NFL Draft 2020 – D’Andre Swift & J.K. Dobbins Top Solid Running Back Class
NFL Draft 2020 – D’Andre Swift & J.K. Dobbins Top Solid Running Back Class
Running Backs – Grade: B
Positional Overview:
This year’s running back position is an above average group after an ordinary class last April. Underclassmen will once again dominate from among the top prospects with most having early NFL starting grades. This class could supply up to as many as 2-3 #1 picks with Swift, Dobbins and Taylor good candidates. There should be possibly 5-6 prospects in the top 100 picks. Dobbins is a tough runner in the mold of short power feature backs. Swift is an emerging back with a nice combination of quickness and power. Cam Akers is a quick power back with well-rounded skills to be ready for NFL starting duty. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is an honest back with NFL starting talent to surprise. Zack Moss, Eno Benjamin, Lamical Perine, AJ Dillon and Anthony McFarland all figure in the middle rounds. Moss and Dillon give their clubs physical runners who can move the chains. Benjamin is a burner who can change a game. McFarland is a playmaker who figures to fill a few roles as a 1A type. Antonio Gibson can provide impact as receiver after time as a wideout. Mike Warren is an emerging highly-underrated talent to be a three-down workhorse and one of the surprises of this class. This class should produce as many as 7-10 quality feature backs with a few at the top of the class capable of becoming early pro starters. Another hidden gem is Pete Guerriero who we scouted extensively and he has the skills to be a quality role weapon with the athleticism to be a good pro. He is our highest rated small college prospect. This class could provide 15-20 selected in the seven rounds. This position will also provide many return specialists and 3rd down backs.
Frank Coyle – Publisher Draft Insiders’ Digest for 29 years – NFL Draft Yearbook 2020 & NFL Team Report (40 pgs ) – Available now – www.draftinsiders.com – Publication and Web Site
NFL Teams in need:
1. Chiefs 5. Chargers
2. Steelers 6. Rams
3. Bengals 7. Falcons
4. 49ers 8. Raiders
NFL Premier Player
Derrick Henry
Blue Chip – D’Andre Swift
Blue Chip – J.K. Dobbins
Red Chip – Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Rising – Cam Akers
Falling – Jonathan Taylor
Underrated – AJ Dillon
Overrated – Eno Benjamin
Sleeper – Anthony McFarland
Hidden Gem – Zack Moss
Boom/Bust – Cam Akers
Longterm Surprise – Lamical Perine
Positional Traits
Best Athlete – D’Andre Swift
Inside Runner – AJ Dillon
Outside Run – D’Andre Swift
Goal line Runner – AJ Dillon
Best All-purpose – D’Andre Swift
Best Hands – D’Andre Swift
Best After Catch – Antonio Gibson
Best Blocker – Cam Akers
Most Durable – Jonathan Taylor
Best Instincts – J.K. Dobbins
Best Intangibles – Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Top Running Backs Prospects
1 * D’Andre Swift – Georgia
2 * J.K. Dobbins – Ohio State
3 * Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin
4 * Clyde Edwards-Helaire – LSU
5 * Cam Akers – Florida State
6 Zack Moss – Utah
7 * Eno Benjamin – Arizona State
8 Lamical Perine – Florida
9 * AJ Dillon – Boston College
10 * Anthony McFarland – Maryland
11 Joshua Kelley – UCLA
12 Antonio Gibson – Memphis
13 Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Vanderbilt
14 Darrynton Evans – Appalachian State
15 * Michael Warren – Cincinnati
16 Deshawn McClease – Virginia Tech
17 * Salvon Ahmed – Washington
18 Scottie Phillips – Mississippi
19 * Pete Guerriero – Monmouth University
20 * DeeJay Dallas – Miami
Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.