second down back who can punch it into the end zone. He uses the jump cut very effectively for a man of his stature and is also very competent in pass protection which is something NFL scouts love to see. If Scarbrough could be paired with a pass-catching specialist on a team like the Redskins (Chris Thompson) or Panthers (Christian McCaffrey), he could be very successful.

I’ll leave you with these highlights of a large man running like a gazelle.

[/am4show]

levi chappell