Todd McShay gives surprise pick for best running back in the NFL Draft

When ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his first mock draft this week, one thing stood out: He didn’t project any running backs in the first round. On Wednesday, fellow analyst Todd McShay weighed in and gave an interesting pick for best running back in this year’s draft.

McShay is high on Georgia running back James Cook, who finished 12th in the SEC in rushing yards this season. He could be a running back prospect who could go on the second day of the draft.

“I think James Cook is really interesting coming out of Georgia,” McShay said. “This guy, he wasn’t even the starter coming into the season for Georgia and really became the go-to player. He’s such a perfect fit for your scat back and receiver that you can put in the slot. He’s a big-play running back. May never be an every down starter, but he’s going to light a fire for you offensively. He’s moving up there and could be the third or fourth running back taken somewhere in that day two range.”

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In Georgia’s national championship win over Alabama on Jan. 10, Cook took six carries for 77 yards, including a 67-yard carry. He found the end zone four times this season on 113 carries for Georgia, which had the No. 6 rushing offense in the SEC this season.

Mel Kiper, Todd McShay have big question surrounding Matt Corral

Matt Corral is seen as one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. Wednesday night, ESPN NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay had an important question about the Ole Miss star.

During the reveal show for his Mock Draft 1.0, Kiper projected Corral to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the No. 20 overall pick. That would make him a potential replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, who’s expected to retire.

Kiper and McShay had one big question: How would he handle it?

“Then we get to another quarterback,” Kiper said. “Pittsburgh Steelers. Who’s the heir apparent to Big Ben? Who’s the guy who’s going to replace Big Ben? It’s going to be in this particular mock, Matt Corral. You say ‘Eh he’s not that big. Can he hold?’ He’s a Steeler with a gritty mentality. He loves to play the game. His running skills with that RPO are well documented.

“Now can he stay healthy? Does he have the physicality to withstand as a guy who’s going to throw that body around and run the football? We’ll see. Matt Corral figures somewhere at this portion of round one.”

“I had Corral going second but there are questions not only about the durability but also with him,” McShay replied. “A lot of his throws are within five yards of the line of scrimmage, very high percentage.”