Top Running Backs In 2020 NFL Draft

1.Wisconsin RB Johnathan Taylor – Junior – 5-10, 226 – 4.39

Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor – Photo by: Getty Images

Taylor was a workhorse in Madison for the Badgers and his production was off the charts. When postseason awards were handed out, Taylor saw his named called often, including winning Big 10 Running Back of the Year, first team All-American and the Doak Walker winner two years in a row after posting back-to-back 2,000 seasons. Taylor’s two-year rushing total was third-best in the history of the NCAA, just behind former Badgers runner Melvin Gordon and Iowa State running back Troy Davis. Taylor’s combination of size and speed make him an ideal candidate to immediately come in and have an impact. Taylor, who had an informal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine, did fumble 15 times in three years and NFL teams will want to see an improvement in that area, but there aren’t many other flaws in his game outside of his lack of opportunities in the passing game.

2. Georgia RB D’Andre Swift – Junior – 5-8, 212 – 4.48

Besides his obvious skill set as a running back, Swift might be the most natural and instinctive runner in this year’s draft. His ability to run inside or outside while also reading his blocks and opposing defenses makes him likely a Day 1 starter in the NFL. Add in his 4.4 speed and Swift might be the best overall back coming out in 2020. Ball security is really his only concern as Swift, who had a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine, has put the ball on the ground on occasion. But if he is able to improve that and avoid the nagging injuries that bothered him at times in Athens, Swift has the makings of one of the better rookies in all of this year’s class. He posted back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and totaled 73 catches for 666 yards and a touchdown for the Bulldogs while averaging nine yards per reception.

3. LSU RB Clyde Edward-Helaire – Junior – 5-7, 207 – 4.6

LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Photo by: Getty Images

Edwards-Helaire appears destined to be the next great back to enter the NFL from LSU. While his career numbers might not stack up with the others, his ability to be an all-purpose back makes him very attractive to NFL teams looking for a do-it-all type of back. Edwards-Helaire ran for 1,415 yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries (6.6 per) last season helping LSU to an undefeated national championship title. Edwards-Helaire, who had a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine, is also a very good receiver and caught 55 passes for 453 yards and one touchdown while also averaging over 21 yards as a kickoff returner. Edwards-Helaire might not be a burner but has enough speed and quickness to get to the second level and make guys miss and also runs with good vision.

4. Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins – Junior – 5-9, 208 – N/A

Dobbins actually edged out Johnathan Taylor for Big 10 Running Back of the Year honors in 2019 where be carried the ball 301 times for 2,003 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry and racking up 21 scores on the ground. Dobbins is a one-cut runner and doesn’t waste a lot of time bobbing and weaving. He isn’t necessarily a home run hitter, and has been described as more of a lunch pail type back. Dobbins is also one of the better pass protection blockers at his position in this year’s draft and isn’t afraid to mix it ups with a blitzing linebacker, making him a great candidate for a three-down back in the NFL. Dobbins can also catch the ball out of the backfield and averaged 10 yards per reception at Ohio State.

5. Utah RB Zack Moss – 5-9, 223 – 4.65

Moss is related to Santana and Sinorice Moss, and the talent is clearly in the blood of the Moss family. Moss originally committed to Miami but ended up choosing Utah where he went on to have an outstanding career where he ran for over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons for the Utes. Moss is also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield and had 28 receptions for 388 yards and two touchdowns last season to go along with his 15 rushing touchdowns and 1,416 on the ground. Moss doesn’t shy away from contact, in fact tends to initiate it more often than not. He runs violently and without fear. Moss might not take it 80 yards to the house with his average speed, but can get you all 80 yards on a drive with his running ability and his hands as a receiver.

