NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - RUNNING BACK

Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:

RB #1: D'ANDRE SWIFT, GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Height: 5’9”.   Weight: 215lbs

PRO’S: Feisty, aggressive runner who keeps his legs churning through contact. Solid base and low center of gravity gives him the upper hand in most leverage battles. Good field vision upon receiving the football, already feeling where the hole will be. Shown patience to allow blocks to form, but not afraid to put his head down and initiate contact. Elite acceleration to the edge, and dangerous on stretch plays where he can pull the defense apart and create gaps. Devastating cutback that he uses effectively. Likes to stretch out the play a little longer than usual to confuse defenders trying to contain, widening the inside gap then bursting through it. Good, natural hands and comfortable catching the football. Has lined up at receiver at times for Georgia. Impressive in pass protection, particularly when he chips or bails out to offer a passing option if there’s nobody to block. Impressive spin move to grab extra yards at the tail end of carries.

CON’S: Not as productive on inside running plays as he is when he can get to the perimeter. Doesn’t find a way through the line of scrimmage when things get scruffy as much as you’d like him to. Long speed not as impressive as his short speed. Plenty of niggling injuries during his time in Athens, although rarely missed game time.

SIMON CARROLL: “In an era when you’re looking for a running back to stay on the field all three downs, Swift fits the bill perfectly. He’s an asset in the passing game, both as a blocker and a receiver, and that makes him the clear #1 back in this draft class. But it’s his game-breaking ability that teams will covet most. Ideally suited to a zone blocking scheme”.

NFL COMPARISON: LESEAN MCCOY
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK (LIKELY FOR A TEAM WITH MULTIPLE FIRST ROUND PICKS)

RB #2: JONATHAN TAYLOR, WISCONSIN BADGERS

Height: 5’11”.   Weight: 219lbs

PRO’S: Powerful runner who squeezes every ounce out of every play. Excels between the tackles, an amazing ability to squeeze through gaps that aren’t there and drive for more yards. Sneaky yard grabber who always gets more than you think possible and falls forward on every play. Very intelligent back with an effective blend of patience behind the line of scrimmage and sheer power and speed to hit the hole hard and fast. Never has just one defender taken him to the ground. Excellent acceleration matched by terrific long speed. Allows blocks to be set up and holes to open before ploughing ahead. Ultra-productive at college, with over 6,000 yards on the ground through three seasons. Willing and effective in pass pro, and excels at picking up secondary blitzes.

CON’S: Ball security is questionable, with eighteen fumbles across his three year college career. Ridiculous workload in Madison will have scouts concerned about his longevity in the NFL. Little to no production as a pass catcher in his first two seasons, and still underwhelming despite a concerted effort to improve as a Junior.

SIMON CARROLL: “His powerful style and exceptional ability between the tackles may have some calling Taylor a North-South runner, which does his nuanced game a disservice. A natural blend of power and finesse makes him almost impossible to bottle up. The lack of effectiveness in the passing game is a knock that may see him come off the field on third downs, and his draft stock will be affected as a result. Because of that, Taylor could prove to be a day two steal for a team who wishes to establish the run as their primary offensive objective”.

NFL COMPARISON: ADRIAN PETERSON

PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

RB #3: JK DOBBINS, OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

Height: 5’10”.   Weight: 217lbs

PRO’S: Lightning just waiting to strike. If he finds a crease and gets through the line of scrimmage into space untouched, he’s gone. Stocky with a powerful lower frame that allows him to win the leverage battle and keep churning for extra yards. Physical on inside runs, & not afraid to put his head down and get the hard yards. Effective as a finisher on short yardage and goalline plays. Enjoys putting a lick on a tackler. So quick in the open field with elite acceleration. Top speed is too fast for any defensive back he faced. Good vision and knowledge of angles to take to avoid a tackle. A three-down back who is a threat in the passing game.

CON’S: Spotty in pass protection - he shows willingness but often gets confused and tries to block too late. Had a heavy workload in his final season in Columbus and his physical running style will have scouts concerned about durability. Isn’t as slippery or evasive as some of the other backs in this draft class. If running lanes aren’t clean he struggles to shrug off early contact.

SIMON CARROLL: “It’s quite hard to find a weakness to Dobbins’ game. If you’re an NFL scout he ticks all the boxes and then some - he has some work to do in pass pro but nothing that coaching can’t overcome. He improved his all-round game as a Junior and showed the world he can stay on the field. At just 21 it feels like we’re only scratching the surface of his potential”.

