Running Backs 1-10
D’Andre Swift, Georgia
Swift logged substantial playing time in each of his three years at Georgia, playing in 43 games across his college career. Listed at 5’9” and weighing 215 pounds, Swift showed the ability to be a three-down back, reeling off a nine-game stretch with at least double-digit carries in 2019, while also contributing 73 receptions across his three years at Georgia. Swift’s last season was his best from a volume perspective, finishing with 220 touches for 1434 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Fantasy Outlook
Swift has drawn comparisons to Alvin Kamara, both stylistically and statistically, which will quickly gain the attention of fantasy owners. Kamara finds himself in the perfect offense for a pass-catching running back, of course, so Swift’s contributions through the air may depend on who drafts him. Still, Swift’s versatility gives him major fantasy value, placing him towards the top of rookie dynasty drafts regardless of the team that chooses him.
What to Watch for
Swift likely doesn’t have a ton to prove at the combine. A lights-out performance could move him closer to the top-ten in the NFL Draft, while a disappointing performance could drop him to the early second round. But Swift has likely put enough on tape where the combine isn’t a make or break event for him.
Potential Landing Spots
Swift is generally viewed as a late first-round pick in the NFL Draft, and likely no worse than the 3rd running back off the board if not the first. Some common teams linked to Swift have been the Miami Dolphins, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Atlanta Falcons.
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
A 5’11”, 214-pound former high school track star, Taylor was a workhorse over his three-year career for the Badgers. Taylor amassed 926 carries for 6,174 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground across his three seasons, highlighting both his impressive durability and his potentially concerning workload. Taylor’s passing game work was non-existent over his first two seasons, but he chipped in 26 receptions for 252 yards and five touchdowns during his junior year in Wisconsin’s run-heavy offense. One knock on Taylor is his ball-security, fumbling 15 times at Wisconsin.
Fantasy Outlook
Taylor’s combination of top-end breakaway speed, proven workhorse ability, and the build to be a goalline back gives him the potential to be a fantasy star. With 300+ touches in each of his three years at Wisconsin, Taylor comes into the NFL with some wear on his tires. Some will argue this is a positive, as he has proven to be capable of handling a massive workload, while others will argue that his career could be shorter as a result. Ultimately, Taylor’s passing game work may determine whether he can reach elite RB1 status. But he looks fully capable of being an RB2 or higher in his rookie year.
What to Watch for
An explosive combine performance could shoot Taylor up NFL draft boards, as he has the potential to run an impressive 40 time. More important for fantasy purposes, however, might be Taylor’s performance in the pass-catching drills. Melvin Gordon had a similar lack of receiving work at Wisconsin but has shed that label in the NFL. A solid performance running routes and catching passes could ease some concerns and raise Taylor’s fantasy ceiling and floor.
Potential Landing Spots
Taylor is going off the board at the end of the first round or later in most mock drafts. He would seem to be a fit on a team that prioritizes rushing volume and establishing the run, but would make sense for any team with a hole at running back. Teams like the Dolphins, Falcons, and Buccaneers could be landing spots for Taylor.
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Yet another top-end running back exiting college before his senior year, Dobbins logged significant work in each of his three seasons for the Buckeyes. His total touches rose from 216 during his freshman year to 256 during his sophomore year and finally 324 during his senior year. The 5’10”, 217-pound running back was a capable receiver during all three of his years in Columbus, catching between 22 and 26 passes every year. Dobbins never missed a game at Ohio State and came through with big games against tough competition.
Fantasy Outlook
Dobbins’ pass-catching ability makes him an obvious early pick in dynasty rookie drafts. One potential concern is Dobbins’ pass protection ability, which scouts appear divided on. Similar concerns partially contributed to a slow start from Miles Sanders in 2019, so Dobbins will need to prove his ability early on to tap into his pass-catching ability on third downs. But this is mainly nit-picking, as Dobbins should be a versatile fantasy starter for years to come. He may not see the workload of a true between the tackles bell-cow, but his passing game ability will more than make up for that and Dobbins is a perfect fit in today’s NFL. His explosiveness and breakaway ability should cover for any potential lack of volume.
What to Watch for
Dobbins was an elite homerun threat out of the backfield at Ohio State, and it can be tricky at times to know how much of that should be attributed to the player or to the system. A dynamic combine performance could put any of those concerns to bed and set Dobbins up to challenge the rest of the class as the first running back off the board. Dobbins has proven himself numerous times against top-end competition, however, so the combine may not swing Dobbins’ stock as much as other players.
Potential Landing Spots
Dobbins looks to be a late first or second-round pick in the NFL draft, so his potential suitors are similar to the other elite running back prospects. Miami, Kansas City, Tamp Bay, and Atlanta could make sense as potential landing spots.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
Edwards-Helaire is a 5’9”, 212-pound versatile running back with impressive change of direction skills. After just 12 touches as a freshman and a lackluster 754 total yards on 157 touches as a sophomore, Edwards-Helaire exploded in his junior year. He caught 55 passes for 453 yards across 15 games while rushing for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries. Edwards-Helaire was also a kick returner all three years at LSU and only fumbled twice across his 439 career touches. There are some questions about his pass-blocking ability considering his size.
