Kenny McIntosh NFL Draft Profile
Position: Running back
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 204 lbs
School: Georgia
2023 NFL Draft: Kenny McIntosh Scouting Report
Kenny McIntosh played a secondary role at Georgia to the max, leaving the football philosophical question if a “second running back” is a “primary schematic role” mislabelled. McIntosh finished first in Bulldogs rushing at 829 yards, and tied for rushing touchdowns (10) on 150 carries. He caught 43 passes, which turned into 504 air yards. McIntosh played a versatile role throughout his time at Georgia, often to the glory of other backfield members, many of whom are now in the NFL (Zamir White and James Cook, among others).
Scouts may knock Kenny McIntosh for playing behind a near-NFL quality offensive line on the nation’s top collegiate team for two straight years. He did not display the top-form electricity to the cut that NFL scouts search for. Yet, he is a physical runner and demolishes those who stand in his way. He is the kind of running back who may not stand out to fantasy players or non-team fans, but he will catch linebackers and defensive lineman off guard. His career in the NFL, if successful, will be defined by the phrase ‘hard to tackle’.
Strengths
- A force to reckon with down field; powerful
- Capable pass blocker
- Improved every season at Georgia, refining game with top coaches and now-NFL teammates
- Lack of injuries despite hard-nosed running style
- Electric pass catcher; can open downfield with runs after the catch
Weaknesses
- A poorly performed, 4.62’ 40-yard dash time
- Concerns over athleticism translating to NFL field
- Needs to see field develop more; likely needs to work with capable offensive line
- Does not possess breakaway speed
- Penalty prone in pass blocking with faster edge rushers
NFL Comparison: Austin Ekeler
Teams With Need at Position: Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers
Projection: Fourth Round
Bottom Line on Kenny McIntosh
Versatility is how commentators and scouts have defined Kenny McIntosh in the draft process. Escaping from that description of McIntosh is rather hard, as that versatility and dual-role threat is what makes his draft stock a late day-two versus a day-three valuation. A lack of injuries and a physical running style also assist McIntosh constantly searching for new running backs.
However, on the negative side of things, the fact Kenny McIntosh seemingly only has a dual-threat role valuation going for him is of major concern. Questioning if he was not a capable pass-catcher is a bit disingenuous since it is what makes McIntosh sign, but the thought-exercise does raise serious questions over how versatile his role in a running game might be. Is a running back who operates almost exclusively as a pass-catcher with limited running roles worth selecting on day two of the 2023 NFL draft?
Specifically of concern is McIntosh’s approach to the line of scrimmage. If he hit holes with more conviction (or felt them evolve) he would be a day-one running back. Instead, his top running plays might be behind him while his best pass-catching days are ahead of him. Given, however, that he has a powerful running style, he is going to be a force to reckon with in secondaries. He is not easy to tackle from a physical point, and once a screen-play or swing passing route places him in the secondary, less than foundational tacklers will bow to Kenny McIntosh. His role in the NFL could still be important to a developing championship roster, making him an exciting fit on the right squad.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
