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Alabama RB Derrick Henry, Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey and Clemson QB Deshaun Watson were named this season’s Heisman Trophy finalists Monday night. And more likely than not, each of these guys will be selected in the NFL draft sometime in the future.
Let’s take a look at how each finalist is expected to fare in the NFL:
Derrick Henry, Alabama, RB: Henry makes big-time plays in big-time games. He carried the ball 38 times for 201 yards against LSU, 46 times for 271 yards against Auburn and 44 times for 189 yards against Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Henry is tough and productive, but if he leaves for the 2016 draft he probably will be selected after Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliot because Elliot is quicker laterally. However, for 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, Henry has shown that he is light on his feet, and can bounce runs to the outside. He has also displayed impressive vision and patience. When Henry gets his momentum going, his power takes over. He constantly breaks tackles and has the ability to outrun most college players. For maximum success in the NFL, he needs to be drafted by a team that uses a traditional blocking scheme that opens up holes and gives him space. Henry only struggles when teams force him to dance laterally because it takes away the power and the straight-line speed that make him special. He also hasn’t proven himself to be a reliable receiver. But Henry is likely to be taken in the mid-to-late first round.
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, RB: McCaffrey usually puts on quite the show. He had 369 all-purpose yards with four touchdowns against UCLA, 389 all-purpose yards and three TDs against California and 461 all-purpose yards and three TDs against Southern Cal in the Pac-12 title game. McCaffrey is dynamic with his ability to run the football, catch the football and provide explosive returns on special teams. He will garner more attention from scouts during the 2016 season. McCaffrey will be one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2017 or 2018 draft.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson, QB: The passing numbers Watson has put up this year are solid, but his most impressive statistical accomplishment might be completing more than 70 percent of his passes. He has also run for more than 700 yards and continued to provide big plays with his arm and his legs. Watson is still a sophomore, and he hasn’t reached his full potential yet. He will be drafted in 2017 or 2018, but at this point it’s still unclear how he will develop.
Chase Erickson is a contributing writer for SDS. He covers Tennessee. Follow him on Twitter @ChaseDownField.
