Chicago Bears: Underrated running backs in 2019 NFL Draft
By Ryan Heckman
Ryquell Armstead, Temple
As a running back, if you can run a decent 40-yard dash, you’ll catch some attention. But, if you are 5-foot-11, 220 pounds and finish it in 4.45 seconds, you’ll do more than turn some heads. That’s exactly what Temple running back Ryquell Armstead did at the NFL Combine.
Armstead has an interesting collegiate career, because he didn’t become a true starter until 2018 yet still produced throughout his entire four years with the owls. Aside from a minor ankle injury last season, Armstead has been pretty healthy over his four years in college. He rushed 573 times for over 2,800 yards and nearly six yards per carry at Temple. Armstead scored double-digit touchdowns in two seasons, including 2016 where he only started four games and found pay dirt a career-high 14 times.
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Like Snell, Armstead is a strong back and runs with an even heavier head of steam. His style is aggressive, yet affective. Another downhill runner, Armstead attacks defenses head-on and rarely loses yardage.
As a short-yardage back, the Bears would have found their guy in Armstead. Those are the situations he thrives in, again like Howard did. I’m not saying Chicago needs another Howard, but getting someone who won’t back down and gets those tough yards would be beneficial.