Top 10 running backs in the 2019 NFL Draft

#6 Justice Hill, Oklahoma State

Hill was the equalizer to Oklahoma State’s high-flying, air-raid offense, as he provided a steady rushing attack

This kid was not really talked about as one of the top RBs in the country until last season, but he has certainly made his mark on the Big 12 these last three years.

Hill was the equalizer to Oklahoma State’s high-flying, air-raid offense, as he provided a steady rushing attack. As a sophomore, he amassed 1557 yards and 16 scores from scrimmage on 300 touches, with only two games of less than 80 yards on the ground (both blowout wins). Rib injuries limited him to ten games last season.

At 5’10” and 190 pounds Hill has game-breaking speed and excellent balance for his size. He sets up defenders in the open field with hesitation and makes them look like they are stuck in the mud at times.

He brings some of that unique cut-on-a-dime running style with him. The small back has tremendous acceleration from zero to a hundred and an amazing jump-cut to get rid of multiple defenders.

Hill is one of those guys whose legs might point one way and his head looks a completely different one. He can spin and juke out of tackles and leave the defenders wondering how he got away.

While Hill is more of a slashing type of runner who doesn’t bring a lot of size to the table, 423 of his 930 yards came after contact last season.

As a 19-year old sophomore he squatted 565 pounds already – that is three times his weight(!) – and his explosiveness was on full display at the combine, as he led all running backs with a 4.4 flat, a 40-inch verticals and 130-inch broad jump, before his workout was cut short by a pulled hamstring.

Hill had his most success on lead-power and draw plays at OSU, but he also ran a variety of different screenplays. He might never put a defender flat on his back with a stiff-arm, but it is effective due to good hand-placement and that gives him enough to get away. And for everybody who thinks he can’t last in the league – just watch him close out the Boise State game for the Cowboys.

Hill’s biggest weakness by far is his work in pass protection, as he extends outside his frame to land a shot and either gets run past quickly or completely misses.

Trying to compensate for his lack of size, the former OSU standout doesn’t shoot into contact when trying to chip or take on a rusher, but instead, he leans with one shoulder and doesn’t hold defenders off that way. I would rather see him get run over trying to square somebody up than what I’ve seen from him protecting his QB.

With just 13 catches last year Hill will have to prove he can be more of a factor receiving the ball and at least make sure that nobody looks at this as an effort problem. As a runner, I see too much-wasted movement with him at times and would just like him to get what is there first, as well as not twisting his body into contact.

Hill also has a tendency of over-bouncing plays instead of going upfield and that also counts for trying to cut back plays that have guys pulling to the original play-side.

The picture I have in my head when thinking about Hill is him jump-cutting behind a blocker and then putting on the burners. This guy needs just a tiny crease to get into the open and from there on everything is possible.

I can not even count the times when I thought he would be brought down, but he somehow escaped and made the pursuit angle of a defender look absolutely stupid. I think you have to reign the explosiveness in a little and make him more of a disciplined inside runner, but this guy is a home-run threat.