Who are the running backs who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings
– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak
It’s a strong year for running backs with a whole lot of flash about to enter the league. There’s great value in the mid-to-late rounds, but there are more potential franchise-makers up top than last year.
From the college perspective, here are the top running backs in your 2020 NFL Draft, starting with the ones who’ll be in the mix, and then diving into the five who’ll actually matter over the next ten years of the pro football world.
BetMGM: bet on who’ll be the 1st Overall Pick …
15. Javon Leake, Maryland
Size: 6-0, 215
The Good: A big back with good all-around skills, he has a whole lot to bring to the NFL after not seeing a ton of work with the Terps and only producing in his final year. He averaged close to eight yards per carry for his career with 15 touchdowns in the last two seasons, with good quickness to go along with his pop.
The Not-So-Good: It would’ve been nice to have seen a little more speed at the combine. The 40 is hardly a be-all-end-all, but the 4.65 was a bit slow for a guy who plays a whole lot faster. He doesn’t bring a lot of pop for a player of his size.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a shot for the stars here. He only carried the ball 145 times in his career, and he’s got the upside to be used a lot more as a receiver. Throw in his abilities as a top-shelf kick returner, and he’ll find a role.
Projected Round: Fifth
14. Patrick Taylor, Memphis
Size: 6-1, 217
The Good: It’s a shame he was never able to get everything going last year. Devastating over his previous two seasons, he ran for 29 touchdowns and closed out his career with 2,884 yards. He’s all muscle, lean, and looks like he’s shot out of a cannon when he gets a shot to score. There’s just enough power to get the hard yard.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not going to be your No. 1 back. Fantastic as part of a rotation, he was almost always fresh and wasn’t much of a workhorse. Never able to get right with a nagging ankle injury, he wasn’t able to show off last year when it was supposed to be his time.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a reason to be a bit wary of Memphis backs – the system was able to generate a whole lot of home runs – but Taylor has the upside to turn into a productive part of a puzzle. Some guys just know how to score, and in a positive way, missing most of last year should send him to the NFL fresh.
Projected Round: Fourth
CFN in 60: 2020 NFL Draft Top 5 Running Backs
11. Joshua Kelley, UCLA
Size: 5-11, 212
The Good: One of the bright spots in the first two years of the Chip Kelly era, Kelley managed to battle through injuries, an inept passing game, and being the one guy that everyone keyed on to run for two straight 1,000-yard seasons. Rocked up, he’s got the body type, and he showed off the wheels with a sub-4.5 40 at the combine. He’s a tough guy who always gives a big effort, but …
The Not-So-Good: He takes a LOT of big shots. He’s got the speed and explosion to be a little shiftier, but instead he’s more of a power back who can set a tone, or he can get knocked around too much. He never seemed to be 100%, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He gutted it out time and again. There were long stretches when UCLA’s offense had absolutely nothing, but Kelley managed to produce over five yards per carry with 24 career rushing scores. There’s a shot he becomes a good starter for a short time, but he’s worth the pick for the upside that he really is a main man to carry an attack.
Projected Round: Fourth
12. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
Size: 5-10, 214
The Good: A tough back who was good at Illinois, and cranked up two 1,000-yard seasons after transferring to Vanderbilt. He ran for 21 touchdowns for the Commodores and wasn’t bad as a receiver. Built well, he’s great at battling for yards and he’s got more than enough speed to rip off big runs once he gets into the open field.
The Not-So-Good: There isn’t a whole lot of wiggle to his game. He’ll fight through tackles, but he’ll also take his share of big shots and might not have a long shelf life at the next level. Not all that smooth, there’s nothing all that pretty about his style, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s effective, and he gets the job done. Considering he ran for over 2,000 yards in his two seasons in the SEC behind a Vanderbilt line, he is more than proven. He’s a terrific all-around back who could be a sneaky-good mid-round starter.
Projected Round: Fourth
11. Anthony McFarland, Maryland
Size: 5-8. 208
The Good: A good pound-for-pound back who’ll always bring an honest thump, he also showed off the needed speed with a 4.4 at the combine. When he was right two years ago, he ripped off big run after big run – averaging almost eight yards per pop – in a 1,034-yard season. Last year he was banged up, but he still averaged over five yards per carry with eight scores.
