Could the polarizing running back make sense for the Broncos in the draft?
One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the mid rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft is Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo. He is a 5’9”, 219-pound running back who is considered one of the more polarizing running backs in the draft.
Skattebo played a total of two seasons at Arizona State and is coming off a very productive year for them. During his two seasons with the team, he had 457 carries for 2,494 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns while adding 69 receptions for 891 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. This past year, he had 293 carries for 1,711 yards, averaged 5.8 yards per carry, and had 21 rushing touchdowns while adding 45 receptions for 605 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns.
Cam Skattebo AGAIN pic.twitter.com/Q1TcSYhncr
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 7, 2024
Player Profile
Cam Skattebo | Running Back | Arizona State
- Height: 5’9 1⁄2 inches
- Weight: 219 pounds
- Hands: 9 3/8 inches
- Arm Length: 29 7/8 inches
- Age: 23 years old
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.65 seconds (Pro Day)
- Vertical Jump: 39.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 10’3”
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- A well-built player with a compact build
- Viscious running style
- Low pad level and always keeps his legs moving through contact
- Gets a lot of yards after contact
- Great contact balance
- Shows good vision as he weaves through defenses
- Gets up to speed quickly and has good burst
- Plays with his hair on fire
- Excellent receiver who can be hard to bring down in open space
- Plays running back like a linebacker
Weaknesses
- Top speed and athleticism are lacking
- Serious ball security concerns (10 Fumbles over the past three seasons)
- Will his physical style translate?
- Violent running style could lead to injuries
- Needs to improve as a pass-blocker
What other analysts are saying about Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on RB Cam Skattebo
Carnage creator with a compact frame and elite contact balance. Skattebo can break through second-level tacklers and careen off of bodies for extended yards after contact. He reads his blocks quickly and is more elusive in the early stages of the run than he’s probably given credit for. He lacks top-end speed and will have to contend with bigger, better tacklers on the next level. Skattebo’s effectiveness as a receiver out of the backfield should add to his draft value. His physicality and edge should bode well for him as a complementary back with three-down value who is capable of helping an offense wear down the defense.
Final Thoughts
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo is one of the more polarizing prospects in this draft. Some people love him and would draft him in the second round, while others are completely against drafting him.
Personally, I am on the skeptical side of things. First, you have his lack of speed and athleticism. His 4.65 40-time at his Pro Day is not surprising and confirms what you see on tape. He lacks speed and athleticism and that could hinder his success in the NFL. Also, will his violent play-style translate in the pros? Despite being compared to Mike Alstott and Peyton Hillis at times, Skattebo is much smaller than both players. He’s smaller at 5’9″ and comes in at 220 pounds which is 30 pounds smaller than those two. So, you have to question if his violent and reckless play style will translate in the NFL where he’ll see bigger, stronger, and faster players each and every week.
The one trait that may make him enticing to Sean Payton and the Broncos is his pass catching ability. He was a weapon in the pass game in college and we all know Sean Payton loves involving his backs in the pass game.
His draft stock varies from person to person it seems but I wouldn’t draft Skattebo until day 3 of the draft. He lacks speed and athleticism, I’m unsure if his play style translates, and he has serious ball security concerns. If he was taken in the 5th round or later and paired with a higher draft pick, I would be okay with it. Otherwise, it’s an easy pass for me in what is a loaded and talented draft class.