The 2020 NFL Draft remains set to begin Thursday, April 23, and 255 players will be selected by teams to move on and play professional football. Several running backs are expected to be drafted. Here, we analyze the odds and best bets for the first running back to be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
2020 NFL Draft odds: First RB to be selected
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, March 19 at 8:45 a.m. ET.
Twelve running backs are expected to be drafted and have odds to be the first selected. Two are the clear favorites. Here are the odds.
- D’Andre Swift, Georgia -118
- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin -106
- J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State +700
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU +2000
- Cam Akers, Florida State +2500
- A.J. Dillon, Boston College +6600
- Zack Moss, Utah +8000
- Anthony McFarland, Maryland +10000
- Eno Benjamin, Arizona State +15000
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt +20000
- Lamical Perine, Florida +20000
- Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State +20000
Who will be the first RB drafted? Best bets
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Because of how running backs are valued today, even a talented running back class like this year’s group is getting pushed down. It is possible not a single back will go in the first round; however, with players like Swift and Taylor, at least one seemingly has to go early.
Initial projections had Swift going first and this is noted in the odds; however, Taylor produced more in college, rushing for more than 2,000 yards each of the last two seasons. Taylor’s performance at the combine probably put him over the top as the first pick.
Which team will select the first RB?
Who could possibly select the first running back?
The Miami Dolphins, who have three first-round picks, should be the favorite. They are expected to draft a quarterback, likely with the fifth overall pick, and will want to give him a running game to support him. They added veteran Jordan Howard in free agency, but multiple backs is the way to go in today’s NFL.
Another candidate is the Baltimore Ravens at No. 28, who depend on the running game to make the offense run.
My best bet would be to take Taylor, who is physical and fast at -106.
If there is a longshot to consider, ignore all but Dobbins at +700, who has all the abilities a team wants from a running back — running, catching and blocking.
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