College football is almost upon us, which means the 2017 NFL draft will be here before you know it. Those of us at Scouts Inc. -- myself, Kevin Weidl and Steve Muench -- spent the summer scouring tape and ranking the top players at each position from a draft perspective.
Below is our preseason evaluation of the best running backs in the 2017 draft.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.
1. Leonard Fournette, LSU*
Grade: 95
Where do you start? Fournette led all running backs last season with 162.7 rushing yards per game and ranked fourth in touchdowns (22). He has a rare combination of size, power, agility and speed for the position. Fournette runs angry and violent, consistently initiating contact with defenders. Despite his punishing style and heavy workload (513 carries in 25 games), he has proven to be pretty durable, though he suffered an ankle sprain during a Tuesday scrimmage. Fournette belongs in the same conversation as elite RB prospects such as Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott. Fournette has the potential to be a top-10 pick.
2. Dalvin Cook, Florida State*
Grade: 90
Cook doesn't need much of a crease to explode through the hole. He's not an ankle breaker, but he makes defenders miss with subtle changes in direction and speed. And he has an uncanny ability to keep on his feet and make defenses pay for sloppy tackling. Lower-body injuries hampered him last season, and he underwent offseason shoulder surgery. Cook, a 2015 team captain, has the tools to be a three-down back in the NFL, so teams will do their due diligence on his durability issues and his off-the-field red flags.
3. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford*
Grade: 90
McCaffrey's 2,664 total yards from scrimmage last season were 354 more than the next-closest player (Derrick Henry). And that doesn't even count his impact in the return game (28.9 yards per kickoff; 8.7 yards per punt). Not to be outdone by his off-the-charts production, coaches and teammates rave about McCaffrey's work ethic and tireless motor. What really makes him special is his ability to make defenders miss. He has a rare combination of vision, lateral agility and acceleration, which more than makes up for his lack of ideal size (6-foot, 197 pounds). McCaffrey projects as a 2017 or 2018 first-round pick.
4. Nick Chubb, Georgia*
Grade: 80
Chubb had rushed for more than 100 yards in 13 consecutive games before tearing multiple knee ligaments (but not his ACL) in 2015. A thickly built RB with a powerful lower body, Chubb proved he can churn out yards after contact and push a pile in short-yardage situations. Chubb's ability to return to his old self once he gets back on the field will go a long way toward determining his 2017 draft stock, should he declare early.
5. Samaje Perine, Oklahoma*
Grade: 75
A hard-nosed runner who doesn't shy away from contact, Perine has rushed for 3,062 yards over the past two seasons (fifth in the FBS) and 37 touchdowns (tied for fifth). Defenders tend to bounce off him if they don't wrap up. Perine has the potential to excel in offenses that feature a power running game like Seattle and Carolina. His pass-catching ability could use some work, though.
6. Wayne Gallman, Clemson*
Grade: 73
Gallman doesn't have the size, power or top-end speed of an elite prospect, but he has the potential to develop into an effective third-down back. He fights to stay on his feet and pick up extra yards, and with 45 catches over the past two seasons, Gallman has some upside in the pass game. He shows the ability to catch the ball in stride, but he's not much of a breakaway threat after the catch.
7. James Conner, Pittsburgh*
Grade: 70
Conner appeared poised for a monster season in 2015 after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns as a true sophomore in 2014. But he sustained a season-ending right knee injury (MCL) in the 2015 opener, and in December, he announced he had Hodgkin Lymphoma. He has since been declared cancer free and is expected to return to the field. Conner profiles as a bruiser who can make an immediate impact as a short-yardage runner. He has the brute strength to push the pile and carry defenders for extra yards when he runs North/South and maintains a wide base.
8. Kareem Hunt, Toledo
Grade: 68
Hunt has a thick lower body, and he consistently breaks multiple tackles on the same play. His lack of production in the passing game (just 32 catches in three seasons) isn't ideal, but he flashes potential to develop into an effective receiver. Plus, he's proven to be a willing blocker in pass protection. While Hunt has quick feet for his size (6-foot, 225), he lacks a second gear and isn't a breakaway threat when he gets a seam.
9. Jalen Hurd, Tennessee*
Grade: 66
Hurd shares comparable measureables and traits to Derrick Henry. The differences? Hurd doesn't have Henry's top-end speed, but he has better lateral quickness and brings more versatility in the passing game (57 catches in two seasons). A highly competitive and determined runner, Hurd fights for hidden yardage at the end of runs.
10. Royce Freeman, Oregon*
Grade: 65
There's a reason Freeman has averaged 6.0 yards per carry the past two seasons: He's rarely tackled for a loss. He's patient when he needs to be but decisive when a crease appears. With 42 catches for 506 yards, Freeman has added value in the pass game, though his lack of ideal suddenness and breakaway speed hurts his grade a little bit. He projects as a mid-round prospect for either the 2017 or 2018 draft.