6. FSU RB Cam Akers – Junior – 5-10, 217 – 4.47

Florida State RB Cam Akers – Photo by: Getty Images

Don’t mistake Akers for former FSU back Dalvin Cook, but that doesn’t mean Akers won’t be an impact back at the next level. Running behind college football’s worst offensive line over the last two seasons, it was up to Akers to find any sliver of a hole and exploit it. Beside being a very good runner, Akers totaled 69 receptions for 486 yards and seven touchdowns in three years at Florida State, and also took snaps as a wildcat QB for the Seminoles. He totaled 27 touchdowns on the ground, including 14 as a junior. Akers, like Moss, doesn’t shy away from contact and enjoys finishing runs by punishing defensive backs and linebackers. He had a formal interview with Tampa Bay at the NFL Scouting Combine.

7. Anthony McFarland Jr. – Junior – 5-8, 208 – 4.44

McFarland has been held back by injuries over his career thus far, and started seven of 11 games last season for the Terps while dealing with an ankle sprain that slowed him down. He still managed to score eight touchdowns on the ground, rushing 114 times for 614 yards. McFarland has above-average speed and quickness and Ohio State fans remember him in 2018 when he had runs of 81, 75 and 52 yards in that game. While his 2018 season was better as he stayed healthier, McFarland still has a ceiling according to many scouts who think he can improve on his pass blocking and consistency.

8. Appalachian State RB – Darrynton Evans – 5-10, 204 – 4.41

Evans is a blazer and despite playing at a small school his speed and production has caught the attention of NFL front offices. Evans was the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year last season after finishing in the Top 10 nationally after rushing on 255 times for 1,480 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Evans’ versatility as a kick returner also has made him more attractive at the next level and has had a kickoff return for a touchdown the past two seasons. While not possessing ideal size to take the pounding of the NFL, Evans should easily transition as change-of-pace back for teams, or play in third down packages due to his willingness to stick his nose in things when defenses blitz.

9. UCLA RB Joshua Kelley – Senior – 5-11, 212 – 4.49

Kelley only played two seasons at UCLA, but both saw him eclipse the 1,000 mark, including in 2019 when he had 229 carries for 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kelley runs fearlessly and isn’t afraid to be the first to make contact. He runs harder that his 212-frame would suggest. At the next level he would be better served trying to make guys miss as opposed to bulldozing them over if he wants to last a while in the league but teams love his agressiveness and toughness he showed while at UCLA

10. Miami RB DeeJay Dallas – Junior – 5-10, 217 – 4.58

Miami RB DeeJay Dallas – Photo by: Getty Images

A dislocated elbow cost Dallas part of his final season at Miami, but he still led the Hurricanes in rushing in 2019 with 693, averaging six yards a carry and scoring eight TDs. After a turnover-plagued sophomore season Dallas did not fumble once in 2019. He also added 14 receptions for 140 yards and two scores as a receiver out of the backfield. Dallas adds the versatility of being a returner as well and was exceptional at that with Miami, returning four kicks for scores in his Hurricanes career.

Best Of The Rest

11. Boston College RB A.J. Dillon – Junior – 6-0, 247 – 4.58

Dillon burst onto the scene at Boston College as a true freshmen where he earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors rushing for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns. Dillon went over the 1,000 mark each of his next two seasons, including 1,685 in 2019. He is built like a tank and runs like one too, and some have compared him to former Steelers great, Jerome Bettis. Dillon often wore teams down in college, and by the fourth quarter few wanted to see his 247 pounds get to the second level. Dillon was a workhorse at BC and has some wear on the tires from the sheer workload for the Eagles, but could still be a featured back in the league.

12. Illinois State – James Robinson – Senior – 5-9, 219 – 4.64

Despite coming from a small school, Robinson’s production at Illinois State will get him drafted later this month. And that production was exceptional as he led the FCS with 364 carries, finishing second with 1,917 rushing yards (5.3 average), and sixth with 18 rushing touchdowns. With just 4.6 speed Robinson won’t wow you breaking off long touchdown runs but could find a spot as backup as he becomes more comfortable playing better competition.

