Washington Football Team: Four Day 3 RB targets to consider

Trey Sermon, Ohio State

Trey Sermon has the benefit of extra exposure via the College Football Playoff. Sermon raised his stock this postseason, running for 193 yards in Ohio State’s Sugar Bowl win over Clemson. Sermon’s season ended due to injury in the national title game, where he recorded one carry for two yards.

Of the running backs on this list, Sermon is the most consistent statistically. Unlike Evans and Herbert, Sermon played at a consistent level throughout his collegiate career. While not reaching the highs that Chuba Hubbard’s 2019 season hit, Sermon did not suffer major dips and fluctuations in yardage and in yards per run.

Sermon averaged between 5.8 and 7.5 yards per carry in his career, which includes three years at Oklahoma before transferring the Ohio State.

Sermon has respectable receiving statistics, with a peak of 15.1 yards per reception in 2018. In that same season, Sermon recorded 13 rushing touchdowns, making up half of his career total. The biggest statistical negative for Sermon is his lack of scoring aside from the 2018 season.

Measuring 6-feet and 215 pounds, Sermon has a prototypical running back build. He dazzled audiences in the playoff with his speed and ability to shake defenders, putting together a great rushing performance.

Graded as the sixth-best running back prospect on CBS, Sermon seems to have minimal deficits in his game and possesses the ability to progress to a steady contributor in an offense. Sermon appears to be the best option for Washington should the franchise choose to draft a running back on Day 3.

The most significant glaring issue is his injured shoulder, which held Sermon out of the Senior Bowl. Nevertheless, the Washington Football Team needs to be prepared to spend a fourth-round pick on Sermon if they see the former Buckeye in their future plans.

All in all, there is an array of running back options available late in the draft. With minimal draft capital spent, these picks have minimal risk with potential great benefit. These backs will look to follow the path of rushers like former Washington running backs Alfred Morris and Chris Thompson, who became steady contributors after being drafted in the fifth round or later.