Atlanta Falcons select Jase McClellan in sixth round of 2024 NFL Draft

Former Alabama running back Jase McClellan has been drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 186 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

McClellan was the leading rusher for Alabama this past season, totaling 890 yards and eight touchdowns on 180 carries (4.8 yards per carry). He also proved his versatility out of the backfield, hauling in 137 receiving yards on just 15 catches.

He spent four seasons with the Crimson Tide but didn’t find his place in Nick Saban’s regular rotation until his junior season. In 2022, McClellan logged 112 touches out of the backfield and finding the end zone seven times in what was arguably just as impressive of a season as his senior, as he averaged 5.8 yards per carry during his junior season.

Before his time in Tuscaloosa — the potential for a professional career was always there. McClellan was a four-star recruit out of Aledo (TX), according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 47 overall player in the 2020 class.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jase McClellan

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein broke down what his new team is getting in a running back like McClellan.

“Steady three-down running back with the size and skill set that should create a roster opportunity for him. McClellan lacks explosiveness but gets it done with above-average vision and know-how. He’s quick to process his lane choice and smooth getting from cut to cut. He has good-not-great burst and appears to be better suited for gap and inside-zone runs. He runs with excellent pad level and loose hips, creating impressive contact balance to extend runs through contact.

“The numbers don’t shine in the passing game, but he’s very capable of handling all aspects of third-down football. He’s an instinctive runner with three-down talent who could end up outplaying his draft slotting on the right team.”

Zierlein lists McClellan’s strengths as being able to process lane development, solid instincts when making reeds, above-average wiggle to push would-be tacklers off-kilter, is able to see incoming contact, is a solid route runner out of the back field with soft hands and elusiveness after the catch, among other positives.

For his weaknesses, Zierlein lists room for improvement regarding McClellan’s explosiveness, has average foot quickness when making lateral cuts, has modest top-end speed, can get “too cute,” and needs to place higher priority on staying squarely in front of rushers.