2013 Dynasty League Rookie Draft RB Rankings- Tier 2
Bill Byrne, Featured Analyst, Rosterwatch.com

Here are my 2013 fantasy RB rookie rankings of heading into NFL pro-day season. Tier one contained only one player, Eddie Lacy.

Here we rank Tier 2.

These rankings will bear little relation to which round I might think these guys will be drafted in. They are strictly evaluations for fantasy dynasty purposes, and are subject to radical adjustments post-draft depending on the situation they are drafted into.

2. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA, 5’ 10”, 205 pounds 4.49

Johnathan Franklin is a proven playmaker, but one who still needs development in the passing game and as a pass blocker.  Franklin is a capable inside runner who keeps his legs moving after contact, but he is better served working in space where he can use his initial vision, and can make multiple cut-backs in the open field. He is instinctive in the open field, with a good ability to cut back against the pursuit of downfield defenders. His ability to stay balanced through contact is perhaps his greatest asset. His overall skill-set is solid and versatile. Franklin hasn’t missed a game due to injury in his collegiate career. He has also improved each and every year and is a high-character player. He is not ‘elite,’ but he has the potential to grow into a three-down starting running back in the NFL.

3. Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt 5′ 8 3/8″, 216 pounds, 4.55 

I’ll admit, I’ve probably watched more Zac Stacy video than any other running back. My first impression of Stacy was that he was a poor man’s Doug Martin. The more video I’ve watched, the more ready I am to remove the “poor man’s” label. Built with a  strong lower body, he displays unnatural power for his size. He uses his blockers well and has a great ability to make himself skinny through the hole and to adjust his body through traffic. Stacy has tremendous toughness.
 I seldom cite stats in player evaluations, but Stacy led the SEC (regarded by many as the toughest conference in the country) in 2011 with a 5.94 yards per carry. He picked up 1193 rushing yards on 201 carries while playing without a sub-par supporting cast. Moreover, he came very close to repeating these stats in 2012.
 As negatives, his speed and agility are only average so he is a mediocre outside runner. Stacy lacks great balance, and he is frequently tackled by defenders from behind or from the side.
 Stacy is flying well under the radar and may be the most underrated prospect of the draft. Some team is going to get one hell of a football player.

4. Giovanni Bernard, North Carolina 5-8 3/8, 202 pounds 4.53

Bernard has been tremendously productive as both a runner and a returner. He has played through pain and soreness from a repaired torn ACL.
 He shows phenomenal instincts with terrific anticipation. Bernard has impressive vision and he almost always finds the correct lane. His acceleration and speed jumped off the video. He is explosive both laterally and vertically. Bernard has smooth hands, is a natural receiver out of the backfield, but sometimes will react to footsteps on pass routes over the middle. In pass protection, he gives a strong effort and he does not shy away from contact and his blitz pickup skills are advanced. He definitely looks ready to see the field early in his NFL career in the passing game. 
But Bernard is almost purely a finesse back. His game is similar to Ryan Mathews. He prefers to run out of bounds rather than take the hit, even when he could have broken the play back up field. He does not like to get physical. At the end of runs, Bernard shows a tendency to let his legs go dead, allow himself to be tackled, and figuratively speaking, hold up the “surrender” flag. 
While Bernard has a ton of talent, he may have difficulty becoming a three-down back unless he develops toughness, both physically and mentally. In addition, he is undersized and already has an injury history including a torn ACL. Durability may be a problem.

5. Mike Gillislee, Florida, 5’ 11 1/8” 208 pounds, 4.55

I’m not usually enamored with running backs of Gillislee’s general build, but Gillislee is the exception. I believe that he can develop to be the lead back in a committee, and is strong both as a lead runner and as a 3rd down back. Gillislee has an extremely well-rounded skill set. He is a very decisive runner and doesn’t dance behind the line of scrimmage. Gillislee simply makes one cut and quickly charges ahead. He has excellent ability to dodge defenders and pick up positive yards. With his compact running style, he showcases surprising power and strength for his size. He is highly effective running between the tackles displaying the vision to cut into tiny creases and is able to get through the hole quickly and into the second level at top speed. He does not shy away from contact and is able to run through arm tackles. Gillislee is tough, and has played through painful injuries without losing effectiveness. 
While he didn’t catch many passes in college, he has very good hands and the ability to catch passes underneath and in traffic. He will also be a threat after the catch to pick up some long gains with both his speed and his ability to cut back against the grain in the open field. As with most backs coming out of college, his pass blocking is a work in process. 
I believe Gillislee has enough size to be an every down back at the next level, but because of his build, he may be best suited as lead back in a committee in the NFL. He is a high-character player.

6. Ray Graham, Pittsburgh 5’9 1/8″ 199 pounds, 4.8

I really like Ray Graham. I already have him on my Fat Bastards dynasty team and was disappointed when he tore his ACL. However, he’s made a nice comeback and managed to play some quality football toward the end of his senior year (watch his game vs Notre Dame). Graham’s impressive vision combined with his agility makes him a big play threat. Graham is a playmaker with impressive lateral agility and an explosive change of direction to cut on a dime and maintain his balance. He’s got a real ability to find cutback lanes and often when there is no hole, he can find a way to pick up 10 yards. He has great ability as a receiver, and has the ability to create separation in open field with cuts and subtle moves to avoid big hits. He shows the ability to pluck the ball away from his frame and has even made some impressive one handed catches in his college career. He is a willing pass blocker who is too often over-powered by pass rushers. 
After a disappointing Combine, I’ll be watching his pro-day with interest. But even if he again times out slowly in the 40, I believe he can fully recover his speed by training camp, and represents a tremendous value in your rookie draft because he will go late due to the uncertainty.



7. Montee Ball, Wisconsin 5-10 1/4”, 214 pounds 4.66

Ball was utra-productive at Wisconsin with a NCAA record of 83 career TDs, displaying a great ability to fight for the tough yards to get into the end zone. His running style is extremely patient, waiting for the hole to open and then he cuts and gets through it with a terrific burst. He has great balance and seldom gets knocked off his base with one shot. He runs with determination and technique, lowering his pads on contact and running with a forward lean. He’s good at making himself skinny through the hole, occasionally busting out a sweet spin move. His technique needs to be good, because his leg drive isn’t impressive and he seldom powers through good wrap tackles, He is a one speed runner who lacks a second gear to pull away from defenders.
 Ball wasn’t often used as a receiver at Wisconsin, but he is capable, and has occasionally lined up at wide receiver and ran routes down-field. He is a willing blocker but shows poor technique, struggling to sustain his blocks after initial contact. As with most rookies, his technique should be corrected with more coaching.
 Because he is not a true power back and he lacks speed, his skill set is average for an NFL starting quality RB. His style reminds of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, good starter potential but far from elite.