Cowboys 2024 draft: Scouting reports on the top 6 running backs

Jaylen Wright possesses the tools and the film to be considered the best running back in this year’s draft class. He’s avoided season ending injury, unlike the other top RBs and has legitimate break away speed. He projects as a day 2 selection.

General information: In 2023, Wright was recognized for his athletic and academic achievements, earning a spot on the All-SEC Second Team, and making the Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll. A three-star prospect from North Carolina, he led his high school to a conference championship and excelled in track, winning a state title in the 55m dash with a record time. He is currently pursuing a degree in sport management with a minor in business administration.

Playing history: Wright’s history at Tennessee reflects a steady ascent in his football career. Starting as a backup in 2021, he made a notable impact with his carries. In 2022, despite being listed as a backup, he played enough snaps and produced at a level comparable to a starter. By 2023, he fully embraced the starting role and had a strong season. Throughout Wright’s tenure, he was part of an offense that focused on a spread formation, utilizing play action and spacing, while also incorporating a relatively healthy mix of outside and inside zone and an emphasized split of gap scheme runs to effectively move the ball.

Physical profile: Wore #0, fits the mold of a running back with a prototypical frame, matching the average height and weight for the position at 5’ 10.5″ and 210 pounds. Wright’s wingspan and arm length are slightly above average, providing a good reach, while his hand size is also commendable. On the field, he’s a speed demon with a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds. Wright also boast impressive explosion, with a vertical jump of 38 inches and a broad jump of 134 inches, both higher than the norm of running backs. Although there’s no data on his agility or bench press, his existing metrics suggest a highly athletic individual and the tape confirms it.

Positives: Wright boasts a strong positive profile, excelling in pass protection and entering the draft at 21 years old with three years of collegiate football experience. His prototypical size, coupled with remarkable breakaway speed and elite burst, classify him as an overall athletic marvel. Wright has a clean injury slate and is known for his elusive play, adept at changing direction and making defenders miss. His understanding of play development, combined with exceptional balance, allows him to fight for tough yards and spin out of tackles. Comfortable in the slot, he has an impressive career completion rate of 88.2% and minimal drops. Wright’s yards after-contact performance is notable, averaging 3.72 yards after contact over his career and 4.35 yards in 2023, with a career average of 6.3 yards per carry that rose to 7.4 yards in 2023. His rushing touchdown to fumble ratio stands at 18/5, and he achieved a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2023.

Negatives: Wright’s drawbacks include being only average in special teams coverage and lacking experience in returns. His involvement in the passing game has been limited, with just 34 career targets. Physically, Wright doesn’t have the imposing stature typically associated with power backs, and his vision on the field sometimes appears limited and overly predictable. He also has a tendency to run upright, which can be a disadvantage, and he experienced ball security issues with four fumbles during the 2022 season.

You can read Benson’s full draft profile here.

General information: Trey Benson is a Mississippi native who played high school ball at St. Joseph Catholic, where he earned a state championship, a four-star recruitment rating, and a scholarship. He started his college career at Oregon in 2020, but missed the season due to an ACL injury. Following his rehab, Benson failed to see the field in any real capacity in 2021, so he packed his bags and took his talents to Florida State. Immediate success followed on and off the field in the form of 2 consecutive 900+ rushing yard seasons, record breaking performances, leadership accolades and academic honors

Injury History: 2020 Tore ACL/MCL/LCL in December (Missed most of next season)

Playing history: Benson’s collegiate career began at Oregon, where he took a medical redshirt in 2020 due to an injury. The following year, he struggled to secure playing time, prompting a transfer to Florida State University (FSU). At FSU, he successfully claimed the starting position midway through the 2022 season and held onto it firmly. During his time at FSU, he was part of a pro-style spread offense that heavily utilized run-pass options (RPOs), a system similar to the one he was accustomed to at Oregon, which also combined pro-style elements with RPO and spread principles.

Physical profile: Benson played at Florida St and Oregon, recognized by #3 and #1 respectively, stands slightly taller than a prototypical RB at just over 6-foot tall and carries a solid 216 pounds, aligning with the prototypical build for his position. His wingspan and arm length are within the expected range, and his hand size is quite standard. He impresses with a 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds, showcasing his remarkable speed. His vertical jump and broad jump are also commendable, emphasizing his explosive capability. His upper-body strength is evident with 23 bench press reps, exceeding the average by a notable margin, but his agility drill results are not available. 

