NFL Draft Profile: Michigan RB Kalel Mullings

Kalel Mullings’ collegiate career ended with a stellar 2024 season, and he’ll be looking to hear his name called in the NFL Draft. @WoodsFootball has a scouting report on Mullings.

Kalel Mullings’ journey at Michigan was a fascinating one to track from start to finish. Mullings arrived in Ann Arbor as a linebacker but would convert to running back midway through his third year at Michigan. It wasn’t until his fifth and final season at Michigan where he became a lead back, a season in which 79% of his career carries came, rushing for 948 yards and six rushing touchdowns.

Combine Results (didn’t perform in drills)

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 226

Age: 22

Pros

• Put the team on his back and greatly aided Michigan’s victories over USC and Ohio State, rushing for 159 yards and two scores against USC and 119 yards and one touchdown versus OSU
• Plays with physicality, is hard to take down, and can gain yards after first contact
• While he’s a bruiser of a runner first, Mullings does have the agility to make defenders miss
• Has experience returning kicks and as a defender on special teams
• Determination and hard work led to Mullings transitioning from a LB to a RB, eventually surpassing Donovan Edwards on the depth chart for RB1 duties

Cons

• Only a one-year sample size of starting RB production. Had only 50 career carries prior to last season when he had 185.
• Likely doesn’t have breakaway speed in the NFL
• Not much of a pass-catcher, with just eight career receptions
• Pass blocking, while not bad, can improve

Do Your Homework

Mullings turns a tackle for loss into a huge gain against Ohio State in the 4th Quarter

A huge run on Michigan’s game-winning drive over USC

Great change-of-direction TD run

A clutch catch in the Rose Bowl

Conclusion

Mullings might not be the fast or a name being talked about in as deep of a running back class as there has been in years, but he shouldn’t be counted out either. Not many thought Mulings would have a more productive year in 2024 than Donovan Edwards, an NCAA College Football 25 cover athlete. Coincidentally, Mullings and Edwards are ranked in a similar spot by CBS , with Mullings ranked at No. 169 overall NFL Draft prospect and Edwards ranked at No. 184. Mullings could be drafted anywhere in the fifth round to the seventh round and despite it being an uphill battle for him to stick around in the NFL, teams will like his physicality as a runner and his special teams prowess.