2017 NFL Draft Prospect profile: D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

The running backs at the top of the 2016 draft will get the most attention, and with talents like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, and Christian McCaffrey, it’s tough to blame evaluators. They are all productive and between the three there is a skill set to suit any offensive need.

But there is a second tier of players that is almost as talented, talented enough, in fact, to have been standouts in nearly any other draft. Among that list of backs is Texas’ D’Onta Foreman, a big back with excellent feet. With the New York Giants handing the starting running back job to rookie Paul Perkins and Rashad Jennings potentially on his way out, a “power” back like Foreman could be on their radar.

Measurables

(Pro Day measurables)

Height: 6 feet, 0 inches

Weight: 233 pounds

40 Yrd Dash: 4.45 sec

Vertical Jump: 33”

Broad Jump: 10'00"

20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.29sec

3-Cone Drill: 7.21sec

Pros

• Impressive size while not being too tall.
• Cannot be arm-tackled, and a load for a loan tackler to bring down. Keeps his legs churning to finish runs.
• Surprisingly quick feet for a big back. Agile enough to make defenders miss or bounce runs outside.
• Good short-area burst to explode through a hole, into a tackler, or around the edge.
• Often ran out of the shotgun formation and doesn’t need a “runway” like most big backs.

Cons

• Appears to have reliable hands, but not often used as a receiver
• Played out of a spread offense, can he block in the NFL?
• Didn’t always run with the power you would expect from a big back.

Does He Fit With The Giants?

In my opinion, yes. Yes he does.

Foreman’s experience (and ability) running out of the shotgun formation is a definite benefit considering how often the Giants run that alignment. He would also provide a great dynamic with Paul Perkins, adding a big physical presence while still allowing the playbook to stay open. Foreman is almost tailor made to run in the Giants’ inside-zone scheme while also having the ability to bounce runs outside if necessary.

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - 66th overall

CBS Sports - 135th overall

Draft Countdown - 96th overall

Draft Tek - 110th overall

Final Thoughts

As it stands now, Foreman’s draft stock will likely be fluid.

He’s the type of back who looks best on the football field and would benefit tremendously from being able to play in an All-Star game. However, as an underclassman, he isn’t eligible.

Foreman wasn’t able to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, but he put on a show at the Texas Pro Day with a fantastic 40 yard dash and showed off his remarkably quick feet. He caught the ball well in drills, but since he was rarely used on passing downs in college, that remains a question mark going forward.

He has fantastic feet, almost reminiscent of Le’Veon Bell (a 240-pound bruiser when he came out of Michigan State), and could benefit similarly from a leaner physique. I’m not going to hang that comparison on him, however. Instead I’ll say that he reminds me of former Giant Andre Brown, who was a similarly powerful and determined runner and, like Foreman, had incredible feet and an absolutely nasty jump cut.