Positives: As a 21-year-old draft prospect, Benson brings a compelling mix of youth and talent to the table. His agility and strength allow him to evade defenders and power through tackles, backed by a history of excellent ball security with zero fumbles throughout his college career. His patience, vision, and power translate into effective jump cuts and reliable hands for catching. Benson’s contact balance is excellent, contributing to an impressive 24 touchdowns with no fumbles. He averages 3.97 yards after contact and 6.1 yards per attempt, indicating efficient running. Despite a relatively low number of carries, he nearly reached 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons and has a high reception completion rate of 82.1%. Benson’s experience is primarily in power run gap schemes, showcasing his adaptability and potential for growth at the professional level.

Negatives: Benson’s negatives include a significant ACL injury in 2020 and a lack of elite fluidity in changing direction. His anticipation skills need improvement as he tends to be stiff in the midsection. He hasn’t been a major receiving option and has a notable number of drops on limited targets. Benson’s special teams production at the professional level is not expected to be substantial. He is least experience with zone scheme runs which is something the Cowboys like to do a lot. These areas present opportunities for development to enhance his overall performance.

You can read Brooks’ full draft profile here.

General information: Jonathon Brooks is a Halletsville,Texas native. His All-State performance in high school landed him a roster spot on the University of Texas football team in 2021. He would spend his first two seasons behind the likes of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, but they departed for the NFL following the 2022 season. In 2023, Jonathon Brooks would step up as the premier running back for the Longhorns. He had some big shoes to fill. Bijan Robinson went 8th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons and Roschon Johnson went 115th overall to the Chicago Bears. Brooks made good on his time in the sun by rushing for more than 1,100 yards and 10 TDs through 11 games before tearing his ACL. He is recovering well from his knee surgery. Even though he has not yet worked out for teams, skipping out on drills at the NF Scouting Combine and UT’s pro day, he has been busy meeting with teams at both. The Dallas Cowboys are not the only team he is meeting with during the 30-visit process. Brooks is believed by many to be this year’s best RB prospect, regardless of injury.

Playing history: Brooks’ tenure at Texas saw him redshirt in 2021, participating minimally in four games during his freshman year. His role expanded significantly in 2023 when he became the starter, although his season was cut short by a knee injury. Prior to this, he was a backup, gradually gaining more playtime in 2022, supporting the likes of Bijan and Roschon Johnson. Throughout his time, Texas employed a pro-style offense, integrating spread and RPO principles with a balanced running approach.

Physical profile: Brooks is recognized by the #24 jersey at the University of Texas. He has a tall and slender frame, standing slightly above the average running back at over 6 feet and maintaining a standard weight for the position. Their wingspan and arm length are exemplary, fitting the prototypical mold, and their hand size is quite adequate. Brooks would be projected to run an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.45 seconds, indicating a swift top-end speed. Although there’s no data on their vertical, broad jump, or bench press, his tape suggest a player with a quick burst and competent directional change abilities.

Positives: As a young 20-year-old prospect entering the draft, Brooks brings a host of positives to the table. He’s proven to be dependable in pass protection and has a keen sense for the boundary. His vision and reaction time are excellent, and he demonstrates good lateral movement against all levels of defense. Not one to shy away from contact, he’s willing to fight for the tough yards and possesses a notable burst and patience. Books ability to evade defenders and execute jump cuts adds to his dynamic playstyle. For a taller ball carrier, he maintains decent contact balance and stands out as an excellent pass-catching option. His experience in both zone and gap schemes is well-rounded, and his career averages are impressive: 4.13 yards after contact, 6.2 yards per attempt, and 12.0 yards per reception, with an 87.5% completion rate. Despite a season-ending injury after 11 games in 2023, Brooks managed an 1,100 rushing yard season and boasts a 16:1 rushing touchdown to fumble ratio, with only one fumble in his career.

Negatives: Brooks’ drawbacks include being a subpar special teams contributor and recovering from a season-ending knee injury. His agility, particularly in making sharp cutback changes in direction, isn’t elite, and he has shown vulnerable to concentration drops as a pass catcher. Books’ build is leaner, which doesn’t suit a power back role, and he tends to run upright. While he is quick, his break away speed is not enough to consistently outpace fast defensive backs. Overall, these factors may affect his versatility and effectiveness on the field.

You can read Allen’s full draft profile here.

General information: Braelon Allen is a Fond du Lac, Wisconsin native who played football at Fond du Lac High School. After receiving consensus four star-recruitment recognition he elected to keep things close to home and represent his home state by playing for the Wisconsin Badgers for the duration of his college football career.