The Not-So-Good: He’s built well, but he’s not big enough to push a pile. When he had an ankle problem, he’s not able to crank up the same flash. He didn’t catch the ball all that much, and he’s not going to be any sort of a workhorse at the next level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Think Devonta Freeman – the two have almost the exact same size and build, but McFarland is a bit more of a home run hitter. He’s a tough guy for his size, but his job will be to crank up the big plays in a rotation.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings Top Ten
2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings Top Ten
10. Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
Size: 5-9, 207
The Good: A pinball, he gained a reputation as a tough guy runner who managed to bounce off of defenders for touchdown after touchdown. He’s got enough speed to get by, but he’s not a home run hitter – he’s a quick back with the explosion to get through the line and always produce. He managed to run for over 2,700 yards with 26 touchdowns over the last two years, and he caught 77 passes. But …
The Not-So-Good: He ran the ball 553 yards and handled it a whopping 658 times. He was banged up a bit at times, but he was able to handle the work. However, there’s a lot of tread off the tires, and he took a whole lot of hits.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t get too into a twist about the big workload over the last two years. He’ll battle through everything, he doesn’t make mistakes, he’s ultra-reliable at hanging on to the ball, and he has huge upside as a force around the goal line. He’s not your normal running back, but that’s okay.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State
Size: 5-10, 203
The Good: Ultra-productive for the Mountaineers, he ran for close to 2,700 yards with 25 rushing scores over the last two years, and he caught 33 passes with six touchdowns.
He had the numbers, and then he showed off the raw tools at the combine with a blazing 4.4 and explosive leaps – he’s got the ability. More than that, he’s a good receiver, has a nose for the end zone, and is ultra-quick through the hole. At worst, he can be a great third down specialist.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not going to be able to pound away on anyone. There’s little power to his game, and he’s just okay as a blocker. If he’s not breaking off big runs, and if he’s not showing off flash as a receiver, he could struggling in part of the rotation.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s going to be a late-round find. While he’s not blazing enough to be Alvin Kamara, he’ll be a good all-around back who’ll blow up as a speed option in a rotation around a back who can provide the power.
Projected Round: Fifth
8. La’mical Perine, Florida
Size: 5-11, 216
The Good: Grind, grind, grind. If you’re looking for flash, you’ve come to the wrong place – more on that in a moment. He’s quicker than fast, can burst through a hole, and he’ll find a way to keep moving forward. Most of all, he’ll grind his way for yards and do the dirty work so the speed backs can shine in the rotation.
A solid four-year producer, he ran for 2,485 yards and 22 touchdowns – averaging five yards per carry – and caught 72 passes with 40 as a senior.
The Not-So-Good: You know what you’re getting in terms of burst. The 4.62 at the combine wasn’t that bad, but he’s not going to blast away on a whole lot of highlight reel runs. Style-wise, he’s going to get beaten up badly if he’s not getting rotational help.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s the type of back every offensive coordinator is going to want as a base runner who you can hand off to on first down and get 3-to-5 yards every time. There’s a dependability about him that’s going to earn him a job, and he could potentially rise up into a sneaky-good starter in the right offense.
Projected Round: Fourth
7. Zack Moss, Utah
Size: 5-9, 223
The Good: Very, very productive over his final three seasons, he closed out with three-straight 1,000-yard campaigns, over 4,000 rushing yards, and 41 total touchdowns. Able to catch a little, he was more than fine when used on third downs.
He’s got the bulk, the base, and the power to grind out yards, push through tacklers, and get the hard yards when needed. If he’s not the toughest top running back prospect in this draft, he’s close.
The Not-So-Good: He might have an NFL shelf life of a hiccup. While he’s quick, he’s going to take on lots and lots and lots of big hits. Handling the ball 778 times in college isn’t a plus when it comes to his style.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Yeah, he might only give you a few years before he hits a wall, but they could be really, really good ones. Put him out there, hand him the ball, and he’ll grind out production for you until he drops.
Projected Round: Third
6. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
Size: 5-7, 207
The Good: Super-tough, explosive, and able to burst through the line with one cut, he’s a small-but-thick back who never, ever gets knocked off his base. He’s a pinball who’s hard to find, makes himself small through the hole, and then … boom. He’s got the toughness to handle the work on the inside, but he’s able to stretch the field wide, too.
If it was possible to be a bit unsung in last year’s LSU offense, he did it. Joe Burrow was the star of the show, but Edwards-Helaire ran for 1,414 yards and 16 scores, and caught 55 passes. There’s three-down back talent and the ability to be a workhorse.
The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t bring a whole lot of pop, especially as a blocker. He’ll get tough and physical when he has to, but he’s not built to run over anyone. Being a home run hitter is overrated for an NFL running back, but he’s a whole lot quicker than fast.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s an interesting prospect who’s a bit different than all the top backs. There’s a chance he could be a three-down workhorse, there are no real knocks, and he’ll never fumble. So what’s the real issue? There isn’t one, other than he doesn’t quite fit the prototype.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings No. 5
2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings Top Five
5. AJ Dillon, Boston College
Size: 6-0, 247
The Good: The ultimate workhorse of college workhorses, he carried the Boston College offense for the last three years as one the nation’s premier power backs. Hand it off to him, and then hand it off again, and then again, and again, and again – and he kept on producing.
He got banged up, battered and bruised, and yet he still ran for 4,382 yards with 38 touchdowns and two receiving scores in his three years. Very big, he can punch out yards at the next level without a problem, and then came the combine.
4.5 in the 40, and a 41″ vertical. He’s got the athleticism to go along with the bulk.
