Prospect Position Rankings
Offense
QB, RB, WR, TE, G, OT,C
Defense
DT, DE, LB, DB/FS/SS
Special Teams

What You Need to Know
Over the last eight NFL Drafts there have been 193 total running backs selected and amongst those 193 passers 12 have gone in the first round overall. That is an average of 24.5 per year running backs getting selected in the NFL Draft. The new era of NFL football has phased the running back position out of the first-round. For example, between 1980-87, 41 running backs were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Pass-catching is becoming equally important when running backs are entering the league. The league is a passing league, but this year we have seen the emergence of a big bruising back like Derrick Henry. It reminds me of the glory days of old watching the NFL growing up when the likes of John Riggins, Otis Anderson, Williams Andrew and Chuck Muncie were running the ball. Hopefully that trend continues with more big backs doing there thing in the National Football League.

Last 8 NFL Draft’s
Year / Total / 1st Round
2019 – 25 running backs selected with one in the 1st Round
2018 – 21 running backs selected with three in the 1st Round
2017 – 30 running backs selected with two in the 1st Round
2016 – 26 running backs selected with one in the 1st Round
2015 – 22 running backs selected with two in the 1st Round
2014 – 22 running backs selected with zero in the 1st Round
2013 – 26 running backs selected with zero in the 1st Round
2012 – 21 running backs selected with three in the 1st Round
Total – 193 running backs selected with 12 in 1st Round

Top 1st Round Conference’s Over Last 8 NFL Draft’s (Running Backs)
5 – SEC
3 – BIG-10
2 – Mountain West
1 – ACC
1 – PAC-12
Five overall conference’s that have produced 12 1st Round running backs last 8 years

2020 Running Back Prospects

1. D’Andre Swift

Georgia
SEC
Height 5’09” Weight 215
Last Three Bulldogs running backs drafted
2018 – Sony Michel Round 1
2018 – Nick Chubb Round 2
2016 – Keith Marshall Round 7

Game Notes – Dart like quickness. Love the way Swift carries the football. The change of direction with his power only boasts his overall abilities for a running back at the next level. Defenders cannot take him down with a leg tackle and has the speed to separate. Reminds me of Clinton Portis in a lot of ways. He is lethal running inside or out. Georgia has a solid track record of late with solid caliber NFL talent. Swift should be another Bulldog in line for a good NFL career.

2. Jonathan Taylor

Wisconsin
BIG-10
Height 5’11” Weight 221
Last Three Badgers running backs drafted (Not including fullbacks)
2015 – Melvin Gordon Round 1
2014 – James White Round 4
2013 – Montee Ball Round 2

Game Notes – Taylor shows good patience and times it right when bouncing the run outside. Provides a good stiff arm when running the football and is effective inside. Knows how to get small in traffic and display the burst needed for six-points. Speed to go the distance and not be caught. Trouble with Wisconsin is the Badgers are exceptional at running the football. Melvin Gordon or Montee Ball? It is a tough task in knowing which one Taylor will end up being closer too at the next level.

3. Travis Etienne

Clemson
ACC
Height 5’10” Weight 200
Last Three Tigers running backs drafted
2017 – Wayne Gallman Round 4
2016 – Zac Brooks Round 7
2013 – Andre Ellington Round 6

Game Notes – Etienne is going to be the last top notch running back we see with Clemson playing LSU in the title game. He possesses smarts. He plays with a knowledge and wisdom about his game. He is clever when riding the back of his offensive line before making his move up field. That knowledge appears at the line of scrimmage as well. He is crafty and see the field very well. Incredible balance to keep the play alive, which coincides with him sometimes looking like he is running wildly. He may look off balance but he is just progressing the football in every motion possible.

4. J.K. Dobbins

Ohio State
BIG-10
Height 5’09” Weight 217
Last Three Buckeyes running backs drafted
2019 – Mark Weber Round 7
2016 – Zeke Elliott Round 1
2014 – Carloes Hyde Round 2

Game Notes – Two things about Dobbins. The first is sometimes I think he is the best running back in the class. Secondly, sometimes I see him running untouched for six or sevens every carry more or less and wonder how that will translate at the next level. Built low to the ground with an ideal NFL frame, he ping-pongs off defenders. Displays soft hands and agile feet. Overall he has all the tools that translate into a real weapon in the NFL.  

5. Cam Akers

Florida State
ACC
Height 5’11” Weight 210
Last Three Seminoles running backs drafted
2017 – Dalvin Cook Round 2
2015 – Karlos Williams Round 5
2014 – DeVonta Freeman Round 4

Game Notes – Truth be told I always fall for Seminoles running backs. Truth be told I’m usually let down by their NFL careers. Dalvin Cook has bucked that trend but none the less for me it is buyer beware when eyeing up Akers. Unlike Dobbins from Ohiot State, Akers did play in an offense more indicative of how things will shake up at the next level. Akers shows he is a determined and very tough runner. He loves and knows how to execute a stiff arm. May not have the quickness like the other above but might be a better runner in the trenches.

