Touchdown Wire analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s class, including Zack Moss, D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor, and more.
The “running backs don’t matter” axiom has become gospel to many who analyze and pontificate about the NFL to the point that the thought has become simplistic cliche. While it’s true that the days of the bellcow franchise back getting second and third contracts with his original team are over for the most part (Todd Gurley as the most recent cautionary tale), the more complicated truth is that while running backs may not matter as they used to in an individual sense, the importance of the right running game has not decreased.
Whether it’s the power gap running game the Patriots used in the second half of the 2018 season to pick up their sixth Lombardi Trophy and hide the limitations of their passing game, or the way the 2019 Titans used Derrick Henry as the constant while they changed quarterbacks, or the ways in which Kyle Shanahan has used motion and defensive displacement throughout his career to make the most of the backs he’s had, there are absolutely ways in which the backs — and the system — can still define an offense in these halcyon days of the four-receiver set.
And with that in mind, every draft class of running backs… well, matters more. This is when you get your guys fresh off the conveyor belt, fresh as they’re ever going to be, and nothing but upward potential in front of them — no matter how long it lasts (or doesn’t).
Here are the 11 best backs in the 2020 draft class, based on collegiate production and NFL potential.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could find an underrated running back in the 2020 NFL draft.
The Buccaneers’ offense was already one of the best in the league even before Tom Brady signed on to be their new quarterback. The bread and butter of Tampa’s offense last season was their passing attack, highlighted by wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, both of whom eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.
But their backfield was a different story. Tampa Bay ranked 24th in rushing last season, averaging just 95.1 yards per game on the ground. With Ronald Jones as the primary back now, the Bucs will need to find him some additional help, especially after Peyton Barber signed with the Redskins.
The NFL draft is likely the best place for the Bucs to find backfield support, but if they miss out on some big-name backs like D’Andre Swift or J.K. Dobbins, where could they turn? In Todd McShay’s running back rankings over at ESPN.com, he says Cam Akers of Florida State and Zack Moss of Utah could be great value finds for teams on Day 2 of the draft.
Per McShay:
“Akers is probably the most underrated running back in the class. And though he didn’t wow at the combine, Moss has power in his game, and his playing speed is a lot faster than his timed speed (4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis).”
Akers rushed for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns last season at FSU, while Moss put up 1,416 rushing yards to go along with 15 touchdowns for the Utes. Tampa Bay would be happy to get even half that production from a rookie running back.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow leads the way in this year’s draft class, followed by an abundance of impact wide receivers and linemen.
With the 2020 NFL Draft fast approaching, it is time to start finalizing draft boards. Not just for NFL teams, but for the team here at Touchdown Wire. Here is Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 25 offensive prospects in the 2020 draft class.
1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The list begins with the player expected to be the first pick off the board when the 2020 NFL Draft begins. Joe Burrow led LSU to a national championship last season and rewrote record books along the way. But the reasons he is the top offensive player — in addition to positional value — are the traits he brings to the table as a prospect.
Competitive toughness. Accuracy. Pocket management. Plus the ability to do all the little things that matter at the position, such as manipulating defenders with his eyes and throwing with anticipation. The Cincinnati Bengals are this close to finally having their quarterback … unless a team breaks the bank to trade up to the first spot.
2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
(Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
In a talented and deep wide receiver class, the players clustered near the top might just be a matter of personal preference. Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III are all potential game-changers at WR. Lamb edges out the rest due to his combination of explosiveness, catch radius, route-running and ability after the catch. Some might knock him for a lack of elite speed, but with his route-running, ability after the catch and how he sets up defenders on his cuts and breaks, the little things he has mastered make up for the lack of 4.4 speed.
3. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
(Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Spo)rts)
Football is a game of angles. Listen to Bill Belichick talk about angles in the blocking part of the game, and you will understand. That also matters for a wide receiver, how you set up and then break away from cornerbacks, how you exploit their leverage advantages, and how you attack their alignment off the line. Jeudy is a master at that part of playing wide receiver. He also brings great deep speed, elite hands and an ability to turn any play into a touchdown regardless of route. He was used predominantly as a slot receiver last season, but he has the short-area quickness and explosiveness to beat press when he transitions to the NFL.
4. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
(John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)
Obviously the medical picture might cloud Tagovailoa’s outlook in the draft, but based on what he can do on the field, the Alabama passer has to be considered one of the top offensive players in the draft. He possesses a lightning-quick release with a compact throwing motion, drawing comparisons to Jimmy Garoppolo in that regard. He also has the athleticism to extend plays outside of the pocket and keep a defense honest with what he can do as a runner. Tagovailoa is an accurate passer in the short and intermediate areas of the field, ideal for most NFL offenses. There are things he needs to clean up, such as his vision in the post-snap phase of the play, but if the medicals check out, he is a solid prospect at the game’s most important position.
5. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Similar to the wide receiver position, the offensive tackle group has great talent at the top, so ranking the “Big Four” tackles might come down to a matter of scheme fit or team needs. We can start with Wills, the Alabama right tackle who has been a mainstay on their offensive line the past two seasons. He gave up a single sack and just five quarterback hits during his career with the Crimson Tide. Wills is also a dominant player in the run game, and he has the power to handle gap/man assignments but also the footwork and agility to function well in a zone blocking scheme. What might hurt him in the eyes of some is that he has spent his career at right tackle, and teams looking for a LT might look at someone with more experience at that spot.
6. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
(AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
If an NFL team is looking for that “plug and play” starter at left tackle, Thomas is likely their man. He was a focal part of the Bulldogs’ offensive line for the past three seasons and made the switch to left tackle prior to the 2018 campaign. Last year, his second at LT, he gave up just one sack and eight quarterback hurries, and did not allow a single QB hit. Thomas is also a force in the ground game. The Georgia offense did give him help, running a lot of play-action, and he often worked with a tight end aligned around him, but his traits and execution translate well to the pro game.
7. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“Speed kills.” “You can’t teach speed.” Whatever your favorite sports cliche about speed is, dust it off and bring it to your evaluation of Ruggs. The Alabama wideout has speed to burn and showed that both on film and at the Scouting Combine, where he posted a blazing 4.24 40-yard dash. Ruggs has more than just the jets in his toolkit; he is a solid route-runner, tracks the ball well in the vertical game and is unafraid to work over the middle. But when you have the potential to take a simple slant route to the house on any given snap, you’re going to be coveted in the NFL.
8. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
(Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)
The Iowa product is another dominant force at right tackle. Wirfs turned heads at the combine when he posted a 4.85 40-yard dash after weighing in at 6-5 and 320 pounds. For reference, that is a faster 40-yard dash than quarterback Jake Fromm, who ran a 5.01 40. Wirfs is another plug-and-play type of offensive lineman, coming from an offense at Iowa that ran a variety of rushing concepts and tasked him with a lot from a pass protection standpoint. He also has the chance to play both right and left tackle, having seen 161 snaps at LT last season. With his athleticism and strength, Wirfs could be a mainstay at tackle for the next 10 years for the team that drafts him.
If the Houston Texans are looking for a young running back, they can find one at three different levels of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Given coach Bill O’Brien’s penchant for running backs, it’s a safe bet to say the Houston Texans will be looking to bring in a running back this summer. Thankfully, the 2020 NFL Draft has a good selection of backs, proven by the fact the Texans have already been in communication with at least 11 rushing prospects per WalterFootball.
Entering 2020, Houston’s running back room consists of Duke Johnson, David Johnson, Buddy Howell, and Karan Higdon. Without a clear starter, the Texans will likely have a third different starter in three years with Lamar Miller and Carlos Hyde having started 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Keeping this in mind, here are three prospects the side should be vying for come the draft.
Top pick: J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
A powerful downhill rusher, Dobbins would be a strong fit for O’Brien’s offense. Much like Hyde who excelled in his system last season, Dobbins is short and stocky (5-9, 209 lbs) who can cut on a dime and seems to have that extra gear to create separation. Primarily used on the inside, Dobbins is a duel threat back whom PFF pointed out was used 148 times in pass block reps in 2019 alone. This will appeal to O’Brien given how he stresses the importance of versatility and blocking ability in his players. A Texas native, the Texans always seem to place a priority on local prospects, he isn’t the most nimble of backs and he doesn’t have the best initial burst of speed. However, he would be a strong addition and a contributor from day one. Expect him to go during the second round, and do not be surprised if he ends up at the NRG given reports the side have shown a “steady interest” in the back.