NFL COMPARISON: DALVIN COOK

PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

RB #4: CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE, LSU TIGERS

Height: 5’8”   Weight: 209lbs

PRO’S: Bowling ball of a running back with a low center of gravity. Heavy duty ball carrier with powerful lower body that wins the leverage battle and gains extra yards. Plus athleticism that makes him dangerous even in tight areas, and elite acceleration that allows him to break into the backfield at speed. Displays good patience behind the line of scrimmage with short, choppy feet that plant and push when needed. Dangerous receiving threat with good route running and can be flared out as a receiver in empty sets. Excellent catcher of the football even with minimal time facing the pass.

CON’S: Had some ball security issues at LSU, fumbling behind the line of scrimmage. Accelerates well but top end speed isn’t elite. Has shown struggles with inside runs against elite fronts, particularly Auburn & Georgia. Pass protection could be improved - needs to slow down pass rush on chip routes better. Was robbed at gunpoint in 2018 and the thief was shot and killed in self defence - no suggestion of character issues but something teams will certainly research.

SIMON CARROLL: “After two years of modest production Edwards-Helaire finally became THE running back for LSU in 2019, and he didn’t disappoint. His game will excite NFL teams looking for a three down back, particularly if he can clean up his pass protection. He has the versatility to play in any running scheme”.

NFL COMPARISON: MARK INGRAM

PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

RB #5: CAM AKERS, FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

Height: 5’11”.   Weight: 212lbs

PRO’S: Stocky, powerful inside runner with a physical toughness on contact. Shows relatively good anticipation behind the line of scrimmage, and can jump-cut nicely and attack a different hole. Modest production at college level looks more impressive when you consider the poor blocking in front of him. Gets up to top speed in a hurry and shows good balance to pinball off defenders and withstand leg tackles. Shown he can lower his pads and finish every run physically. Will get you the hard yards on goal-line or short yardage situations. Is quite evasive in tight confines. Offers promise as a receiving option despite the lack of targets at Florida State.

CON’S: Not got elite speed. Ball security a major issue. Nowhere near as effective bouncing runs to the outside. Lack of finesse means there weren’t many game-breaking plays in Tallahassee. Can be impatient waiting for gaps to open and blocks to develop. Needs to show more instincts at the next level - his play execution can be rather one-dimensional and predictable. Offers full effort in pass protection but reading the dangers and blocking technique need some work. Physical style of play has resulted in numerous recurring injuries which, to his credit, he has played through.

SIMON CARROLL: “Akers’ all-round game will be attractive to NFL teams looking for one back for every occasion. He was put in an awful situation at Tallahassee and woefully misused. The fumbles and pass protection issues can be cleaned up, but no amount of coaching will give him that x-factor that the elite running backs in this draft class above him offer. Ideally suited to a hard-nosed football team utilising a zone running scheme”.

NFL COMPARISON: JAY AJAYI

PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND

RB #6: ZACK MOSS, UTAH UTES

Height: 5’10”.   Weight: 222lbs

PRO’S: Smooth, polished ball carrier with devastating cut ability. Moss will change direction and be gone in the blink of an eye. Squeezes through gaps and shows elite elusiveness. Despite his finesse style of running he brings physicality to the position on every down. He embraces contact, drives forward and keeps his feet moving for the extra yards. Very rarely taken down by first contact. Thick trunk looks durable for the NFL. Low center of gravity aids him in pass protection. High football IQ, understands what he sees pre-snap and adjusts accordingly. Plus vision, often over-carrying the intended gap he figures to cut back into to deceive would-be tacklers.

CON’S: Top end speed lacking; he won’t outrun defensive backs. Heavy workload at Utah - true freshman to senior with well over 700 carries. The finesse he shows carrying the football does not translate to the passing game. Route running needs work. Relies too much on the cutback when sometimes a more north-south approach would be preferred. Tries to bounce the ball outside when the gaps don’t develop and can make a broken play worse with negative yardage.

SIMON CARROLL: “Moss is an incredible blend of subtle nuance and physical intimidation in one running back. His knack of finding holes at the line of scrimmage looks effortless, but don’t for a minute think he won’t run all over you to get where he wants to be. The carries and speed don’t concern me at all. If you want to find a late day two guy who can become an instant starter and future pro bowl ball carrier, Moss is your man”.

