ROUND 1
KENNETH WALKER III
STRENGTHS
+ Quick and explosive
+ ELITE elusiveness
+ First guy miss rate
+ Big play threat
+ Production
WEAKNESSES
-Didn’t catch many balls
-Between the tackles
-Gets knocked back in pass protection
-Playing weight?
GOOD– As he is listed now, size is just good enough to be a 1st round running back. Not a bruiser, but also doesn’t take big hits and can put his head down when needed.
ELITE– Quick and fast, has the ability to break off some big gains.
ELITE – Honestly one of the most dynamic running backs in the open field in recent memory. Very smooth and elusive, good luck tackling him in the open field 1 vs 1. Routinely makes defenders look silly – sometimes multiple.
GOOD – Built compact enough to run through arm tackles and can put his head down/legs moving for some short yardage, but lacks the frame and weight to be elite in this category.
OKAY – Wasn’t asked to catch very many balls , but when asked he had no issues plucking the ball rather easily on short routes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him used in more creative ways in the NFL.
BREAKDOWN
KENNETH WALKER is one of many running backs this year hovering around the 1st round. His size leaves a little something more to be desired but makes up for it with elite elusiveness. Puts on a clinic in the open field and will force a lot of missed tackles. Best in a stretch zone run scheme that allows him to find space and explode. Walker reminds me a little of a less violent version of Dalvin Cook.
Very good potential that should translate well into the NFL as long as he can stay at the 205lbs mark (preferable 210lbs). Might be in a committee as a change of pace situation if he cant keep on the weight for an everydown back. If he meets those standards – he is the most special running back prospect in this draft.
STATS
| Rush | Rush | Rush | Rush | Rece | Rece | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds |
| *2019 | Wake Forest | ACC | FR | 13 | 98 | 579 | 5.9 | 4 | 3 | 17 |
| *2020 | Wake Forest | ACC | SO | 7 | 119 | 579 | 4.9 | 13 | 3 | 30 |
| *2021 | Michigan State | Big Ten | JR | 12 | 264 | 1646 | 6.2 | 18 | 13 | 89 |
| Career | Overall | 481 | 2804 | 5.8 | 35 | 19 | 136 | |||
| Wake Forest | 217 | 1158 | 5.3 | 17 | 6 | 47 | ||||
| Michigan State | 264 | 1646 | 6.2 | 18 | 13 |
