Devy Notes: Running Back Spark Plugs
Running backs with speed have a chance to provide an impact in fantasy if they land in the right situation. Being able to explode into the second level of the defense will grant opportunities to break off long gains on a consistent basis. By being able to gain large chunks of yards, explosive runners can help fantasy gamers win a few matchups each year.
The running backs who run with a lot of pop in their legs are usually dangerous in the passing game. They are schemed to get the ball in open space so they can utilize their quickness and speed. These added opportunities will generate more fantasy points in the box score, making burst and size-adjusted speed qualities we must look for when analyzing running backs.
RED MAMBA GOT JUICE – Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
No running back’s value has spiked more than Vaughn’s in the last year. He went from an athletic prospect to a player who has a good chance of getting taken in the top 100 of next year’s draft. There’s a lot to like about this kid. The internet is loaded with Vaughn’s highlight-reel runs. With another solid season, he will solidify his status as one of the top running backs in next year’s class.
Vaughn showcased his talent at Illinois during his freshman season, rushing for 723 yards and six touchdowns while also catching 16 passes for 119 yards. Even though he shared the workload with senior running back Josh Ferguson that season, he still managed to own an 18.83 percent market share of the team’s offensive production, ranking eighth amongst freshman running in 2015.
Illinois experienced a coaching change the following year that allowed Lovie Smith to be named as the team’s head coach. Couple that with a few nagging injuries and Vaughn’s sophomore season was less than desirable. He ran for just 301 yards and three touchdowns. Reggie Corbin and Kendrick Foster led the team in rushing. All of a sudden, his long-term outlook with the Illini didn’t look too promising.
Immediately after the season ended, Vaughn decided to transfer. He enrolled at Vanderbilt a few weeks later. Due to the NCAA’s transfer policy, he had to sit out the 2017 season. Once established with the team, he became a crowd favorite and the coaching staff was very excited to fully onboard him onto the program once he became eligible to play.
Vaughn made an instant impact for the Commodores, rushing for 1,244 yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards or more against Tennessee State, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and Baylor. His 7.9 yards carry average ranks in the 97th percentile amongst running back prospects.
Ke'Shawn Vaughn, RB Vanderbilt is quicker than a hiccup. pic.twitter.com/221rJL9Tlg
— Bruce Matson (@MetricScout) June 17, 2019
On a consistent basis, Vaughn executes speed, explosiveness and elite level short-area quickness. At 5-foot-10 and 218 pounds, he can fly. His size-adjusted speed will make him a crowd favorite amongst draftniks come draft season. Not to mention, he will rise on people’s draft boards once he showcases his athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine.
One last clip of Vaughn pic.twitter.com/JzqjsbPrI7
— Bruce Matson (@MetricScout) June 17, 2019
Per PFF, Vaughn averaged 5.3 yards after contact per attempt and he rushed for 15 or more yards on 60.1 percent of his runs. His ability to maintain his balance after contact and quickly regain speed helps him to gain the extra yards that most running backs can’t. If he gets the ball in open space, he will be a threat to score – he’s that dangerous.
Devy mock drafters are already catapulting him up their draft boards. He’s not a sleeper anymore. With that being said, he has the chance to elevate his actual draft capital with another productive season with Vanderbilt. The sky is the limit for Vaughn.
RAZORBACK BACON – Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas
After Devwah Whaley suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss a few weeks, Rakeem Boyd surged, rushing for over 100 yards against Alabama, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. Arkansas’ 2-10 season limited Boyd’s exposure to the national spotlight, making him an under-the-radar prospect going into the 2019 season.
Rakeem Boyd for Heisman #WPS pic.twitter.com/VueOUhZ5FP
— Made In Arkansas (@WildHogz_SZN) July 8, 2019
Boyd’s athleticism is a total game-changer. He is fast enough to outrun the defense for a long gain if he hits open space. His ability to accelerate through the hole allows him to zip by linebackers once he hits the second level. Not to mention he caught 23 passes for 165 yards last year. His touch share should increase this season which will elevate all of his numbers.
The former “Last Chance U” star will need to continue his success for him to be competitive in the devy market’s deep pool of running backs. He will need to prove he can handle a large workload without any setbacks. Also, a good portion of his 102-yard performance against Alabama came during garbage time. With that being said, he will need to maintain consistency while opposing defenses are keying on him this year.
For him to rise the ranks and become a serious draft prospect, he will need to add some wiggle to his game. He’s more of a one cut and go type of runner and lacks the ability to chain together multiple moves to make defenders miss. He will also need to add some size to his frame if he wants to be considered a feature back at the next level. He’s listed at 6-foot-0 and 200 pounds, but he appears to be sitting around the 210 range. Nonetheless, five-to-ten more pounds added to his frame will increase the excitement tethered to his long to player value.
After showing some promise early in his career. Devwah Whaley hasn’t lived up to his potential. He has yet to put together a 1,000-yard season. The team is currently transitioning away from Whaley and onto Boyd for their starting running back. Whaley doesn’t have the long speed or the burst to make a significant impact at the NFL level. Injuries have also prevented him from maximizing his potential. He has some good characteristics but he’s lacking the innate intangibles to allow him to be competitive against top tier competition.
Even though Whaley is not as talented, his veteran presence could allow him to steal some work away from Body. It’s Boyd’s job to lose. If he performs, then he’s not coming off the field. If he doesn’t live up to the hype, then things could get ugly quick.
If Boyd can carryover his production from last season and chain together multiple 100-yard games this season, his devy stock will definitely increase. The competition is tough at running back and it’s going to be hard for any player to come out of nowhere and become a top-five running back prospect. However, he has the potential to increase his draft stock with a good season this year.
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD – Shaun Shivers, Auburn
Shivers will never be a heralded devy prospect, but he might serve a purpose in fantasy if he lands in the right situation in the NFL. He’s a smaller running back at 5-foot-7 and 173 pounds who runs with a lot of speed. As a freshman last season, he rushed for 371 yards and three touchdowns. Penalties caused him to lose a few of his long runs which limited his offensive output. It’s going to be interesting to see how he will be deployed in Auburn’s offense in the next couple of years.
Shaun Shivers’ 2018 freshman highlights pic.twitter.com/EmLoEcMYAO
— Power of Dixieland (@PwrofDixieland) December 9, 2018
Shivers runs with a different level of speed. He’s gone if he gets the ball in the open field. With some development, he could be a functional asset in the right offense. You just don’t teach that type of speed. He will need to go to a team with an open-minded offensive coordinator who tries to get their athletes the ball in space, but there’s a chance that Shivers’ athleticism could allow him to carve out some sort of role at the next level.
His size will prevent him from ever being a workhorse back. He does run with some power and is not afraid to try to run through defenders. Even with his size limitations, he has the burst to produce inertia to drive defenders back at the point of contact.
Unless you’re in an ultra-deep dynasty league, I don’t suggest taking a stab at Shivers. Between JaTarvious Whitlow, Kam Martin and DJ Williams, there’s a lot of competition on the roster at running back. His production share metrics won’t satisfy most dynasty owners, but his speed and potential fit makes him an upside play when he hits the draft scene.
I recommend keeping tabs on him during the next couple of years. He could exceed expectations and evolve to be a mega-producer. After all, he has game-changing speed. Right now, it’s just a wait-and-see situation to see how the touches will be distributed amongst the rest of the running backs on the roster.
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