NFL COMPARISON: JOE MIXON

PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

RB #7: ENO BENJAMIN, ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Height: 5’10”.   Weight: 210lbs

PRO’S: Physical downhill runner who passes the eye test despite his compact frame. Wins the leverage battle at the point of contact and always falls forward at the end of every play. Nimble feet that, coupled with his bruising style sees him pinball off defenders on the way to more yards. Very much willing to engage in contact in short yardage situations. Excellent YAC guy; rarely goes down on first contact. Good acceleration sees him turn on the gas as he hits the line of scrimmage. Very good jump cut that allows him to find a preferred gap. Plus elusiveness and slippery in close quarters. Capable receiver out of the backfield with sure hands and subtle route running. Elite ball security - not one fumble in 576 snaps at Arizona State

CON’S: Long speed is lacking. His forty time at the combine or at his pro day will not be pretty. Over reliant on his jump cut, sometimes leading to wrong decisions being made in the backfield. Needs to show more patience when breaking through the line of scrimmage. Roughly same height/weight as Christian McCaffrey & will face similar durability questions. Struggles in pass protection unless the blitz comes directly towards him.

SIMON CARROLL: “His ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ game could mean that Eno Benjamin falls as far as an early day three pick, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a success in the NFL. In fact, his all-round skillset means that with some coaching and maybe sharing the backfield with a veteran at first could lead to him being a three-down back in the future. For a full prospect breakdown of Eno Benjamin, click here:”.

NFL COMPARISON: DAVID MONTGOMERY

PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

RB #8: ANTHONY MCFARLAND, MARYLAND TERAPINS

Height: 5’9”.   Weight: 198lbs

PRO’S: Boy oh boy is this kid fast. Give him the ball in space and he is as dangerous as they come. Elite acceleration, reaching top speed almost instantaneously. Lateral quickness impressive too, can scrape the line of scrimmage until he finds a crease. Always wins to the corner and utilises good angles to beat the initial tackler. Even when defenders get near him he proves tricky to get a hold of, his evasiveness allowing him to escape tough situations. Shows good vision, allowing lanes to develop, particularly on zone runs. Despite his speed game isn’t shy of contact and keeps his pads square to the tackle.

CON’S: Lightweight frame with distinct lack of lower body power. Struggles against a stacked box. Will be coming off the field on 3rd and 2’s or goalline situations. Surprising lack of balance for a jitterbug style of running back. Very limited football in his career so far - usually a good thing for running backs but the step up for McFarland will be steep. An unknown in the passing game, utilised very little as a receiver in Maryland. Pass protection is non-existent.

SIMON CARROLL: “McFarland is almost a faster version of Darrell Henderson from Memphis last year - an exciting, dangerous weapon with the ball in his hand but as raw as they come. Much like Henderson I expect him to be a mid-round pick who will see his snaps increase as the 2020 season rolls on. Ideally suited when selectively used in a dynamic high-speed offense”.

NFL COMPARISON: DARRELL HENDERSON

PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

RB #9: SALVON AHMED, WASHINGTON HUSKIES

Height: 5’11”. Weight: 196lbs

PRO’S: Has elite speed - will blow people away with his forty time, which is expected to be in the low 4.3’s. Sees a hole, hits the gas, and once in his stride in the open field nobody is catching him. Extremely patient behind the line of scrimmage, already diagnosing the play unfolding at the mesh point. Will slow his run down as he approached the LOS, effortlessly bouncing to a new hole if it doesn’t develop for him. Operated in a scheme diverse run game in Washington, showcasing his ability between the tackles or stretched out. Not afraid of contact at the end of runs. Shown good hands in the passing game and as a kick returner.

CON’S: Skinny frame that carries less weight than ideal for the NFL. Lack of lower body power erases yard after contact ability. Struggles to combat tackles square, let alone side-on. Is patient but sometimes over eager to change route through the line. Isn’t a short yardage hammer by any stretch. No strength or form to pass protection, and usually ends up diving at the feet of the oncoming threat. No recorded fumbles but in two of the games I watched (USC 2019, Arizona 2019) the ball came loose on 4th down; with bigger tackles ball security may be an issue.

SIMON CARROLL: “Ahmed often looks like he’s been fired out of a cannon. There’s no stopping him once he stretches his legs, but he’s a liability in pass protection and he won’t be a three down back in the NFL. Ideally suited to a running back committee where he can come in and punish tired defenses with fresh legs”.

