According to Next Gen stats, recorded during the 2016 season by NFL.com, Howard reached the second highest top speed of any running back last year. Only Tevin Coleman of the Falcons recorded a top speed higher than Howard who reached 22.03 MPH for a 57-yard run against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Howard finished that game with 118 yards and a 7.4 yards per carry average. Elliott, Howard’s default draft day comparison, didn’t even make the list of the top 20 fastest speeds of this past season.
Does this mean Howard is faster than Elliott? Not exactly.
Does this mean Howard is much faster than almost everybody thought during the 2016 draft? YES. Everybody except Ryan Pace.
Not only were all the GM’s fooled who passed on Howard, his draft profile actually says he’s a “one-speed runner” which couldn’t be more inaccurate based on the top speed stat.
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WEAKNESSES
Doesn’t have sudden one-cut ability and has to tap brakes to hit it downhill on outside zone runs. One-speed runner. Can be chased down by backside sprinters before getting to the second level. Takes big hits due to bruising running style. Scouts concerned about ability to stay healthy. Missed four games and parts of three others with knee and ankle injuries. Upright pads and narrow base leads to slips and balance issues when trying to make sharp cuts. Rarely factored into passing game at UAB or Indiana.
It’s now abundantly clear Pace bamboozled everyone after getting what appears to be an elite talent in the fifth-round of the draft. Chicago fans will look for that same foresight as they prepare to select third overall in 2017, their highest pick since 1972.
