There are many good running back prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Cam Skattebo should be included in that talented group of ball carriers.
Skattebo was the proverbial "Swiss Army Knife" for the Sun Devils of Arizona State in 2024. From the running back position, Skattebo rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns.
But as a receiver out of the backfield, Skattebo caught 45 passes for 605 yards and three more scores. Oh yeah, and he threw a touchdown pass in the playoff game against the Texas Longhorns.
One of the biggest breakout stars this season was Cam Skattebo of Arizona State. He ran for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season and in the Peach Bowl had 143 yards rushing, 99 receiving, 50 yards passing and 3 total TD's. pic.twitter.com/d2Xon30FQ3
— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) March 25, 2025
The productive 2024 campaign for Skattebo included eight games over 100 yards rushing, including in each of the final four games of last season.
In addition, Skattebo posted a season-high 262 yards on 33 carries in a win over Mississippi State. Skattebo was held out of the end zone against the Bulldogs, one of only two games in 2024 that Skattebo did not score at least one rushing TD.
With that said, here are a few reasons why it makes sense for Sean Payton and the Broncos to draft Skattebo. First, a pass-catching running back is coveted by NFL teams. Secondly, Skattebo has a nose for the end zone, especially in the red zone. Skattebo scored multiple rushing touchdowns in a game eight times last season.
And finally, Skattebo is a bruiser of a runner. His desire to make positive plays is undeniable. But his conditioning has been brought into question by the media recently, that he is on the bench sucking air in the fourth quarter. He can silence those critics in this way: in five games last season, Skattebo carried the ball 25 or more times.
Why Cam Skattebo?
Arizona State's entire offense.
Posted 2,300+ all purpose yards and 45 receptions in 2024.
1/3 RBs to post 1,700+ yards and 550+ receiving yards in a season per @ScottBarrettDFB
88.0 grade on NextGenStats (2nd Best) and posted 39.5" vertical at 220 pounds. pic.twitter.com/vnlKsWTx9H
— Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) March 22, 2025
By comparison, Skattebo reminds fans of former LSU standout Clyde Edwards-Helaire. In 2019, Edwards-Helaire rushed for over 1,400 yards and scored 16 TDs. But equally important, Edwards-Helaire caught 55 passes from Joe Burrow for another 453 yards and a touchdown.
As a result, the Broncos' division rival Kansas City Chiefs, selected Edwards-Helaire with the final pick of the first round of the 2020 draft.
As an offensive-minded guru, Payton is known to create mismatches against much slower defenders. In addition, he calls for screen passes and sweeps for his running backs. And, Payton plays to the strengths of his skill players.
All of this bodes well for Skattebo, who the Broncos could steal with a pick in the third or fourth round of the upcoming NFL Draft next month in Green Bay.
Related: Cam Skattebo Disrespected Once Again by NFL Draft Experts
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This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 12:07 AM.