Playing history: Allen’s collegiate playing history is marked by a significant contribution over his three years at Wisconsin. He left high school early to join the team and quickly made an impact, securing the starting role during the final part of his freshman season in 2021. Over the years, Allen adapted to Wisconsin’s evolving offensive strategies, transitioning from a ground and pound zone running approach in his earlier seasons to an air raid offense with a focus on power running in 2023. His early start and adaptability have been key to his development and success on the field.

Physical profile: Allen wore #0 at Wisconsin. He has an impressive physical stature, standing over 6 feet tall and weighing 235 pounds, which is well above the average for his position. His wingspan and arm length are proportionate to his size, and his hand size is typical for a running back. His speed is notable, with an unofficial 40-yard dash time that’s faster than most at his position. While he did not participate in the vertical or broad jumps, nor the agility drills, his upper-body strength is evident with a bench press count significantly higher than the average, rounding out a well-balanced athletic profile. Allen elected not to workout at the NFL scouting combine or the Wisconsin pro day. A 30-visit will afford the Cowboys an opportunity to find out more.

Positives: Allen enters the draft with a clean bill of health and three productive years of college football under his belt. He’s adept at finding space for pass plays when not engaged in blocking and shows potential in pass protection, though further coaching could enhance this skill. On the field, Allen’s a powerhouse when running downhill and has reliable hands for check-down passes. He’s also dependable for catching passes in the flats and against zone coverage. Allen’s on-field tasks are executed with precision, supported by a strong stiff arm and the agility to navigate behind the line of scrimmage. Physically, he’s well-built with strong legs, allowing him to shrug off tackles and excel at the goal line. Allen’s speed is respectable, and while his vision is adequate, it’s not exceptional. He brings extensive experience in both gap and zone run schemes and has adapted to a scheme change from gap-heavy to zone-heavy. Allen’s contact balance is notable, and he boasts an impressive 5.8 yards per attempt over his career.

Negatives: Allen possesses a concerning history of fumbles, with nine incidents over three years, and a tendency not to secure the ball properly when contact is unexpected. His pass protection skills are underwhelming for his size, which was notably exposed when he fumbled twice in a game against Ohio State. Allen’s acceleration appears average, lacking the burst needed to outrun defenders in the open field. While his vision is adequate, it’s not exceptional. His route running from the backfield is limited. Allen needs to develop better patience and timing to his cut and go movement as a ball carrier. His running style is predominantly north and south, lacking the agility for high-speed directional changes. Additionally, he has no experience in special teams.

Kimani Vidal is a short and dense, well rounded running back with a low center of gravity. He’s an absolute warrior when picking up a gap in pass protection, something the Cowboys have missed since Ezekiel Elliot’s departure. He projects as an early day 3 pick, but the Cowboys currently don’t occupy a selection in the 4th round. Should he slide to round 5, he would make a fine addition to the running back room.

General information: Vidal has a commendable track record, having been recognized as part of the All-Sun Belt Second Team in 2022 and receiving honorable mentions in the previous two years. He comes from an athletic lineage with his father having played football at Florida A&M. Currently majoring in exercise science, Vidal hails from Georgia and has a background as a dual-sport athlete in high school, excelling in track and field as a state finalist in the shot put. That’s right, shot put, not running. DOG. His potential was evident early on, being rated as a consensus three-star recruit after helping his high school football team win a state championship.

Playing history: Vidal’s playing history at Troy is marked by his ascent to the starting position towards the end of his first year in 2020, a role he retained throughout his tenure. During his time, Troy operated a spread offense that primarily focused on a zone scheme running game, allowing him to showcase his skills in a system that emphasized the ground attack.

Physical profile: Wore #28, Vidal stands with a compact yet robust frame at 5’ 7.625″ and 215 pounds, and showcases above-average athleticism relative to running back prospects. Shorter in stature, his wingspan and arm length are also just shy of the average length, with hands that are standard in size. Vidal’s speed on the field is ideal, clocking a 40-yard dash at 4.46 seconds, faster than most. He also demonstrates excellent explosion generated by his lower body with a 37.5-inch vertical and a 120-inch broad jump. Vidal’s agility is on point, completing the 3-Cone drill in 7.01 seconds and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.15 seconds, both reflecting the standard. With 18 reps on the bench press, his upper-body strength is also up to par with his peers. Overall, there’s plenty to appreciate about Vidal’s athletic profile.