NFL COMPARISON: RAHEEM MOSTERT

PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

RB #10: AJ DILLON, BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES

Height: 6’0”.   Weight: 250lbs

PRO’S: Terrifyingly huge running back. Sheer playing power is impressive, like a runaway train smashing into defenders and taking them with him for extra yards. Thrives on short yardage situations. Ridiculously fast for his size and weight, and quite nimble on inside runs when quick steps and subtle movements are necessary. Quick enough on outside runs to get to the corner and clever angles maximise his opportunity for yardage. Plus vision allows him to see the hole develop, then he lets his physical superiority do the rest. Shows good patience with his play diagnosis, stringing out the handoff if necessary. An absolute monster in pass pro, engulfing blitzers and holding firm against the bigger defensive linemen.

CON’S: Lacks elusiveness and change of direction speed as you’d imagine for a man his size. Somewhat linear runner with little imagination and creativity. At 250lbs he might be too big for NFL tastes - some teams might want him to lose weight and see if the athleticism improves, others might consider him a fullback. As violent as he is, you sometimes think he takes it easy on defenders at the end of runs. Used sparingly in the passing game at Boston College but doesn’t appear to have a natural ability in this regard.

OLI HODGKINSON: The phrase thicker than a bowl of oatmeal may have been invented for AJ Dillon. At 6’0’ and 250lbs, there isn’t another running back like him in the NFL Draft. Equally capable of running through or around the defense, Dillon has 3 straight 1000 yard seasons and leaves BC as the programs leading rusher of all time. Dillon’s Draft position will depend on his showing at this weeks NFL Combine. It may be bias from watching him dominate for BC for three years but i have a higher opinion than the general consensus. As such, it’s possible he is still available on Day 3 and probably goes in round 5

NFL COMPARISON: LEONARD FOURNETTE

PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

RB #11: ANTONIO GIBSON, MEMPHIS TIGERS

Height: 6’1”.   Weight: 223lbs

PRO’S: Multi-faceted offensive weapon that played mostly receiver at Memphis but also lined up in the backfield and was a dangerous kick returner too. Was designated as a running back at The Senior Bowl and is likely how NFL teams will consider him. Stunning lean and powerful physique that brings an explosion from the line of scrimmage bordering on intimidating. Excellent vision lets him diagnose the right areas to attack with the ball in his hands or on option routes. Shows good anticipation and timing, letting plays develop before he turns on the jets. Extremely hard man to bring to the ground. Once he’s rolling, he’s not going to be stopped. Natural hands as you’d expect for a receiver.

CON’S: Raw, and hasn’t really found his home on a football field yet. Will need to be in a situation that can maximise his explosiveness. Needs to lower his pad level as a running back - he’s a big man and plays like one from the backfield. Pass protection and blocking isn’t half as good as you’d expect for a man with his size and length. Long speed isn’t matched by short-area quickness and he relies on his catch radius to win contested balls. Route running is unpolished. Inconsistency in performance from game to game. College football afforded him a lot of the ball in plenty of space and his stats may be inflated as a result.

SIMON CARROLL: “The pre-draft process is going to be huge for Antonio Gibson as he is somewhat of an unknown commodity. NFL teams will be intrigued by the athleticism and measurables, and he could prove to be a game changer if he lands on a roster with a creative play caller. Turn on the SMU tape and you’ll see just how special he can be. Imagine what someone like Sean Payton could do with this guy”.

NFL COMPARISON: TONY POLLARD

PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

RB #12: KE'SHAWN VAUGHN, VANDERBILT COMMODORES

Height: 5’10”.   Weight: 218lbs

PRO’S: ‘Swiss Army Knife’ running back adept in both the running and passing game. Smart footballer who knows what he needs and how best to get it. Very quick burst at the line of scrimmage; fires through the gap. Cuts aggressively and decisively. Plays with physicality, embracing contact and shrugging off defenders. Brute force at his fingertips - effortlessly flicks away defenders with his stiff arm. Shortens his steps and keeps his feet moving in tight confines. When he finds space, he’s gone. Excellent on screens and wheel routes out of the backfield and adept at finding the soft spots in zone coverage. Good hands and has even lined up as a wide receiver on occasion.

CON’S: Limited vision often means there’s not much yards after the line of scrimmage. Not a YAC guy - first contact nearly always takes him down. A lot more productive running slants or zone runs where the linemen stretch out the defense for him. Couldn’t find one example of a game-breaking run on tape (Georgia, LSU, South Carolina). Pad level needs to be lower on contact. Loses speed when first hole doesn’t develop & has to choose another option.