Fantasy Outlook
Edwards-Helaire appears to be more than capable of running between the tackles, but at 5’9” there is always the fear that an NFL team could peg him as just a third-down back. If he is drafted in the second or third round, that will likely mean that a team sees him as more than just a pass-catcher, so where he goes in the NFL draft will likely be important. Edwards-Helaire has the upside of a three-down pass-catching back, making him an intriguing fantasy target. He likely will be spelled more than a true workhorse back, but players like Austin Ekeler and James White have shown the ability to thrive on 40-60% of offensive snaps if needed. If he’s deemed to be just a third-down back, however, Edwards-Helaire will have a much lower fantasy ceiling.
What to Watch for
An impressive performance at the combine could help shoot Edwards-Helaire up draft boards. He doesn’t appear to have the top-end speed that the elite prospects do, but his burst and agility scores could be very impressive. NFL teams will no doubt want to see that Edwards-Helaire can hold up in the pro game, so his weigh-in and strength may be important to silence his critics. An unimpressive performance, however, could push him down into day three and increase the chances that he ends up as just a complementary piece in an NFL offense.
Potential Landing Spots
As a likely second or third-round pick, the usual suspects such as Miami or Tampa Bay make sense for Edwards-Helaire. His pass-catching ability would also be a fit in Kansas City at the end of the second round. Any team looking for a boost in the passing game could consider him, especially if he begins slipping in the draft.
Cam Akers, Florida State
Akers is generally lauded by Florida State fans for his hard work behind three years of terrible offensive line play as one of the team’s few bright spots. The 5’11”, 212-pound running back was highly regarded out of high school and showed his versatility at Florida State with 69 career receptions across 36 games while also frequently lining up in the wildcat. Akers says he played most of his sophomore year with a sprained ankle, which would partially explain his disappointing second year. Akers’ final season saw him total 1,369 yards and 18 touchdowns on 261 touches across 11 games.
Fantasy Outlook
Akers’ fantasy stock could be altered drastically depending on when he is drafted and by which team. He should be versatile enough to contribute on the ground as well as through the air, and Akers seemingly could fill the role as a goalline back as well. He looks to be at his best when he has a full head of steam, so like most running backs, a good offensive line may be key for his potential. He’s most likely a late-first or second-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
What to Watch for
Akers will be hoping for a big combine to distinguish himself from the second tier of running backs. The combine will be his chance to shine outside of his poor supporting cast at Florida State and could solidify him as a fantasy asset. A disappointing week, however, could see Akers slide past the third round of the NFL draft and plummet down fantasy draft boards.
Potential Landing Spots
Akers could likely find a home on any team as a backup. Outside of the typical running back needy teams, Akers could also fit as a depth piece on teams like the Lions, Jets, or Eagles, among others.
Zack Moss, Utah
Moss is a physical tackle-breaker at 5’10” and 222 pounds and has enough skills in the passing game to be more than a one dimensional back. Moss finished out his senior year at Utah with his best season to date, rushing for 1,416 yards on 235 carries while catching 28 passes for 388 yards. Moss missed three games with injury in 2016 and another five in 2018 due to a meniscus injury, and Moss is the first running back on this list with four years of wear and tear at the collegiate level.
Fantasy Outlook
At 22, Moss is an older prospect compared to many of the other running backs, and he has a physical style that could lead to injury. But he also has the type of game that could attract teams that want to feed him the ball in a workhorse role, so he certainly possesses fantasy potential. He could make an impact from day one in the right situation, though he may not have as long of a career as some younger running backs.
What to Watch for
Moss played against lesser competition in the Pac-12 as compared to some of his running back competition, so the combine is a chance for Moss to show that he can match up to his peers athletically. Fighting for positioning among the second tier of running backs, Moss could see his draft stock swing based on his workouts.
Potential Landing Spots
Moss appears to be a second or third-round pick at the moment and is probably battling Cam Akers for the attention of similar teams like the Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Falcons. He sure has the style that would be a fit with the Seahawks, though they may be reluctant to spend more draft capital at the position.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
Vaughn is an older prospect after beginning his career at Illinois in 2016. He played two seasons in Illinois before transferring to Vanderbilt and redshirting for a year. Vaughn ripped off 7.9 yards per carry his junior year before falling back to earth last year, where he averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 198 attempts. Vaughn did increase his passing game usage, setting career highs with 28 receptions for 270 yards in 2019.
