In every single NFL Draft, there are players who are taken much later than they should be. Guys like Russell Wilson, Cooper Kupp, and Deebo Samuel were all drastically undervalued coming into the draft, but have turned into some of the best players.
The same thing will happen in the 2022 NFL Draft with a handful of players, including running back Pierre Strong Jr. The prospect out of South Dakota State University isn't particularly well known, but he's sure to be one of the biggest steals of this year's class.
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Strong enters the draft as a hugely overlooked player, partially because of his level of competition in college. South Dakota State University isn't exactly a football powerhouse, and that's dropping Strong down draft boards. However, his level of competition doesn't take away from his elite traits. He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, an impressive number for a 5'11”, 207-pound running back. His vision is among the best in this year's running back class. Strong's constant ability to make smooth cuts and find a running lane is incredible, and it should lead to immediate success at the NFL level.
Helping Strong is the nature of the running back position. Late-round backs often come into the league with the ability to start right away. Players like Damien Harris, Elijah Mitchell, and James Robinson all came into the NFL as late-round picks or undrafted players, and now they play prominent roles for their respective teams. Mitchell played at the University of Louisiana while Robinson played at Illinois State. Both of those are small programs, but both players were able to make an immediate impact in the NFL. Strong will have a similar effect on whatever team decides to take a chance on him.
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There are plenty of teams that are great fits for Strong. The Baltimore Ravens, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New Orleans Saints all stand out as potential landing spots. The Ravens are the ideal team for every running back, as the scheme surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson makes running lanes much easier to find. The 49ers have a similar situation, as coach Kyle Shanahan has proven himself to be one of the best offensive game planners in the NFL. The Saints aren't the best option, but they're one of the only teams in the league that could give Strong a big role right away. Star running back Alvin Kamara has always been better with a good complementary piece next to him, and Strong could fill that role right away.
All three of those teams should be more than willing to spend a late-round selection on a guy who has the potential to start as soon as he walks into the building.
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