*Our RB grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, leaked Wonderlic test results, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available.

*We use the term "Power RB" to separate physically bigger, more between-the-tackles–capable RBs from our "Speed RBs" group. "Speed RBs" are physically smaller, but much faster/quicker, and less likely to flourish between the tackles.

Kendre Miller had racked up a 1,399-yard (2022) season with 17 rushing TDs as he was helping his team jump out to big lead against Michigan in the CFB playoffs…and then, mid-playoff game, he was tackled on a running play with his leg trapped at a weird angle and he came limping off the field…season over…sprained knee.

Not only 'season over' but unable or self-restricted in participating in any of the draft workout events (Combine nor Pro Day). A twisted knee at the wrong time cost Miller a chance to play in the CFB title game AND has lost him draft stock because he cannot get numbers out there to show his athleticism (or lack thereof).

However, there's a late breaking revival of Miller's draft stock. Teams are sniffing around him (bringing him in for visits) hard in April as a potential huge value in the draft due to the falling draft stock for no real reason, per se.

With no Combine or Pro Day data, and his late spurt of draft stock interest in the league -- I set out to take a deeper look and try to tighten up my projections on his measurables and see what kind of prospect we really had here.

After watching a bunch of his 2022 work, I would say -- Miller's not a bad RB prospect at all, kinda interesting. Not great, but better than most of this class. Not elite at any one thing, but good at most everything…his lack of flaws and good assize (5'11"/215) pushes him up the ladder of RB prospects in this class.

Miller does not have elite or breakaway speed, but he is fast enough. He has good acceleration and is shifty, hard to tackle/capture because he's short-space elusive/slippery. What makes his 'good'/OK movement skills even better is his awareness as a runner -- he's a very patient, good sensing/reading of holes runner…he reads the situation and shoots through the opportunity like a veteran runner. He's a 'professional' runner. He's not a highlight reel runner -- Miller will kill you with a thousand paper cuts, as a runner.

I thought, on tape, Miller reminded me of a version of Dalvin Cook, but I like our computer comps too/even better -- all guys who were very competent in college and then went onto the NFL and were competent there right away. Guys like Sony Michel, Joshua Kelley, Cam Akers, and Elijah Mitchell. If Miller is like them -- he's gonna work in the NFL, and he's gonna end up starting at some point.

Miller also has underrated hands in the passing game. He's a much better receiving back than I thought at first. He would rotate out some on 3rd-downs for relief/a break and for protection/blocking…so, Miller didn't catch a ton of passes but when he was targeted, he made catches, and some nice grabs on misfired passes or throws into traffic.

I like Miller's run style, toughness, vision, hands and off-field character. He's a good 'C+' RB for the NFL…and a C+ landing in a good spot and getting forced or pushed into a starter's role for whatever reason -- could be an NFL 'B' if he stays healthy and holds the job. He can be a three-down back if needed, but he probably won't be seen that way…injury to others would have to force it.

By not really having any flaws, Miller is by default one of the best RB prospects in this (weak) 2023 class.

Kendre Miller, Through the Lens of Our RB Scouting Algorithm:

 -- A career 6.7 yards per carry average…4th-best in Big 12 history (since 1996).

 -- Led the NCAAs in yards per carry at 7.5 ypc in 2021 season (on 83 carries).

 -- 12 or more carries in a game 15 times in his CFB career…and he's run for 100+ yards in a game in 10 of those 15 games.

 -- Scored at least one TD in 14 of his last 15 CFB games…only failing to score in the Michigan playoff game he left early in.

2023 Projected Measurables:

5'11.1"/215 (Combine)

9 3/8" hands, 32 3/8" arms

40-time: 4.50 +/-

10-yd split: 1.50-1.55

Shuttle: 4.25 +/-

Three-cone: 7.0 +/-

Bench: 16-20 reps

Vertical: 36"-38"

Broad Jump: 10'+

The Historical RB Prospects to Whom Kendre Miller Most Compares Within Our System:

When I went to run the comps, Bijan Robinson and Israel Abanikanda popped up as strong comparables…but I don't put same year comp guys into the table. I wanted to mention that because Miller is approx. the same size as Bijan…but is more the runner people think Bijan is -- Miller is more shifty, slippery, and can accelerate better than Bijan. I'd say Miller is likely to get smaller/play smaller and sleeker in the league where Bijan looks like he can get +5 pounds of muscle and play a stronger (stiffer) style.

I love all these comps…all 'professional' and/or successful (to varying degrees), some underappreciated RBs -- I think Miller could/will fit in that role.

*A score of 8.50+ is where we see a stronger correlation of RBs going on to become NFL good/great/elite. A score of 10.00+ is more rarefied air in our system and indicates a greater probability of becoming an elite NFL RB.

All of the RB ratings are based on a 0-10 scale, but a player can score negative, or above a 10.0 in certain instances.

Overall rating/score = A combination of several on-field performance measures, including refinement for strength of opponents faced, mixed with all the physical measurement metrics—then compared/rated historically within our database and formulas. More of a traditional three-down search—runner, blocker, and receiver.

*RB-Re score = New/testing starting in 2015. Our formula/rating that attempts to identify and quantify a prospect's receiving skills even deeper than in our original formulas. RB prospects can now make it/thrive in the NFL strictly based on their receiving skills—it is an individual attribute sought out for the NFL, and no longer dismissed or overlooked. Our rating combines a study of their receiving numbers in college in relation to their offense and opponents, as well as profiling size-speed-agility along with hand-size measurables, etc.

*RB-Ru score = New/testing starting in 2015. Our formula/rating that attempts to classify and quantify a RB prospect's ability strictly as a runner of the ball. Our rating combines a study of their rushing numbers in college in relation to their offense and strength of opponents, as well as profiling size-speed-agility along with various size measurables, etc.

Raw Speed Metric = A combination of several speed and size measurements from the NFL Combine, judged along with physical size profile, and then compared/rated historically within our database and scouting formulas. This is a rating strictly for RBs of a similar/bigger size profile.

Agility Metric = A combination of several speed and agility measurements from the NFL Combine, judged along with physical size profile, and then compared/rated historically within our database and scouting formulas. This is a rating strictly for RBs of a similar/bigger size profile.

2023 NFL Draft Outlook:

Miller is tracking just outside the top 100 overall in consensus mock drafts. He's sneaking into some top 100 mocks of late. I think he's got a chance to sneak in the top 100, taken ahead of Tank Bigsby and Tyjae Spears, possibly…but safest bet on an RB like this is day three/4th-round.

NFL Outlook:  

Will be a productive, useful NFL RB if/when he gets the chance. He's likely going to be drafted to be behind an established starter or be part of a 'group' -- so, we don't know when he'll get a chance to shine/lead a backfield. His NFL future is going to be determined on landing spot and circumstance ahead. He can play…it's just -- when will his NFL team play him?