9. John Kelly, Tennessee
28 OF 36
28 OF 36
Darron Cummings/Associated Press
POSITIVES
—Kelly is a stout, tough, physical runner who can tear up a defense with his punishing style but also as a talented receiver out of the backfield.
—He rarely goes down on first contact and looks for ways to hurt would-be tacklers with either a stiff arm, a lowered shoulder or a thigh to the body.
—Kelly is tailor made for inside zone schemes given his compact frame, power and straight-line vision between the tackles.
—As a third-down option, Kelly is a good receiver and might be a better pass-blocker. He more easily translates to the pros as an option in passing situations than he does as a pure bell-cow back.
—Playing behind Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara for so long at Tennessee means Kelly comes to the NFL with limited wear-and-tear.
NEGATIVES
—Just a one-year starter at Tennessee and has limited extended production.
—Kelly was arrested in 2017 for marijuana possession following a traffic stop. He was suspended one game.
—Is considered undersized for NFL standards and may be scheme- or role-specific for teams.
—He doesn’t flash elite speed or quickness, which could be a devastating weakness for a smaller back.
—Teams have questioned whether he can stay healthy with a small frame and such a punishing style of play. One scout called him “an offensive version of Bob Sanders."
OVERALL
Different teams could have wide ranges of opinions on Kelly, but we like his toughness and ability to contribute immediately on third downs. Plug him into a West Coast system that likes inside zones and he’ll see the field early.
GRADE: 6.25 (Mid-Round 3)
PRO COMPARISON: James White, New England Patriots
