Alabama running back Kenyan Drake may have been overshadowed by Derrick Henry last year, but he's a talented NFL prospect in his own right. The Miami Dolphins are banking on his potential, selecting him with the No. 73 overall selection in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Kenyan Drake drafted by Dolphins in third round
The Dolphins added an athletic running back, taking the other Alabama running back in round three.
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Drake was a four-star recruit out of Powder Springs, Georgia, joining Alabama in 2012. Despite his strong measurements and athletic upside, he never got a chance to become a true feature back at Alabama, playing second fiddle to workhorses such as Eddie Lacy, T.J. Yeldon and Henry. Injuries didn't help Drake, who missed time with a broken leg and broken forearm. In 2015, Drake recorded just 77 rushing attempts for 408 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the limited playing time, Drake did shine in the few opportunities he was given. He starred as a kick returned in 2015, taking a kickoff 95 yards to the house in the National Championship Game against Clemson.
As a runner, Drake is a good athlete with top-level speed, running a 4.45-second 40 at the NFL Combine. He has good burst at the second level and quick footwork, capable of making defenders look silly in the open field. The kick returner experience will make him a versatile asset for the Dolphins.
However, Drake is a bit undersized (6’1, 210 pounds) to be an every-down back and has a history of injuries in college, suffering a broken leg and broken forearm. He doesn’t have great hands and is prone to drops, which could limit his value in the passing game.
Drake will probably be a change-of-pace back in the NFL, just as he was at Alabama, but the playmaking ability is there, and he should be a solid role player at the next level.
Miami hasn’t hid its interest in upgrading at running back and was rumored to be a team that could even trade for a player at the position. After losing Lamar Miller in free agency, the Dolphins will pair Drake with 2015 fifth-round pick Jay Ajayi, who is more a bruising style back to complement the more athletic Alabama product.
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