Khalil Herbert 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Khalil Herbert

Position: Running Back

College: Virginia Tech

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 204 lbs

Overall Rank: No. 194 overall

Position Rank: RB15

Strengths: A one-year wonder in the Virginia Tech program, Herbert transferred in after earning his degree from Kansas. Herbert is a one-move, curvy runner, with a knack for a subtle lean in the open field that allows him to steadily chew up yards as defenders try to track him down. Possessing good enough thickness and above-average competitive toughness, he’s willing to mix it up in pass protection and can handle downhill runs in between the tackles. Herbert’s vision is fantastic and allows him to recognize spacing as it develops in the moment. More importantly, he’s a decisive runner that doesn’t stutter but can create plans on the fly and hits it with full speed.

Weaknesses: Herbert largely wins with effort and tenacity, but lacks any true top-tier trait. That’s not to say he can’t be an effective back at the next level, but he’ll have to consistently have clean vision or risk not having enough other talents to fall back on when things don’t work out. While Herbert doesn’t shy away from contact in pass protection, he’s average-at-best and relies on attitude. NFL linebackers are alphas also and Herbert will have to continue building a pass protection skillset that doesn’t rely on simply trying to bully others. While Herbert has good enough speed at all levels, he’s not particularly shifty and will struggle to avoid tackles in the open field when defenders square him up.

What I Love: Herbert is decisive and uses great vision to identify vertical seams in the run game. 

NFL Comparison:

Grade: 60/100

Position Specific Traits:
(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Agility: +
Ball Security: +++
Blocking: +
Contact Balance: +
Hands: +
Power: +
Speed: +