The Not-So-Good: With 866 touches in three seasons, put him on an all-time tread-off-the-tires team. The only reason the count didn’t hit 1,000 is because he got hurt as a sophomore. Even though he’s a great athlete and can move, there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle to his game – he’s going to take more punishment.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: How long can he really hold up? Take the chance that he’ll be able to take the punishment and keep on producing. He’s the type of back that no one wants to tackle or deal with, and he’s as dependable as they come. So what if he’s not going to be able to last for ten years? He’s an NFL running back who can rock at a high level for anyone who drafts him.
Projected Round: Fourth
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings No. 4
4. Cam Akers, Florida State
Size: 5-10, 217
The Good: Very quick with good size and fantastic speed – he ripped off a 4.47 40 at the combine – he looks the part. Yet another Florida State player who’s out of central casting, he fought the good fight during a disappointing run for the program and continued to produce.
He finished with two 1,000-yard seasons in his three campaigns, ran for 2,875 yards and 27 touchdowns, and improved as a receiver as his career went on. All the tools are there to be an instant starter.
The Not-So-Good: Yeah, he didn’t get a whole lot of help, but there’s still a wee bit of a prove-it factor. It’s not fair, and it’s not right, but he was just okay for the Noles. He took a slew of big shots, was banged up a bit, and had a bit of a fumbling issue – he’ll have to get used to being a workhorse.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: A superstar prospect for the Seminoles, he had to operate by an awful offensive line and try to make due. He should be far better at the next level now that he’ll get adequate blocking. There was never a problem through the team’s issues, he kept on battling, and he showed off the character that coaches are going to love.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings No. 3
3. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Size: 5-9, 209
The Good: A do-it-all workhorse for the team over the last three seasons, he closed with a 2,003-yard campaign with 21 touchdowns – and he was still under-appreciated. For his career, he finished with 4,459 rushing yards, 38 touchdowns and caught 71 passes with five scores.
He’s got every club in the bag. He can generate power through the line, cuts on a dime, and has the long-distance speed to break off yards in chunks. While he’s not an elite receiver, he’s good enough to not have to come off the field.
The Not-So-Good: How much punishment can he take? He might be quick and athletic, but he takes a lot of big hits as a tough guy who never backs down. The moves are all there, and he can do everything right, but he might have to change up his style a bit to last.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Brilliant for the Buckeyes, he happened to be the star running back in the same backfield with Heisman-caliber quarterbacks. When it came to reliability and great production in big moments, he always came through. He might not be NFL perfect at any one thing, but he’s got elite starter potential.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings No. 2
2. D’Andre Swift, Georgia
Size: 5-8, 212
The Good: He never really busted out to become a national superstar, but he lived in the college world of the very, very good averaging 6.6 yards per carry with 2,885 career rushing yards and two scores.
He’s a flashy back who can dominate right out of the box at the next level, but he’s more than just a good runner with an NFL frame. He’s good enough to hold his own as a blocker, can catch, and best of all, he still has a lot of tread left on the tires. For a back of his caliber, 513 career touches aren’t enough to worry about.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not going to bring the power. He’ll blast away when he needs to, and he doesn’t shy away from a tough run, but he’ll need to be in a rotation with more of a thumper. More than some of the other top backs, he’ll need to work behind a good line – he’s not going to make a whole lot of his own yards – and he has to be a whole lot better at hanging on to the ball.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: The next great Georgia back in the NFL, he might not be in the Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Josh Jacobs category of franchise-makers, but he’s going to start, he’s going to produce, and he’ll be rock solid from the moment he hits the field.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings No. 1
1. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Size: 5-10. 226
The Good: As if running for over 2,000 yards in each of the last two seasons wasn’t enough – and coming 23 yards away as a freshman from going 3-for-3 – and if 50 career rushing touchdowns doesn’t give him the right entry on the resumé, and if his improvement as a receiver as a junior doesn’t add enough to the mix …
4.39.
The guy hit the combine and ripped off the fastest 40 time of all the backs. There wasn’t any real question mark about his speed going into the workout, but add that to all the other positives and he’s got star potential right out of the box.
Tough, able to handle a huge workload, and a pro’s pro at being able to know how to set up his blocks – he’s a Wisconsin running back, after all – he’s more than ready.
The Not-So-Good: Hang … on … to … the … ball. His 50 rushing touchdowns could’ve and should’ve pushed past 60, but he had to be taken out early in his career because of a strange fumbling quirk around the goal line. That was fixed last year, but a key cough up tuned into a big problem in the loss to Illinois. Yeah, he’s tough, and yeah, he’s durable, but he handled the ball 968 times in his three seasons.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Had he returned for his senior year and stayed healthy, he would’ve ended up breaking Ron Dayne’s NCAA all-time leading rushing record. He had to leave early, considering his body didn’t need another 300 touches in college. As if every other aspect to his game wasn’t great, he’s also got the smarts and character to be the ideal face of a franchise.
Projected Round: First