Positives: Vidal has established himself as a formidable force in pass protection, demonstrating fearlessness against aggressive linebackers and consistently owning the gaps he protects. At 22 years old, with four years of college experience, he meets the standard age and experience expectations for a prospect. Vidal’s injury history is dismissible, and he has shown marked improvement in ball security over the past two years. As the centerpiece of the Troy offense, he has been hyper-productive in both zone and gap running schemes, exhibiting excellent contact balance and breakaway speed. Vidal’s patient approach to finding and exploiting holes, combined with his agility and ability to stop and start abruptly, makes him a slippery opponent for tacklers. His versatility extends to the passing game, where he has been a significant contributor over his college career, running a diverse set of routes and amassing over 1,000 yards after contact in 2023 alone. His career average of 5.1 yards per attempt and a rushing touchdown to fumble ratio of 33/7 further underscore his effectiveness as a runner, highlighted by seasons with 1,600 and 1,100 rushing yards respectively.

Negatives: Vidal’s performance has room for improvement in several areas. While he is competent in special teams, he lacks experience as a return specialist. His extensive career carries suggest significant wear, and there are signs of fatigue in his legs towards the end of long runs or after deceleration. He demonstrates a need for consistent effort throughout plays and, although willing to engage physically, he does not exhibit overwhelming power. His lateral movements are effective but lack standout quickness, and his cutting style tends to be less sharp. Despite these areas for growth, he maintains a solid 7.6 yards per reception and an 81.3% career completion rate.

Ray Davis may slip down draft boards due to his age, 24 years old. However, he was undeniably one of the most dynamic running backs in the country in 2023 for Kentucky, and that was against SEC competition. Ray Davis could immediately contribute positively to the Cowboys rushing attack in the upcoming season if selected.

General information: Born in San Francisco to Jessica Blazer and Raymond Davis, and raised by guardians Lora Banks and Greg Ley, Ray’s upbringing in the foster care system has inspired him to be a beacon for children in similar situations. Davis, known for his athletic prowess and resilience, has been recognized as a Second Team All-American by Sports Illustrated. He has been a standout in the SEC, earning First Team honors from AP, Phil Steele, and USA Today, and was selected for both the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl. Davis’ talents also secured him an invitation to the 2024 NFL Combine. Following a knee injury that sidelined Davis for most of 2021, he was a semifinalist for Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. A versatile high school athlete, Davis played multiple sports at Blair Academy in New Jersey. Academically accomplished, he graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in communication studies and earned a business certificate from Kentucky. While his dream is to play in the NFL, he also aspires to work at ESPN and has a hidden talent for writing poems.

Playing history: Davis’ collegiate career began at Temple, where he redshirted in 2020 and played in four games. He secured the starting position by the end of his freshman year and maintained it through subsequent transfers to Vanderbilt and Kansas. After two years at Vanderbilt, he completed his final season at Kentucky, adapting to their slow-tempo pro-style offense focused on gap scheme runs. This followed his experience at Vanderbilt and Temple, where he played in spread offenses that emphasized a zone scheme in the running game.

Physical profile: Davis stands at 5-foot-8 and weighs 228 pounds, which is heavy for his height. He does have shorter arms, but his overall athleticism is notable, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.52 seconds, standard speed compared to the average RB prospect. Davis’ vertical jump and broad jump are commendable, indicating explosion and power from his legs. His 20-yard shuttle time was slower than anticipated compared to what he shows capable of on tape. Davis’ bench press performance is strong, with 21 reps indicating good upper body strength. Overall, Davis possesses a nice size and showcases plenty of juice as an athlete

Positives: Davis presents a diverse set of strengths, characterized by a solid build and a balanced running style that combines elusiveness with power. His agility is notable for his size, and he consistently demonstrates determination to stay upright. Davis’ vision on the field is sharp, and he runs with a patience and instinct that allow him to capitalize on openings. Statistically, he boasts a healthy career rushing touchdown to fumble ratio of 29/6, with a commendable record of ball security post-2020. Averaging 4.9 yards per carry, he has proven adaptable in various offensive schemes, though he shows a dominance for gap schemes and power runs. Davis’ versatility extends to receiving, with an impressive 10.1 yards per reception in 2023 and seven touchdowns, underscoring his multifaceted contribution to the offense.

Negatives: Davis’ transition from Temple to the SEC revealed challenges in pass protection, where he couldn’t replicate his earlier success. His contributions to special teams were below average, and a season-ending injury in 2021 raised concerns. At 24, Davis is older than many draft prospects, and while he’s competent, he lacks elite speed and agility. His career has seen 9 drops and a 78.8% completion rate, suggesting room for improvement in receiving. Additionally, with 741 career attempts, there’s considerable wear on Davis, which teams may consider when evaluating his longevity.