Kenny McIntosh among draft's top available pass catching backs per NFL expert
Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh is among the many talented, available ball carriers in the 2023 NFL Draft come Thursday. With the likes of Bijan Robinson possible a first round pick, plus Jahmyr Gibbs on the board, McIntosh is far from the top back. However, if you turn on the tape, he does bring a certain skillset to the table that not every back does in this year’s deep draft class.
“When you’re looking at the running back position, it’s interesting. I wish Kenny would have run faster. He ran in the 4.6s. He’s a similar type of player to Tony Pollard coming out, but he just doesn’t have the juice that Tony Pollard had,” NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah said.
McIntosh finished as Georgia’s leader in rushing yards this past season with. 829 yards on 150 carries. He converted that into 10 touchdowns, tied for the team-high with Stetson Bennett. Furthermore, McIntosh also managed to finish third on the team in receiving yard with 504 on 43 catches, good for a pair of scores. Needless to say, he was the Bulldogs’ best option out of the backfield in 2022.
McIntosh waited his turn at Georgia, sitting behind the likes of James Cook and Zamir White throughout his career. He’s not going to shy away from walking into a situation where he’s not the No. 1 back. Still, he’s got a skillset that’s capable of contributing right away in the NFL.
“He’s one of the best pass catching backs. I think he’s going to be a Day Three guy,” Jeremiah continued with his comments. “I think in this group where we have so many backs, it’s so deep and talented, I’d put that mark probably around the fifth round, about the range where he hears his name called. Really good with the ball in his hands and excellent in the passing game.”
Last year, an NFL Draft record 15 players out of Georgia were picked including five first rounders. This year, McIntosh is one of 13 available Bulldogs in the draft that starts next Thursday. Others include quarterback Stetson Bennett, wide receiver Kearis Jackson, tight end Darnell Washington, offensive linemen Broderick Jones, Warren McClendon and Warren Ericson, defensive lineman Jalen Carter, outside linebackers Nolan Smith and Robert Beal, defensive backs Kelee Ringo and Christopher Smith and kicker Jack Podlesny.
Coverage of the draft begins on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from Kansas City. The first round takes place Thursday night with the second and third rounds on Friday and the final four rounds, round four through seven, taking place on Saturday. All three days of the 2023 NFL Draft can be seen on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