Zack Moss started three games as a freshman before taking over for the next three years. Consistently good for around six yards per carry, he logged three straight 1,000-rushing-yard seasons to end his career with the Utes. He was the first player for Utah to manage that feat and last season was the PAC-12 Player of the Year.
He leaves Utah as their all-time leader in rushing attempts (712), rushing yards (4,067), rushing touchdowns (38) and career 100-yard rushing games (19). He ran for over 100 yards eight times in 2019 and twice recorded more than 180 rushing yards in a game.
Moss suffered a torn meniscus in his knee in November 2018 that stemmed from a pre-existing condition when he merely climbed into bed. When it happened, he was on a pace to gain 1,519 rushing yards which would have set the new single-season mark for the school. He underwent surgery that cut short his otherwise-great junior year.
Had the injury not happened, Moss would have likely considered declaring for the NFL draft. He elected to return for his senior season, more than proved himself healthy, and ended up over 1,800 total yards and 17 touchdowns as the Utes went 11-3 and won their second PAC-12 title with Moss on the team.
Year
Games
Runs
Yards
Avg.
TD
Catch
Yards.
TD
Total Yards
Total TDs
2016
10
84
382
4.5
2
1
4
0
386
2
2017
13
214
1173
5.5
10
29
243
0
1416
10
2018
9
179
1096
6.1
11
8
50
1
1146
12
2019
13
235
1416
6.0
15
28
388
2
1804
17
Pros
Violent, aggressive runner that punishes tacklers
Dangerous spin move keeps him moving
Capable receiver
Great vision and burst extends plays
Prototypical thick, bruising running back
Arm tackles do not exist when he runs
Maintains balance through contact
Better than average at pass protection
Three-down potential as a feature back
Cons
Only logged a 4.65 40-time at Combine, no second gear
Needs to work on ball security
Running style invites contact, could impact NFL durability
Heavy workload in college
Fantasy outlook
Moss projects as the rushing half of a dual backfield though he can catch the ball well. His lack of long speed would limit him more to check-down passes than placing him outside as a receiver. He brings elite inside-rushing skills that can move the chains and get that extra yard or two when he runs. He’s the sort of back that can wear down a defense and simply punish tacklers. There is a place for Moss in the NFL.
His durability could be an issue after so much work in college and now heading into the NFL where the defenders are bigger and better.
Moss is more like throw-back sort of running backs and if he lands on a team with an above-average offensive line, he could surprise even as a rookie. His 4.65 40-time did not surprise any scouts but doesn’t mean he’s too slow to play in the NFL. History has seen many backs with similar 40-times excel in the NFL like Terrell Davis and his 4.72 40-time. As with any running back, where he lands is the most important characteristic of his potential and outlook.
At the worst, Moss offers short-yardage and goal-line work, along with early-down rushing. That could sneak into being a lower-level fantasy starter. In the right situation, Moss could end up as a three-down back and offer sleeper value in a fantasy draft.
Another week of free agency has passed and the Arizona Cardinals have basically filled every starting spot they had open. That creates flexibility for the NFL draft.
If the Cardinals are looking to have their first-round pick have the most impact now, an offensive lineman might not be the way to go. The top defensive players are already off the board, so a big-time receiver is the way to go. Lamb will get to play in the Cardinals’ four-wide sets and can make an impact even as a rookie.
A look at seven players the Seattle Seahawks could select in the 2020 NFL draft, following their moves in free agency.
The Seattle Seahawks, through the first week of free agency, have made a handful of moves to further solidify areas of need on the 2020 roster.
Those moves have almost certainly altered their draft board, putting heavier emphasis on some positions while making other positions less important.
Here at the Seahawks Wire, we have altered our draft projections as well. Using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, we ran another potential mock draft based on Seattle’s updated needs, and the loss of a fifth round pick thanks to the Quinton Dunbar trade.
Here is a write-up of each of the seven mocked selections for the Seahawks, and why the picks would make sense for Pete Carroll, John Schneider and company as they look to build a Super Bowl contender in 2020.
