Draft Analysis: Travis Etienne

April 23, 2021 /
  • Height: 6’0″
  • Weight: 204 lbs
  • College: Clemson
  • Tape watched: Notre Dame, Virginia, Pittsburgh
  • NFL Comparison: Alvin Kamara

Pros

Etienne’s two greatest strength’s are his exceptional vision and contact balance. He is patient, ala LeVeon Bell, when running lanes don’t present themselves immediately. He manipulates defensive fronts in order to create run lanes that he slips through with his good burst through the line of scrimmage. Etienne is a ghost at all levels of the defense, hard to tackle and impossible to land a big hit on. He has an uncanny ability to stay on his feet and pick up extra yards. In the receiving game, he has excellent hands. He may be the best pure receiving back in the class that hasn’t changed positions. He is serviceable in pass protection, identifying correct responsibilities and having the desire to contribute in that area.

This is regular stuff from Etienne. The comparisons to Kamara are scary close.
Etienne slips through the line and sees his lane before it opens up for him.
Receivers regularly drop passes like this. Etienne can be used in a variety of ways for NFL offenses.

Cons

Etienne’s splash plays will come from broken tackles, not from his speed. He won’t run by defenses, but he will slice and bounce off of them. Four fumbles, three lost, is not ideal in a shortened CFB season for Travis Etienne. He will need to improve on that number in the NFL. Pass protection is not great for Etienne, but is an area he is steady enough to stay on the field for third downs in his rookie year if he can improve.

Things you want from a rookie running back: finding extra work in pass protection.

Overview

Travis Etienne may have gained some pounds and put up (relatively) disappointing pro day numbers, but nothing has changed in what makes him a special player. He is a fantastic read and react back that will wear defenses down with his ability to minimize contact. He has plenty of explosion at the first and second levels and will regularly rip off 15+ yard runs. He is a weapon and a chess piece at wide receiver, and can be used in the return game as well. Expect Travis Etienne to be a late first, or early day two selection next week.