This is The Game Day’s Travis Etienne NFL Draft 2021 Prospect Profile. After you read our Travis Etienne Scouting Report, check out our full 2021 NFL Draft Guide and Marcus Mosher’s first 2021 NFL Mock Draft for Rounds 1-3.
Travis Etienne NFL Draft Prospect Profile
Travis Etienne: Measurables
- School: Clemson
- Class in Final Season: Senior
- Age on NFL Draft Day: 22 Years
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Weight: 210 lbs.
Travis Etienne: Scouting Report
Strengths
- Explosive runner with excellent contact balance
- Elusiveness allows him to make big plays in the open field
- Strong receiver with solid route-running ability
- Elite production against tough competition
Weaknesses
- Needs to improve in pass protection
- Unlikely to handle a full workload given mediocre size
- Played in a stacked offense at Clemson, which may have elevated his production beyond his abilities
- Vision as a runner needs some development
Travis Etienne NFL Outlook
Etienne capped off his Clemson career with another good season, putting up 914 rushing yards (5.4 YPC) and 14 touchdowns with 48 receptions for 588 yards and two touchdowns.
He is an explosive runner with strong receiving skills. His excellent contact balance allows him to shake off defenders and gain yards after contact. Etienne can make defenders miss in the open field and take it to the house.
While Etienne likely won’t be able to function as a three-down back, his receiving skills make him ideal for the modern NFL game. He needs to improve his pass protection. This deficiency could keep him off the field at some points during his rookie season.
Etienne would thrive playing with a pocket passer who likes to target his running back in the passing game.
Travis Etienne NFL Comparison
Alvin Kamara: Etienne has similar measurables to Kamara. Both running backs have good speed with the ability to defenders miss in the open field. They also have the after-contact balance to break tackles.
Etienne was able to pick up chunk yardage on screen passes, just like Kamara does with the New Orleans Saints. Kamara was able to reach his ceiling by playing with Drew Brees.
Etienne’s stats would benefit from playing with a similar quarterback with limited mobility because those passers tend to target their running backs more often.
Travis Etienne 2021 Draft Team Fits
New York Jets
The Jets desperately need to inject some explosiveness into their skills group, especially at running back. 37-year-old Frank Gore led the team in carries last season. Etienne would provide Zach Wilson with an elusive back who can rack up check-down receptions and gain yards after contact.
The Jets can use their second-round pick (34th overall) to lock in their new starting running back.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons need to find an upgrade over Todd Gurley, who is a shell of his former self and cannot be relied upon going forward.
The addition of Etienne would make this an explosive offense that already includes wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.
The Falcons pick early in the second round (35th overall), which puts them in prime position to select Etienne.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins’ rebuild has surpassed expectations and this team looks poised to be a contender for the next few years. They need to add some more playmakers to this offense to help sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa develop as a passer.
While Myles Gaskin had a solid rookie season and Salvon Ahmed showed some potential, neither provides the explosiveness that Etienne would bring. Etienne also could share the load with Gaskin, giving the Dolphins a solid 1-2 punch at running back.
Travis Etienne NFL Draft Prediction
Round 2, Pick 36 overall: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins opted to pass on last season’s talented running back class, but now that they’re established as playoff contenders, they’re in fine position to invest in a high-upside runner like Etienne.
I don’t think that there’s a clear-cut top running back in this class, so it’s unlikely that one will be selected in the first round. The Dolphins have the fourth pick in the second round, giving them a good chance to land Etienne. They’re also stacked with picks, so if they need to move up to select him, they’ll be able to do so rather easily.
Travis Etienne NFL Draft Bets
Etienne is currently listed at +160 to be the first running back drafted on BetMGM. This is a solid value because Etienne is a superior pass-catcher to Najee Harris, who is the favorite to be the first back off the board. NFL teams put a premium on receiving ability for their running backs, so this is a nice price.
I would also monitor the situation to see if any sportsbooks come out with a prop on whether a running back will be selected in the first round in this year’s draft.
Last season, Clyde Edwards-HelaiEre was taken 32nd overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. I don’t think that any of the teams picking at the end of the first round have a significant need at running back besides the Bills at 30. I can easily see Etienne falling past Buffalo, which would make him a virtual lock for the second round.
Now that you’ve read our Travis Etienne Draft Prospect scouting report, stay tuned after the 2021 NFL Draft for his impact on betting lines, odds and tips for his likely NFL team.
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