Breaking down the draft profile of Utah RB Zack Moss, a potential pick for the Packers in the 2020 NFL draft
The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Utah running back Zack Moss:
What he can do
– Not a blazer by any means, but has plenty of functional speed
– Operated out of both single back and shotgun formations
– Smooth athlete; appears in control as he navigates through the trash
– Tough runner; demonstrates good balance upon contact
– Had 28 receptions in 2019 season; looks comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield but was used primarily as a runner
– Once he sticks his foot in the ground, he can get cover turf in a hurry
– Profiles as a between-the-tackles runner who’s at his most effective cutting upfield
– Fancy feet in a phone booth; nuanced running sets up blocks and creates creases
– Isn’t going to be your toss/sweep running back; NFL speed may limit what teams ask of him
– Good strength; falls for positive yards on contact; possesses adequate stiff –
– Has a natural feel/vision for where his blocks are setting up. He’s patient until he sees his crease and then can quickly accelerate
How he fits
The Packers drafted three running backs in 2017. Two of the three, Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones, were hits, but only one (Jones) is likely to stay beyond his rookie contract. As a result, the Packers will likely need a replacement for Williams, whose role tended to involve third-down pass blocking and between-the-tackles short-yardage running. To that end, the Packers could benefit from adding another thunderclap to Jones’ lightning. Moss can be the thunder. At 223 pounds, Moss has the size to get the tough yard, giving Jones a breather in the process. As the Packers lean more heavily on their running game, it’s important they maintain stability at the position. Moss shows the ability to be an effective contributor with high starter upside.
NFL comp
Moss is a bit shorter (5-9) than Le’Veon Bell (6-1), but they both weigh in at about 230 pounds and win with a judicious sense of patience, burst, and balance. If Moss reaches his apex, it could look a lot like Bell.
Where Packers could get him
Zack Moss does have an injury history (season-ending meniscus surgery in 2018), and his punishing style may further prohibit him from staying healthy long-term. Additionally, he ran a 4.65 at the combine (which may have been attributable to a tweaked his hamstring). He posted a video a few days ago of an electronically-timed 4.52. While 40s aren’t all that important for running backs, heavy legs and medical questions could create a slide for Moss, ending somewhere near the end of Day 2 or beginning of Day 3. He’d be good value with the Packers’ third-round selection and great value any pick after that.
Kyler Murray was the top-ranked player on PFF’s board when they selected him first. Byron Murphy was the top-ranked player at the time Arizona took him at pick 33 and other players like Zack Allen and Andy Isabella were highly rated.
If they follow this model again, here are several players the Cards could value more so than others. Here are some.
Utah RB Zack Moss
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals have already met with Moss at the combine, and one of the reasons may be his high marks from PFF, who have him rated as their top running back over such household names as DeAndre Swift and Jonathan Taylor.
Moss gets these high marks for his tackle-breaking ability, his hard running style and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Some have even compared him to Marshawn Lynch.
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Utah running back prospect Zack Moss
Zack Moss | RB | Utah
Elevator Pitch
The all-time leading rusher at Utah, Moss is coming off three consistent years of production. He accumulated at least 1,000 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns in each of the last three years. Moss is a powerful back that will cause defenders to make some business decisions in the secondary.
Moss is a handful for defenders. He is a power back that runs through contact very well with good balance. He can spin off would be tacklers or run right through them. He runs with good pad level, and if he squares up on a defender Moss will lower the boom and keep on moving. Defenders have to wrap up as arm tackles have no effect on him with that running style.
Moss shows good vision in finding holes behind the line of scrimmage. Shows good burst to get through the hole for a bigger back. Very good field awareness, knows where the sticks and pylon is at all times and will extend as needed. Shows adequate hands as a receiver, great in one on one situations in the flat. Is a handful for any defensive player to take down one on one.
Due to his power and physicality, he is a candidate to be an every down back at the NFL level. Needs a little coaching on technique but can be a good blocker in passing situations. Uses the same physical traits when running as he does blocking. Love his work as a face up blocker.
Weaknesses
Top end speed. Let’s be real honest, Moss isn’t going to burn defenses down the field as he doesn’t have long speed. When Moss does break off a long run, it more a byproduct of blocking up front and his physical runnings that eventually wears on a defense. He can get to the outside some, but his bread and butter will be running inside due to his lack of speed.
Moss had a heavy workload over his three years as a starter. With 778 touches in the better part of three seasons, some will question the durability. Had surgery late in the 2018 season to repair a torn meniscus. With his punishing style of controlled violence, it could lead to more concerns about his shelf life at the next level.