13. Florida RB La’michal Perine – Senior – 5-11, 216 – 4.62

Perine stared all 13 games for Florida and while he wasn’t a star at any one particular thing he did everything well. Perine was the Gators’ best and most productive running back last season carrying the ball 131 times for 677 yards and had six rushing scores. He was also among the Gators’ top receivers nabbing 40 receptions for 262 receiving yards and five more scores. Perine is a high-motor, high-character player with a strong work ethic. While maybe not as gifted as some of the other backs, he will work as hard, or harder than the players ranked ahead of him.

14. Memphis RB Patrick Taylor – Senior – 6-1, 217 – 4.57

Memphis RB Patrick Taylor, Jr. – Photo by: Getty Images

Taylor and 2019 draft pick Darrell Henderson teamed up to be a great duo in 2017 and 2018, and complimented each other well. Taylor’s best season came in ’18 when he had 214 carries for 1,122 yards and 16 touchdowns. A ankle injury cost him a large chunk of his senior season and he finished with just 78 carries for 350 yards and five scores. Taylor has good size and can move a pile but doesn’t always run with authority, something NFL general mangers and front offices want to see more of. He’s a good receiver out of the backfield and excels in pass protection.

15. Arizona State RB Eno Benjamin – Junior – 5-9, 207 – 4.57

Benjamin was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection last season after rushing 253 times for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns plus adding 42 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. While not the most disciplined runner in the draft, Benjamin had a knack for improvising, sometimes at the dismay of his coaching staff. More often than not it worked for the best as evidenced by his 1,400 combined yards last season.

16. Vanderbilt RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Senior – 5-10, 215 – 4.51

Vaughn had two back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons after transferring to his home state from Illinois. In 2018 Vaughn ran for 1,244 yards and 12 scores on 157 carries then last season put up 1,028 yards with nine touchdowns to go along with 28 receptions for 270 yards. Vaughn has prototypical NFL size but can run stiff at times and doesn’t have much wiggle.

17. South Carolina RB Rico Dowdle – Senior – 5-11, 213 – 4.54

While the production wasn’t close to some of the other top backs, scouts see a lot to like about Dowdle, including his vision which helps create separation, even without blazing speed. A lack of ball security is concerning as is the drops in the passing game. Both things that will need to improve if Dowdle wants to last in the NFL. Despite not being overly fast, Dowdle has plenty of burst and plays with good football speed.

18. Baylor RB JaMychal Hasty – Senior – 5-8, 205 – 4.55

Hasty was part of an offensive system at Baylor that overwhelmed teams at times. Unfortunately for Hasty he had to share the spotlight and load with a number weapons on offensive under then head coach Matt Rhule. Hasty started three games in 2019 and had 109 carries for 627 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 25 receptions for 184 yards. He also returned six kick returns for a 19.7 average. Hasty could find a place as a third-down back in the NFL and key special teams contributor.

19. TCU RB Darius Anderson – Senior – 5-11, 195 – 4.61

Anderson has good up-field speed thanks to above average footwork and an aggressiveness to his running style. This has made him a solid runner when he gets to the outside, and also is reliable in the passing game because of it. The problem with Anderson is that he has poor decision making and vision, often trying to improvise in his own way and bounce to the outside instead of following where the hole is in between the tackles. Anderson was a three-year starter who had a great sophomore year with 768 yards rushing yards, averaging six yards per carry and scoring eight touchdowns. After a brief dip in his number as a junior, Anderson came back with a strong senior year, rushing for a career best 823 yards at 5.5 yards per carry and six touchdowns. He even got to show more his receiving capabilities than any other season with 128 yards on 22 receptions.

20. UCF RB Adrian Killins Jr. – Senior – 5-8, 158 – N/A

MichiUCF RB Adrian Killins, Jr. – Photo by: Getty Images

Killins is a versatile back who is just as good of a receiver as he is a runner, as you can see from his 864 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns during his career. Killins lacks size at 5-foot-8, but he was a member of UCF’s track team, so he’s one the quickest backs that you’ll find in the draft as he ran an unofficial 4.31 40 time while getting recruited. Killins had a career best 7.2 yards per carry as a senior last season and rushed for 2,459 yards and 25 touchdowns over his four years in Orlando. He is also a dynamic return specialist, which should help his draft stock.

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