Kiper & McShay: Favorite running back prospects for 2019 NFL draft

ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay run through their favorite running backs for the 2019 class and pick a sleeper back to watch.

They also pick out 2019 prospects rising up draft boards and give their picks for under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on, the College Football Playoff and CFP MVP.

Let's talk RB prospects

Kiper: This is a unique year for running backs. Unlike the past three, in which we've had top-10 talents such as Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott, there isn't a guy like that for the 2019 class. In fact, as of now, I don't have a first-round running back on my board.

McShay: Yeah, the term I'd use for this RB class is "underwhelming," especially after the season-ending knee injury to Oklahoma's Rodney Anderson, who was getting buzz as a Round 1 guy.

Kiper: Plus, Stanford's Bryce Love and Iowa State's David Montgomery have missed games with injuries, too, There are several backs in the mix on Day 2. I think we're going to agree on our favorite guy, though. Right?

McShay: It's Alabama's Damien Harris. I just love how hard the 5-foot-11, 215-pound back runs. He can hit the hole full-speed and cut without slowing down -- he's not leaving a lot of yards on the field. I see good patience in his runs, excellent ball security and above-average pass protection. Bama RBs have been pretty hit-or-miss at the next level, but this kid has the tools.

Kiper: Absolutely. My favorite stat on Harris? Former Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry had 395 carries for the Crimson Tide in 2015. Harris has 377 total carries in his three-plus seasons at Alabama. He doesn't have the tread on his tires like some college backs get from overuse. He's a phenomenal player with a bright NFL career ahead.

play

Harris runs for 43-yard Bama TD

Damien Harris blows past the Ole Miss defense for a 43-yard Alabama touchdown.

McShay: OK, give me your sleeper back for this draft. Who's a Day 3 prospect we should keep an eye on?

Kiper: Give me Temple's Ryquell Armstead. How can you not love a running back with the nickname "Rock." Armstead is healthy again this season after struggling with a toe injury all of 2017, averaging 5.1 yards per carry for an Owls team with some legit NFL talent. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder runs hard and is a tough guy to bring to the ground. Now, he needs more reps in the passing game, but coaches rave about him, and he's going to be an interesting evaluation for the 2019 class. I want to see what he runs at the combine in March. Who are you taking as a sleeper?

McShay: I like Michigan's Karan Higdon. Last year, he was having a great season until an ankle injury slowed him in November, and he's off to a fast start this season, with 5.8 yards per carry and five touchdowns. The Wolverines are riding him, too. He has 55 carries the past two weeks. Higdon runs low to the ground, and I just really like his vision and patience with the ball in his hands. I'll be watching him over the rest of the season.

Prospects on the rise

These are the 2019 NFL draft prospects moving up boards:

Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR, Texas

A former high school running back, the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has great size and versatility. Humphrey is really making noise because of his ability to show up in the clutch. In the Red River Showdown, he posted nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma (and threw for a touchdown as well). He has at least five catches and 50 yards in all six of the Longhorns' games this season. The junior has the potential to be a nightmare matchup at the next level. -- McShay

Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

Sweat is going to move into the top 10 of my Big Board. Did you see him manhandle the Auburn offensive line on Saturday? The junior had three sacks in the win and now has 15 sacks in 18 games for the Bulldogs. At 6-foot-6, 241 pounds, Sweat has an outstanding takeoff at the snap and good pass-rushing moves. He's a natural pass-rusher and consistently disruptive against the pass and run. -- Kiper

---

Almost famous under-the-radar prospects

Keep an eye on these potential Day 2 or Day 3 picks:

Andy Isabella, WR, UMass

Here are Isabella's stats in the past two games, both Minutemen losses: 25 catches for 389 yards and four touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 186-pound wideout has been uncoverable this season. He has excellent hands and always makes the first defender miss after the catch. Isabella had 17 touchdown catches in 2016-17, and he already has eight more in seven games this season. This is the type of guy who gets picked on Day 3 and has a long, productive NFL career. -- Kiper

Zack Moss, RB, Utah

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back mixes above-average burst, foot speed and power. In Saturday's win over Stanford, Moss -- who is the cousin of Santana and Sinorice Moss -- galloped to 160 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He's averaging 5.8 yards per carry and hasn't had a scoreless game this season. The true junior can be a factor in the passing game for Utah as well, catching 29 passes for 243 yards last season. His vision isn't top-end, but he exhibits good patience with the ball. -- McShay

---

College Football's Most Valuable Players

These aren't our picks for the Heisman Trophy winner. These are the MVPs of CFB.

Kiper's top three:

1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: Tagovailoa threw only 13 passes in the win over Arkansas -- for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He got 202 yards after the catch from his receivers. Can anyone stop this Crimson Tide offense?

2. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State: Just another monster game from Haskins on Saturday, with six touchdown passes against Indiana. He's up to 25 TD passes with just four interceptions in his first season as the starter.

3. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma: I'm not dropping Murray from my top three, though Penn State's Trace McSorley has a case. Murray had two big turnovers in OU's loss to Texas, but he was also instrumental in coming back from three scores down in the fourth quarter,

McShay's top three:

1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: Tua's 16 first-half touchdown passes would lead the SEC even if he never played after halftime. That's how good he has been, despite the Tide often going to the second stringers early (he has had only 50 second-half snaps this season). He added four more on Saturday.

2. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State: Haskins' career-high 455 passing yards were just three shy of the OSU record. The win over Indiana was closer than the end result showed, as the Buckeyes pulled away late on Haskins' six passing TDs.

3. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia: It was a sloppy game against Kansas, but even in his worst outing of the season, Grier threw four touchdowns and for 332 yards. It was the fourth time this season that he threw at least four TDs, which is tied for the most in FBS.

---

If the College Football Playoff started today ...

Kiper's top four teams:

1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson

McShay's top four teams:

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Notre Dame