SIMON CARROLL: “Watching Vaughn can sometimes be infuriating because you see the traits but the explosiveness is lacking. Without doubt his greatest attribute is his versatility, offering an NFL team a change of pace back who can come in on third downs and provide numerous options for a defense to consider”.

NFL COMPARISON: AUSTIN EKELER

Prediction: 5TH ROUND PICK

RB #13: JJ TAYLOR, ARIZONA WILDCATS

Height: 5’6”.   Weight: 185lbs

PRO’S: Shifty, quick cut runner who plays with a confidence and aggression that belies his size. Has no issue running between the tackles - in fact I’d say he’s a better inside runner than outside. Good vision and shows excellent decision making at speed, changing angle or gap to maximise yards. Short stature gives him natural leverage advantage against tacklers. Stocky build and lower body power allows him to pack a surprising punch to end his runs. Difficult to get a bead on and shows good elusiveness to make the first man miss. Flexed out frequently at Arizona and despite meagre receiving production showed excellent hands and impressive route running ability. A feisty competitor who plays with a chip on his shoulder.

CON’S: As much as he plays bigger, his size likely dictates he won’t be a three-down back in the NFL. Short strider - naturally due to short legs - means his breakaway speed will never be as elite as his burst. Shows impatience at times and diverts his course too eagerly. Would have benefited from showcasing his pass catching ability more often at college. Pass protection inevitably a struggle, though you can’t fault him for effort.

SIMON CARROLL: “You can’t help but be quietly impressed with JJ Taylor’s game when watching the tape. His draft stock is limited as his role in an NFL offense will be selective, but don’t be surprised if he carves out a serious career as a change of pace back who can do it all on third down”.

NFL COMPARISON: DARREN SPROLES

PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

RB #14: REGGIE CORBIN, ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINIS

Height: 5’10”. Weight: 200lbs

PRO’S: Shifty jitterbug runner with electric feet. Elite cutting ability - leaves defenders with egg on their faces. Subtle shoulder drops see him breeze past flailing tackles. Superb acceleration through the hole and into the backfield. Long speed matches short area quickness. Fantastic vision, particularly at the second level when making moves to avoid a third or fourth tackle attempt. Well proportioned frame and good lower body strength. Has game-breaking play ability.

CON’S: Doesn’t have the power or aggression of JJ Taylor, who is smaller and lighter than him. Play strength needs improvement. Questionable balance after contact although gets good yards after contact. Smart in pass pro - identifies the danger well - but cannot hold up against it. Production took a nose dive in his senior year despite Illinois being much more competitive - average yards per carry nearly halved. Offers little to nothing in the passing game - just three receptions last season.

SIMON CARROLL: “Exciting to watch, no running back will astound you with big plays more in this draft class than Reggie Corbin. His lack of power on short yardage situations and non-existent pass catching history means he won’t be on the field on third downs, but teams with a varied running back room utilising a zone running scheme could be interested late on day three”.

PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

RB #15: LAMICAL PERINE, FLORIDA GATORS

Height: 5’11”.   Weight: 218lbs

PRO’S: Toughness is Perine’s calling card. A violent downhill runner who will identify a gap and charge through it, whether big enough or not. Composed and patient until a play develops, then puts his foot on the gas until he is stopped. Shows good vision and decision making as he approaches the line of scrimmage. Adept in RPO’s and play action, selling the fake well. Powerful and stocky frame aids his physical style of play. Worked hard to develop his game as a Senior, losing weight and showing better acceleration and also operating effectively as a pseudo receiver on passing downs.

CON’S: Sub par athleticism relative to the rest of the draft class. Lack of elite top speed. Not a guy that’s going to break ankles with elusiveness. Strictly a between the tackles runner - doesn’t have the speed to get to the outside. Predictable with the ball in hand. Susceptible to lower body tackles and balance is a question mark. Has he compromised his power by losing weight?

SIMON CARROLL: “There’s a lot to admire about Perine’s team-first, selfless style of play. But ultimately his lack of athleticism reduces his effectiveness at the next level. Teams will be pleased to see him develop his pass catching ability but he may be better served bulking back up and becoming a two-down hammer for an NFL team”.

NFL COMPARISON: LEGARRETTE BLOUNT

PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

RB #16: PATRICK TAYLOR, MEMPHIS TIGERS

Height: 6’3”. Weight:   227lbs

PRO’S: Behemoth of a running back that makes AJ Dillon look small. All power and force, lower body strength allowing him to push through contact and drive the scrum forward. Ignores arm tackles, and anything high isn’t going to stop him. Devastating stiff arm - routinely embarrassed would-be tacklers swatting them into the ground. Impressive long speed. A versatile offensive weapon who is extremely proficient catching out of the backfield and can also line up out wide or in the slot. Good hands and able to high point the football & catch safely in traffic across the middle. Dominant in pass protection.

