College offenses remain ahead of pro offenses when it comes to scheming open space for running backs. Most of the players in this group benefitted from offensive coaches who worked hard to ensure opposing teams would pay more attention to the passing game, come out in nickel or dime and not drop players down toward the line of scrimmage.
It’s not quite as easy to do that in the NFL, though, because defensive coordinators are more savvy and pro middle linebackers run like college safeties and don’t miss tackles. That’s why my top pick here isn’t a player that put up “wow” numbers; instead, it’s a runner who has already proven he can be effective when he has to make his own space.
1. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Wisconsin still lines up and runs the ball downhill; there’s not much manipulation of the defense going on. Taylor frequently ran into loaded boxes and did not enjoy as much space to run as his peers did. So his numbers might not pop as much as other backs. That experience — as well as his experience in Wisconsin’s pro-style run scheme — should serve him well on Sundays, though. Taylor is an ideal zone runner; he’s adept at finding the tiniest slivers of daylight and he’s got the speed to exploit that daylight. When Taylor gets to the third level of the defense, he can out-run defensive backs and finish off long runs. Some downsides? He’s not the shiftiest runner and may not contribute to the passing game.
Grade: Round 3
2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
Edwards-Helaire is a unique prospect in that he’s an explosive and elusive runner, but he’s not very fast (4.6 40-yard dash). He’s also small but built like a tank. He reminds me of Maurice Jones-Drew but MJD had track speed, which knocks Edwards-Helaire him down a tier. Like MJD, Edwards-Helaire will do damage in the passing game, as well. He’s one of the better receiving backs in this class. The hands are there but it’s his route-running that sets him apart. A smart offensive coach could turn him into a dual-threat star.
Grade: Round 3
3. Cam Akers, Florida State
Nobody can say that Akers benefited from playing behind a good — or even mediocre — offensive line. He’s a patient runner, a running style that doesn’t necessarily work behind a bad line but will serve him better in the NFL. Akers isn’t a shifty runner but he is explosive and will run through arm tackles. I don’t know if he’s a special prospect, but he’ll carve out a long NFL career.
Grade: Round 4
4. Zack Moss, Utah
Moss is my favorite back in the class but it’s impossible to ignore the red flags. He ran a slow 40 (4.65), he’ll be 24 by the end of his first season and has a concerning injury history. Moss may not have a lot of staying power and he isn’t going to break off a lot of long runs, but he’s a brilliant runner who knows how to set up his blockers. And good luck tackling him one-on-one. No back in this class was harder to bring down in the open field.
Grade: Round 4
5. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Dobbins looks like your typical workhorse back, but even at that size, he has legit speed. He’ll fit best in a zone running scheme, which will allow him to make one cut and explode upfield. He’s a fast straight-line runner but doesn’t have a lot of “make you miss” to his game. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to more crowded run boxes after playing in Ohio State’s spread offense.
Grade: Round 4
Five more prospects to keep an eye on…
6. DeAndre Swift, Georgia
7. A.J. Dillon, Boston College
8. Ke’Shawn Vaugh, Vanderbilt
9. Anthony McFarland, Maryland
10. Antonio Gibson, Memphis