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2020 NFL Draft preview: Best backs running from college to the NFL
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Spotlight AP

2020 NFL Draft preview: Best backs running from college to the NFL

From the Everything you need to know for the 2020 NFL Draft series
  • By Eddie Brown, The San Diego Union-Tribune
  • Apr 20, 2020
  • Apr 20, 2020 Updated Apr 23, 2020

Who are the top running backs in the 2020 NFL draft? Here are the top 10, plus a few more.

Eddie Brown, a sports writer for the The San Diego Union-Tribune has covered the NFL Draft for over a decade. Here are his picks for top running backs.

1. Jonathan Taylor (Jr., Wisconsin, 5-foot-10, 226 pounds)

1. Jonathan Taylor (Jr., Wisconsin, 5-foot-10, 226 pounds)

Two-time Doak Walker Award winner (best running back) and unanimous All-American. Taylor is comparable to Saquon Barkley. He was an accomplished prep track athlete (won back-to-back state titles in the 100 meters). He's sixth on the FBS all-time rushing list (6,174 yards). Number of collegiate touches and ball security (18 career fumbles) could cause him to slip into the second round, but it shouldn't. Projected: 1st or 2nd round

Andy Manis

2. D'Andre Swift (Jr., Georgia, 5-8, 212)

2. D'Andre Swift (Jr., Georgia, 5-8, 212)

Swift features elite speed and balance. He's a threat as a receiver and enthusiastically handles his responsibilities in pass protection. Projected: 1st or 2nd round

John Amis

3. J.K. Dobbins (Jr., Ohio St., 5-9, 209)

3. J.K. Dobbins (Jr., Ohio St., 5-9, 209)

Only two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin ran for more yards (4,459) in Columbus. Dobbins is a home-run hitter with elite vision and open-field elusiveness. Projected: 1st or 2nd round

Rick Scuteri

4. Cam Akers (Jr., Florida St., 5-10, 217)

4. Cam Akers (Jr., Florida St., 5-10, 217)

Dynamic talent who produced at a high level despite a below-average offensive line and quarterback play the last three seasons. Akers was the No. 3 overall player in the 2017 recruiting cycle. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round

Bill Sikes

5. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Jr., LSU, 5-7, 207)

5. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Jr., LSU, 5-7, 207)

Athleticism lags behind other top backs in this draft class, but he's dynamic in the passing game and a quarterback's friend in pass protection. He also steps it up in biggest games (four of his seven 100-yard rushing performances were vs. top-10 ranked teams: Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Auburn). Projected: 2nd or 3rd round

John Bazemore

6. Antonio Gibson (Sr., Memphis, 6-0, 228)

6. Antonio Gibson (Sr., Memphis, 6-0, 228)

More receptions in college than carries, but he's an explosive play waiting to happen. Gibson scored 14 touchdowns on only 77 offensive touches and was second in the FBS as a senior with seven plays of 50-plus yards (two rushing, five receiving). Projected: 3rd to 5th round

Butch Dill

7. A.J. Dillon (Jr., Boston College, 6-0, 247)

7. A.J. Dillon (Jr., Boston College, 6-0, 247)

Highly-productive workhorse (Eagles all-time leading rusher) who wins with elite size, strength and straight-away speed. Dillon doesn't offer much as a receiver or in pass protection. Projected: 4th or 5th round

Mary Schwalm

8. Zack Moss (Sr., Utah, 5-9, 223)

8. Zack Moss (Sr., Utah, 5-9, 223)

Moss is a bruising playmaker (16 plays of 25-plus yards in 2019) with a strong stiff arm. There's every-down potential if his medicals stay clean. He has dealt with knee, ankle and shoulder issues the past four seasons. Projected: 2nd to 4th round

Rick Scuteri

9. Darrynton Evans (Jr., Appalachian St., 5-10, 203)

9. Darrynton Evans (Jr., Appalachian St., 5-10, 203)

Lightning in search of thunder. Evans is equal parts complimentary back and slot receiver with track speed. Potential impact kick returner at the next level (averaged 25.7 yards per return with three career touchdowns). Projected: 3rd to 5th round

Brett Duke

10. Ke'Shawn Vaughn (Sr., Vanderbilt, 5-9, 214)

10. Ke'Shawn Vaughn (Sr., Vanderbilt, 5-9, 214)

Decent pass catcher and blocker, but he shines in the playmaking department. Vaughn scored eight touchdowns of 60-plus yards the last two seasons (most in the FBS). Projected: 3rd to 5th round

Mark Humphrey

Best of the rest

Lamical Perine (Sr., Florida, 5-11, 216)

Physical playmaker who is an asset in the passing game (as a receiver and blocker). Third-down back is his floor. Projected: 4th or 5th round

Anthony McFarland Jr. (So., Maryland, 5-8, 208)

McFarland wins with dynamic speed and agility. He strings together moves like choreographer. Scouts will appreciate the amount of tread left (Slightly over 500 total touches in college and high school combined). Durability is a concern. Projected: 4th to 7th round

Joshua Kelley (Sr., UCLA, 5-11, 212)

Kelley showcased his all-around potential during Senior Bowl week. He's a worthy steward of the football (only three fumbles on 492 total touches as a Bruin). Projected: 3rd to 5th round

Eno Benjamin (Jr., Arizona St., 5-9, 207)

Capable three-down option who was the first Sun Devils player since the mid-70s to surpass a thousand yards rushing in back-to-back seasons. Projected: 4th to 7th round

In this Series

Everything you need to know for the 2020 NFL Draft

  • Updated Apr 23, 2020
    When is the 2020 NFL Draft? Times, broadcast information and draft order
  • Updated Apr 23, 2020
    Six-round 2020 NFL mock draft: Who will your favorite team take?
  • Updated Apr 23, 2020
    NFL Combine results: Dig deep into the data
  • 13 updates
  • Previous
  • Next

Related to this collection

Everything you need to know for the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything you need to know for the 2020 NFL Draft

Get ready for the 2020 NFL Draft with broadcast info, player profiles, mock drafts, combine results, draft history and more.

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