6. Kylin Hill

Mississippi State
SEC
Height 5’11” Weight 215
Last Three Bulldogs running backs drafted
2015 – Josh Robinson Round 6
2012 – Vick Ballard Round 5
2010 – Anthony Dixon Round 6

Game Notes – Possesses a muscled-up frame. He is a strong powerful type runner. The type of guy who drags defenders and will hit you before you hit him. Hill was a reliable and productive options in the passing game. Runs angry and I like that in a back. A day three guy but has day two talent. 

7. Ke’Shawn Vaughn

Vanderbilt
SEC
Height 5’09” Weight 215
Last Three Commodores running backs drafted
2013 – Zac Stacy Round 5
1980 – Frank Mordica Round 12
1960 – Tom Moore Round 5

8. Eno Benjamin

Arizona State
PAC-12
Height 5’09” Weight 201
Last Three Sun Devils running backs drafted
2018 – Kalen Ballage Round 4
2014 – Marion Grice Round 6
2008 – Ryan Torain Round 5

9. Trey Ragas

Louisiana-Lafayette
Sun Belt
Height 5’11” Weight 227
Last Three Ragin Cajuns running backs drafted
2016 – Elijah McGuire Round 6

 

10. Najee Harris

Alabama
SEC
Height 6’0” Weight 227
Last Three Crimson Tide running backs drafted
2019 – Josh Jacobs Round 1
2019 – Damien Harris Round 3
2018 – Bo Scarbrough Round 7

11. Raymond Calais

Louisiana-Lafayette
Sun Belt
Height 5’09” Weight 180
Last Three Ragin Cajuns running backs drafted
2016 – Elijah McGuire Round 6

 

12. Larry Roundtree III

Missouri
SEC
Height 5’10” Weight 210
Last Three Tigers running backs drafted
2015 – Marcus Murphy Round 7
2005 – Damien Nash Round 5
1998 – Ernest Blackwell Round 7

13. Patrick Taylor

Memphis
AAC
Height 6’3” Weight 223
Last Three Tigers running backs drafted
2019 – Darrell Henderson Round 3
2019 – Tony Pollard Round 4
2006 – De’Angelo Williams Round 1

14.Elijah Mitchell

Louisiana-Lafayette
Sun Belt
Height 5’11” Weight 221
Last Three Ragin Cajuns running backs drafted
2016 – Elijah McGuire Round 6

 

15.Jaqwis Dancy

LA-Tech
C-USA
Height 5’10” Weight 194
Last Three Bullodgs running backs drafted
2018 – Boston Scott Round 6
2016 – Kenneth Dixon Round 4
2005 – Ryan Moats Round 3

16.Zack Ross

Utah
PAC-12
Height 5’10” Weight 222
Last Three Bullodgs running backs drafted
2017 – Joe Williams Round 4
2016 – Devontae Booker Round 4
2006 – Quinton Ganther Round 7

Game Notes – Awkward runner but none the less a sensational runner. His stutter step and ability to stop on a dime in impressive. Maybe the best in the class. Compact smaller frame and knows how to use that for leverage when lowering the boom to gain tough yards. Seldomly goes down at first contact and always falls with a forward lean.

17.AJ Dillon

Boston College
ACC
Height 6’0” Weight 245
Last Three Eagles running backs drafted
2014 – Andre Williams Round 4
2002 – William Green Round 1
1999 – Mike Cloud Round 2

Game Notes – Massive NFL frame (Brandon Jacobs type mold), solid thick build from top to bottom (Thick hips), thick thighs runs with good power, has a durable frame, shows some elusiveness in traffic, 61-yard touchdown (showed speed on the run he wasn’t getting got against Pitt), straight line speed is there, but it is a buildup type speed, solid in pass pro and it helps he has that size.

18.Scottie Phillips

Ole Miss
SEC
Height 5’08” Weight 216
Last Three Rebels running backs drafted
2018 – Jordan Wilkins Round 5
2010 – Dexter Williams Round 2
2005 – Rick Razzano Round 7

19.Benny Lemay

Charlotte
C-USA
Last three 49ers running backs drafted
None

 

 

20.Anthony McFarland

Maryland
BIG-10
Last Three Terrapins running backs drafted
2019 – Ty Johnson Round 6
2011 – Da’Rel Scott Round 7
2004 – Bruce Perry Round 7