Clemson football: Travis Etienne first NFL home is starting to become clear

Former Clemson football quarterback Trevor Lawrence is going to be the first pick in the NFL draft Thursday night – but what about his backfield teammate, running back Travis Etienne?

Etienne is seen as the most dynamic running back in the draft and given what he accomplished leading Clemson football over the last four years which should not come as a shocker to anyone. While Alabama’s Najee Harris is good – he isn’t Travis Etienne.

However, over the last several NFL drafts, we have seen running backs drop further and further down draft boards. In 2020, only LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire was taken in the first round and he was the last pick of the first round by the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs.

Clemson football has been a pipeline for two AFC teams over the years

We all know that Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders love former Clemson football players. Their roster is loaded with several former Tigers on both of the balls.

However, there is another AFC team that loves Clemson football players as well – the Buffalo Bills.

Since the 2010 NFL Draft, the Bills have drafted seven former Tigers – C.J. Spiller, Sammy Watkins, Shaq Lawson, Jonathan Meeks, Tony Steward, and Ray-Ray McCloud. Apparently, general manager Brandon Beane really likes Travis Etienne and what he brings to the table.

Recently, Beane made this statement about what they are looking for in a running back –

"“What does his skill set have in comparison to what we have on the roster? Is this player going to do something … I don’t think either one of our backs are home run hitters, so is there an elite trait that this guy has and says, ‘Man, he’s got something we don’t have.’"

According to Pro Football Focus, Travis had 2,571 rush yards after contact over the last three seasons, which led all FBS running backs and he is by far the most dynamic running back in this draft in both the run and passing games.

If that doesn’t scream HOMERUN hitter, then nothing does.

The Bills have the 30th overall pick in this year’s draft. Hopefully, Travis will be able to join Lawrence in the first round – something he has the talent to do.