The NFL Draft is almost here, and it’s time to talk about Diamonds in the Rough candidates for 2023. Guys to consider as โDiamonds in Roughโ are players who are productive beyond what is expected by their draft capital, usually players taken on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) of the NFL Draft.
In this series, I will discuss candidates to be this year’s Diamond in the Rough who can also wind up as useful fantasy players, like Isiah Pacheco or Darnell Mooney were. The next candidate is running back Aidan Borguet.
College Production
Playing at Harvard, Borguet ran for 1,170 rushing yards with 10 rushing touchdowns in 2022. He averaged nearly six yards per carry in his college career, leading the Ivy League in all-purpose yards his last season.
Aidan Borguet ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฑ. ๐ฅ
He powers his way to a 21-yard TD, his second of the game! He's up to 179 yards rushing. ๐
8:37 4Q | Harvard 28, Dartmouth 13
Watch Live on ESPN+https://t.co/LPmvG5QncU#GoCrimson #OneCrimson #HarvardDartmouth @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/rTHMgKgwbe
— Harvard Football (@HarvardFootball) October 29, 2022
Borguet is a bit stouter than most backs. He still amassed over 400 carries in his college career despite a cancelled COVID year. Never really used as a receiving back, Aiden Borguet totaled 12 receptions in his college career. He was more of Harvard’s power back, breaking tackles and getting the bulk of the backfield usage. Borguet’s play shows he has the scrappy, hard-nosed style that NFL coaches like to give downhill inside carries to.
Athletic Profile
Being a smaller back, Borguet’s athletic profile doesn’t immediately jump off the page. Where he does excel is strength and power. Borguet got 35 (100th-percentile) on the Bench Press and wrestled in high school as well. His mediocre 4.63 (37th-percentile) 40-yard dash shows speed is not Borguet’s game. At his Pro Day, he achieved a 36-inch vertical, higher than backs like Jahmyr Gibbs and Roschon Johnson. Rather than using speed, Borguet uses the power in his upper body and legs to create yardage and explosiveness.
Aidan Borguet of Harvard has that ๐in him. 35 reps on the bench press ๐ณ
Read about him in depth on the @rotounderworld Rookie Guide – his comparable players are ๐ฅ๐ฅ https://t.co/bPk9cmUVG5 pic.twitter.com/PNagG9SNs7
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) April 12, 2023
The high school multi-sport background (track and wrestling) benefits Borguet, even if his athleticism does not pop. Other stout RBs like JaMycal Hasty and Jaylen Warren (Cody Carpentier’s favorite comp for Borguet) have found roles in the NFL. With strength and power to produce burst, Borguet will find a role in the league.
Outlook
On PlayerProfiler’s Rookie Rankings, Borguet is the No. 16 RB. He ranks ahead of backs from bigger schools like Kenny McIntosh and Eric Gray. Borguet is likely not on your fantasy rookie draft radar just yet. Right now, he is a good flier to take with a late round rookie pick. Draft capital and team fit will change his positioning accordingly, but Borguet is a back to keep an eye on because opportunity will elevate his fantasy status.
Teams like the Bills, Dolphins, or Bengals would be nice fits for him to get touches. The Bills and Dolphins have average guys in their backfields that young fresh legs like Borguet’s can easily take over. The Bengals, even if Joe Mixon is under contract, can use Borguet as a power runner to balance out the overall Cincinnati pass game.