Fantasy Outlook
Vaughn will be 23 years old before the start of the 2020 NFL season, so he’s several years older than many prospects in this class. Vaughn saw double-digit carries in 11 of 12 games his senior year, so the 5’10”, 210-pound back appears capable of shouldering a decent load. He was capable as a receiver and did not lose a fumble in his career. Vaughn could easily slip in the draft and end up drafted as a depth piece, which would obviously hurt his fantasy prospects. But if he gets in the right situation, Vaughn has enough speed to make him an intriguing second or third-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
What to Watch for
Playing for an overmatched Vanderbilt team, Vaughn can use the combine to stand out among the mid-range running back prospects. Vaughn showed a nice combination of speed and strength and could jump higher up draft boards with a good performance in those drills.
Potential Landing Spots
Vaughn could be a fit for any team looking to add depth at running back in the third through fifth rounds. The Texans don’t have many draft picks, but with two in the fourth round and one in the fifth, they could make sense for Vaughn. Otherwise, Miami, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay make sense as teams typically linked to drafting a running back.
La’Mical Perine, Florida
Perine was not given a massive workload during his four-year career at Florida, topping out at 172 touches his senior year and never quite reaching 1,000 yards from scrimmage in any one season. After totaling 32 receptions during his first three years, Perine popped with 40 receptions across 13 games during his senior year, though his yards per reception plummeted to 6.6.
Fantasy Outlook
The 5’11”, 218-pound running back finds himself fighting a large group of running backs hoping to go in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. Perine’s pass-catching ability and solid all-around play makes him an intriguing fantasy flyer in the third round of dynasty rookie drafts, though he may not be a dynamic athlete with a high ceiling. Still, Perine’s 40 receptions during his senior year are worthy of our attention.
What to Watch for
Perine is not seen as a dynamic athlete despite his plus receiving ability, so some positive combine scores could make teams take a second look. There is some thought that Perine could be utilized better as a pro than he was in Florida’s offense, and that he has room for growth as well. The combine is Perine’s chance to show his potential for a different offense.
Potential Landing Spots
Perine will likely be drafted in the third round or later of the NFL Draft, meaning that he will likely be drafted by a team looking for a complementary piece that can help in the passing game. Teams like Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Miami are potential destinations.
Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
Benjamin logged big workloads in both his sophomore and junior seasons with 2018’s 335 touches for 1,905 yards standing out as his best year. The 5’9”, 195-pound back didn’t shy away from contact, and his 77 receptions over the past two years shows his versatility. Benjamin’s yards per carry did drop to 4.3 in 2019, but he also posted the best receiving totals of his three-year career. Benjamin is shifty, showing impressive cutting and hurdling ability.
Fantasy Outlook
There’s a good chance that Benjamin ends up as a change of pace back or passing game specialist, as NFL teams will certainly have questions about his size. We’ve seen running backs like James White and Chris Thompson have serious fantasy value as pass catchers, but Benjamin will need to land on the right offense to unlock that potential. Benjamin showed that he can handle a big workload, so he may not be exclusively used in the passing game, but he probably isn’t a three-down player in the NFL. He’s likely a third-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
What to Watch for
Benjamin’s combine measurements may be important, as he is listed anywhere from 5’9” to 5’10” and 195 to 210 pounds. Teams will no doubt want to see if he has the size to hold up to the NFL game. He will also need to show good explosion to be a truly valuable change of pace option in the NFL.
Potential Landing Spots
Benjamin looks likely to come off the board between the third and fifth rounds of the NFL Draft. He would be a good fit on a pass-heavy team that already has a featured back as a depth piece. In addition to the teams typically linked to drafting a running back, the Saints could make sense, as years ago they drafted Boston Scott to fill a similar role.
Anthony McFarland Jr., Maryland
McFarland is not related to the former NFL player turned announcer Booger McFarland despite sharing the same name. McFarland’s primary concern is his durability, as the running back missed his senior year of high school with a broken fibula, redshirted his freshman year at Maryland, logged 138 touches in his first year of college action in 2018, and played through a high-ankle sprain that sapped his production in 2019. McFarland had some massive breakout performances, such as a near 300-yard rushing day against Ohio State in 2018, but had plenty of less impressive performances as well.
Fantasy Outlook
Listed as 5’8” or 5’9” and weighing in at less than 200 pounds, McFarland will likely never be a three-down back. But his speed and burst should give him some interesting upside, and he’s shown some pass-catching ability in his limited college sample. He’s a home run hitter that should be available in the third and fourth rounds of dynasty rookie drafts.
What to Watch for
McFarland is the type of player that could really open some eyes at the combine. His speed looks legit, and with not much college tape to go on, an impressive combine performance could solidify his draft stock. His size and durability will be big question marks, so everything from his measurements to his medicals could make or break the NFL future of the Maryland running back.
Potential Landing Spots
McFarland is probably a fourth-round pick or later in the NFL draft barring a breakout combine performance. Any team could be a landing spot for McFarland, but ideally he would land on a creative offense that could get him the ball on jet sweeps and in the short passing game.
-Erik Smith (@ErikSmithQBL)