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2017 NFL Draft: North Carolina Tar Heels best fits

By Brandon Griffin

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) pumping his team up before facing the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) pumping his team up before facing the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) returns a kickoff for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) returns a kickoff for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Backfield Weapon

Position: Running back

Measurements: 5-foot-9 and 1/2, 196 lbs

Last Season: Rushed 120 times for 650 yards and seven touchdowns. Also caught 29 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, returned 21 kicks for 690 yards and two touchdowns.

What is needed: Logan needs to find a team that utilizes its running backs in the passing game. It would also benefit Logan to land on a team where he could be a value on special teams.

A team with a young quarterback who may need a safety valve out of the backfield might also be a good fit for Logan.

Best Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angles Rams, San Francisco 49ers

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles currently have a player similar to TJ Logan in veteran Darren Sproles. However, Sproles is 33 and that is an age when running backs tend to slow down. But don’t tell that to Sproles, who had his most receiving yards last season since joining the Eagles.

Logan would be a great future pick for the Eagles. He could start off by taking special teams duties from Sproles. He could then take over in a season or two when time and age eventually catch up to the older back.

The Eagles also have a young quarterback in Carson Wentz. Logan would be a great fit to grow with the young signal caller in forming that core. The Eagles would likely use the 139th overall pick on Logan if they were interested in him.

Los Angeles Rams: Like the Eagles, the Rams also have a young signal caller in Jared Goff. Goff could also use a safety valve like Logan in the backfield.

Additionally, the Rams new coach Sean McVay, likes using running backs in the passing attack. At Washington last season, running backs caught 66 passes for 498 yards and two scores. Current Rams running back only had 43 receptions for no scores.

Logan would also be a good change of pace for the Rams from the bigger Gurley, similar to what UNC did this season with Logan and Elijah Hood. The Rams would likely select Logan with the 141st pick, late in the fourth round.

San Francisco 49ers: Like the Rams, new 49ers head coach Kyle Shannahan likes to use running backs in the passing game. Last season with Atlanta, Shannahan’s top two running backs combined for 85 catches, 883 yards, and five touchdowns.

San Francisco’s top running back, Carlos Hyde, meanwhile only had 27 receptions for 163 yards and three scores. Hyde is also injury prone, so Logan would be a good change of pace at running back and help keep Hyde healthy with fewer touches.

San Francisco doesn’t currently have a quarterback of the future, but that could change in this draft or next. Having a good young back like Logan would go a long way in helping that young gun develop.

The Niners have the 143rd overall pick in the fourth round. That is probably a likely spot if they were to pick Logan.

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