2017 NFL Draft: Is D’Onta Foreman a first-round pick now?
Among a deep group of running backs this year, has D’Onta Foreman elevated himself to first-round consideration?
In an otherwise disappointing season for the Texas Longhorns, D’Onta Foreman was a bright spot. The junior tailback finished second in the country in rushing with 2,028 yards, on his way to winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back. So it was an obvious decision to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft, and Foreman did so as soon as the Longhorns’ season was over.
A foot injury took Foreman out of the NFL Combine early, but he quickly indicated he’d be ready to go for his Pro Day on March 28. That day came this week, and Foreman had a standout showing.
Foreman had just seven receptions last season, and 13 catches for his college career. But Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst.com reported a good showing in passing catching drills on Tuesday.
Foreman measured at just over 6-feet tall and 234 pounds on Tuesday, and after not being able to run the 40 in Indianapolis he made the most of his opportunity to do it.
D'Onta Foreman UT pro day numbers (only benched at combine): 6-0 1/8, 234, 33-inch vertical, 4.45/4.45 40s
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 28, 2017
NFL.com’s Gil Brandt offered some recent historical perspective on Foreman’s 40-yard dash. As a side note, none of the running backs that posted better than a 33-inch vertical at the combine this year are as heavy as Foreman.
Perspective on D'Onta Foreman's 4.45 40 at 237 lbs today: Using combine data since 2003, no RB weighing 232+ has ever run that fast.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 28, 2017
Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey, in some order depending on the draft analyst you see or read, are the top three running backs in this year’s draft class. After that there’s a bunch of possible Day 2 selections at the position, and Foreman was in that group before his Pro Day showing.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Top target for each team
Depending on how quickly Fournette, Cook and McCaffrey go off the board, Foreman may quickly become the proverbial “best running back available” as the first round winds down. The freshness of an outstanding Pro Day stands to elevate his draft stock some, but Foreman is still likely to wait until at least early in the second round to hear his name called.