Arizona State working again Cam Skattebo captured the eye of school soccer followers in all places with an exhilarating performance within the Solar Devils’ 39-31 extra time loss to Texas within the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Quite a lot of NFL entrance workplaces had been in all probability daydreaming about how he’d look of their offense.
Here is an early take a look at the 5 most closely fits for Skattebo within the NFL.
5. San Francisco 49ers
Skattebo would probably thrive in 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s working back-friendly offensive system.
Regardless of solely having 2023 Related Press Offensive Participant of the 12 months Christian McCaffrey for 4 video games, the 49ers are eleventh in dashing yards (2,025) and seventh in rush yards per try (4.7).
Jordan Mason (153 carries, 789 yards) and Isaac Guerendo (82 carries, 415 yards) have had sturdy seasons, and it is easy to check Skattebo discovering related success in the identical system.
He’d be priceless from a monetary perspective, too. San Francisco has a number of high-priced veterans on long-term offers to account for, together with McCaffrey, broad receiver Brandon Aiyuk, edge Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner. Tight finish George Kittle and wideout Deebo Samuel are getting into the ultimate 12 months of their contracts in 2025, and the Niners should additionally pay Brock Purdy — or one other quarterback.
4. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
According to Pro Football Reference, the Chiefs are twenty ninth in yards after contact (YAC) per rush try (1.6 yards). The bruising, hard-to-bring-down Skattebo might push them towards the highest of these rankings subsequent season.
Skattebo gained 4.1 yards after contact per rush try this season, per Pro Football Focus data. His 1,202 yards after contact rank third in FBS, trailing Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina working again Omarion Hampton.
3. Detroit Lions
With 2024 Professional Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions do not want Skattebo. However stylistically, is there a extra excellent match for Skattebo than in Dan Campbell’s hyper-aggressive offense? Most likely not.
Skattebo’s robust working would mesh completely with Campbell’s aggressive philosophy. The Solar Devils again has been glorious in short-yardage conditions. Per CFB Stats, Skattebo gained 28 first downs on 37 third-down carries with 1-3 yards to achieve (75.7 %). Skattebo picked up six first downs on fourth-down carries, the eighth-most amongst Division I working backs.
The Lions have tried 29 fourth-down conversions after failing to transform on third down 101 instances. Their 28.7 % fourth-down try price leads the NFL, and Campbell would have much more cause to go for it on fourth down with Skattebo on the roster.
2. Chicago Bears
The Bears have an NFL-low 9 damaged tackles on 405 dashing makes an attempt. Per PFF knowledge, Skattebo has pressured 102 missed tackles, solely trailing Jeanty for essentially the most in FBS.
Skattebo would fill an important offensive want whereas probably turning into quarterback Caleb Williams’ finest buddy. An improved dashing assault might take an unlimited pressure off of Williams and assist him dwell as much as his billing as 2024’s No. 1 general choose.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Coming into Week 18, the Bengals are final in rush YAC (521) and YAC per dashing try (1.5 yards). This season, Skattebo gained 70.2 % of his 1,712 yards after contact.
The Bengals are led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who’s having an MVP-caliber season. He’s 423-of-606 (69.8 %) for a league-high 4,641 yards and 42 touchdowns whereas solely throwing eight interceptions.
Cincinnati has extra urgent defensive wants, however Skattebo would nonetheless be a superb match for a Bengals crew that would use his toughness.
