One of the more intriguing “sleeper” options in the 2021 NFL Draft at the RB position is Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson only has 165 carries to his name throughout his college career, which indicates that he’s still learning and growing, but the tape shows that there’s promise for the young running back.
Just like any prospect, Stevenson has room to grow. However, the groundwork to build upon is certainly there. He has great size for the position that he compliments with power, and he simply has a knack for making plays. The athletic testing numbers might scare some teams and scouts away, but it’s certainly not unprecedented for players with similar athletic traits to make an impact in the NFL.
Stevenson was listed playing at 246 pounds at Oklahoma, but he weighed in at 227 pounds at the Oklahoma Pro Day. What weight did he play at in college is going to be a question NFL scouts will have. If he did shed nearly 20 pounds, is his power still going to be the same? Does he have what it takes to be a true workhorse running back in the NFL if he didn’t carry the ball all that much in college?
These questions are answered here in our scouting profile on Rhamondre Stevenson.
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Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – Oklahoma)
Vital Statistics
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 227 lbs.
40-Yard Dash: 4.63
Vertical Jump: 31.5
Broad Jump: 112
Bench: 15 Reps
Short Shuttle: 4.47
College Statistics
Check out Rhamondre Stevenson’s detailed college stats here
Skills Legend
| 80+ | Generational Talent |
| 79 | Top-10 Skill |
| 78 | First-Round Skill |
| 77 | Second-Round Skill |
| 76 | Third-Round Skill |
| 75 | Fourth-Round Skill |
| 74 | Fifth-Round Skill |
| 73 | Sixth-Round Skill |
| 72 | Seventh-Round Skill |
| 71- | UDFA |
Skills Chart
Skills Breakdown (out of 100)
Vision (73.5): Stevenson is a big, bruising back that plays like he’s 30 pounds lighter than he’s listed at 247. He has fantastic vision in between the tackles and is consistently reaching the second level of the defense. Used on inside zones and stretch plays alike, but is HIGHLY effective when lined up in ISO with pulling guards. Good patience to follow his blockers and has a great understanding of how to create space in tight windows. Good footwork to set himself up into the best position to pick up additional yardage as well.
Burst (76.5): Surprising burst for a player of his size. Able to get upfield quickly and carries his weight extremely well. He has more than enough SAQ (Short Area Quickness) to succeed in the NFL.
Change of Direction (75.5): Won’t be able to go from a standstill at the LOS and jump gaps, but is elusive in a phone booth. He has a great understanding of how to evade tacklers with subtle side-to-side movements, which is a testament to how well he carries his weight.
Power (77): Physical player that plays with a low center of gravity. Tough to bring down when he lowers his pads and engages with a defender. Fantastic stiff arm in the open field and able to keep defenders at bay with his upper body strength. Willing to meet defenders at the hole and move them backward with his size.
Speed (75.5): Certainly won’t pull away from defenders for 50+ yard runs, but has more than enough speed for his size to pick up chunk plays. Showed the ability to pull away from defenders but doesn’t have the extra gear to create distance deep downfield. Got caught from behind every time he hit the open field. This is fine, though, and it’s not a deal-breaker for his NFL outlook. NFL RBs rarely reach that much open field.
Contact Balance (77): It is almost impossible to bring down on first contact due to his size and power. When he plays with a low pad level, defenders bounce off of him. He also possesses a nice spin move that he frequently deploys that displays his overall balance.
Pass Catching (77): Natural receiver out of the backfield. He has the potential to soak up targets as a safety valve or even schemed touches. Not a refined route-runner where he can run option routes and set up defenders but shows natural receiving ability that can make him a true 3 down threat.
Pass Protection (75): Pass protection might be one of the best aspects of Stevenson’s game. Strong and willing to stand in against players as large as EDGE rushers. Great recognition and understanding of positioning. This is all aiding in him being a 3-down player in the NFL. Overall, Stevenson might just be the most underrated RB in this 2021 draft class. He has the size to be an NFL workhorse and the skillset to take advantage of the opportunity if he gets it. The draft capital will certainly play into his overall long-term outlook, but he’s worthy of a Day 2 pick from a talent perspective.
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Video Evaluation
They Said It
Projected Draft Range
Due to the questions regarding his overall athleticism and tape discrepancies – regarding his weight – it’s nearly impossible to predict where Stevenson will go in the 2021 NFL Draft. Based on his talent alone, Stevenson should be considered an early Day 3 pick, but it’s all going to be up to how NFL GMs view him.
Ideal Fantasy Landing Spot
The Steelers have a need at RB – as of the time of writing – and Stevenson fits exactly what they look for in an RB. He’s a big, physical presence that can provide some receiving ability out of the backfield as well. He’d instantly compete with Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland for the starting role there, and he’d have an excellent chance of winning it outright.
Fantasy Comparison
When looking at Stevenson’s measurements and testing numbers, it’s hard not to see a bit of Jordan Howard in his game. Stevenson (6’0/227) and Howard (6’0/230) play very similar styles of football. They’re not going to create a ton on their own, but they’re very economical with their use of space. They have a tremendous feel for the game and know how to create space for themselves in small windows. At nearly identical testing numbers, too, it’s easy to draw the comparisons.
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Kyle Yates is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Kyle, check out his archive and follow him @KyleYNFL.