Zonovan Knight NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running back
Height: 5’-11”
Weight: 209 lbs.
School: N.C. State
Zonovan Knight NFL Draft Profile
Zonovan “Bam” Knight packs a punch at the line of contact and can carry defenders with him. He makes it a fight anytime a defender meets him face-to-face. Yet, he does not do much else in the running game. Zonovan Knight is a late-round NFL Draft prospect for a team with the need for a nasty running back in-between the tackles.
Pundits once touted Knight as a top running back prospect. However, his inability to progress in his third-year style wise. He never impressed with the dynamics NFL teams were looking for. In 2020, he ran for 745 yards with 10 touchdowns. In 2021, he ran for 753 yards and three touchdowns. He also impressed as a returner, which may bump him slightly up in the draft, finishing with three return touchdowns over the past two seasons on 923 yards.
Strengths
- Confronts front-line defenders with urgency
- Stands up to tackles and can carry defenders
- Agile in pass-catching and kick-return situations
- Has the ability to see in-between tackles; does not lose vision in the backfield
- Upside on special teams with ability to change the flow of a game
Weaknesses
- Does nothing special out of the backfield; serviceable in only certain roles
- Not a pass-protector
- Does not break past tacklers in the second-level
- Has fumbling issues
- Slower 40-yard dash time
NFL Comparison: Bernard Pierce
Teams With Need at Position: Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants
Projection: Round 7
Bottom Line on Zonovan Knight
Zonovan Knight is a back who does not do a lot for NFL teams. His running play does not give pause for defenders. While he can carry defenders, he cannot break away from defenders. Teams will likely only use Knight in short yardage situations. While he has the power, there is not enough body of work that shows potential for growth. He also has a 2020 shoulder injury that may give pause for concern. The team who selects Knight might be more impressed with his versatility on special teams than solely the running game.
However, while Knight is not an exciting runner, he can benefit a team in short-yardage situations. Ideally, Knight can serve as a powerful kick and punt returner, and impress a team in training camp enough to land on a roster. From there a team can work with him to improve carrying in goal line situations. The most immediate issue is his fumbling, which will turn off most teams from taking a flier on him. For this reason, Knight may fall out of the NFL Draft entirely and land on a roster in post-draft free-agency.
Knight has potential to be a contributing running back if he finds a chance to shine in training camp. Some prospects certainly have lower floors; Knights’ fundamental problems has more to do with the lack of what he brings rather than problems with his fundamental running traits.
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