CON’S: Lack of finesse to his game - he’s bulldozing through the line or he’s not. Limited vision - routinely fails to identify the best hole or course of action with the ball in his hand. Not much in the way of yards after contact when the hit is low. Elusiveness predictably sub par - lack of lateral mobility and athleticism on cuts. Ends up reducing yardage by running into his own blockers. Acceleration is lethargic. Chequered injury history that NFL teams will be keen to dive into.

SIMON CARROLL: “I can understand the appeal of Patrick Taylor. Put him in a backfield committee with more athletic alternatives and you have a short yardage juggernaut that complements your run game. For me, his best attribute is his ability in the passing game - without that he’s too one-dimensional for the NFL. Some creative offensive co-ordinator might be able to utilise him in more of a h-back role”.

NFL COMPARISON: RODNEY ANDERSON

PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

RB #17: JAMES ROBINSON, ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS

Height: 5’9”. Weight: 219lbs

Pros: Robinson has outperformed his initial 2-star recruiting rating (Rivals and Scout). The Redbirds standout has exceptional production that is a major factor in the NFL attention to this point. His senior season saw him total 1,899 rushing yards in 2019 at 5.22 per carry and 18 touchdowns. That contributed to an appearance at the East-West Shrine event and the only small school running back invited to the Combine. A power-through-contact runner, Robinson thrives on lowering his shoulder and driving for yards after contact. Though he lacks top speed, once free on the second level he is tough to bring down. He showed at the Combine that he has lower body explosion with a 40” vertical. The violence on the boundary to finish runs typifies his physical style. His stout, broad build will be able to continue to handle a high workload should he earn that role. Robinson is built with a low center of gravity that contributes to his good balance and advantageous pad level. His decision making and vision are generally good.

Cons: His Combine dash of 4.64 was among the slowest among participants and reflective of his film. There is a lack of overall speed in Robinson’s game. As a result, he is corralled in the backfield more often than wanted on film. Though his offensive line was notably overmatched, Robinson struggled in an opportunity against FBS opposition in Northern Illinois early in the 2019 season. The Illinois State prospect often wants to head laterally to the edges but will struggle to find success heading outside in the pros. He hasn’t been utilized much at any point as a receiver out of the backfield. His contributions to the passing game in 2019 led to 16 receptions at only 5 yards a time on average.

Rebecca Rennie: “The production is good but it’s difficult to locate much in Robinson’s game, skills and traits that stands out in order to replicate his success at the small school level. He’s well built, tough and physical, which could earn him a roster spot, but not a great deal to bang the table for. He should be drafted, but would expect it to be late on.”

NFL Comparison: Peyton Barber

Prediction: 7th Round

RB #18: PETE GUERRIERO, MONMOUTH (NJ) HAWKS

Height: 5’9”. Weight: 195lbs

Pros: While his early declaration for the draft was a minor surprise, it felt like a wise choice given his position and the massive 2019 season. The numbers are hugely impressive, totalling 1995 rush yards on the season at 6.7 yards per carry and 18 rush TDs. He also had his best season as a receiver this past year, adding 32 catches for 336 yards and 2 TDs. Guerriero put together consistently dominant performances as desired from a small school prospect, regularly looking like the best prospect on the field. A dynamic back, Guerriero has nice foot quickness and though he has shorter strides, the former track sprinter shows good top end speed. Impressive in short areas with lateral agility, sharp cuts and minimal wasted motion. While he might have some limitations up the middle, Guerriero is slippery between the tackles. What really stands out for projecting favorably to the next level, Guerriero shows subtlety with good feints, shifts, use of his eyes, working defenders to flat-foot them as his makes his cuts. His efficiency impresses, timing his cuts north well, with minimal lateral “dancing” in the backfield. The Monmouth star makes quick decisions, reacting and anticipating when holes are opening. Though smaller, Guerriero steps up to physical challenges, takes hits and shows good contact balance. His stiff arm is effective at the FCS level. He’s likely never excel as a pass protector but shows high effort in his assignments. The dynamic back makes some highlight plays as a receiver, including on deeper targets. His versatile usage has included lining up from the slot.

Cons: Despite his big final season, Guerriero didn’t get a Combine invite, so putting on a show at his pro day could be crucial. More significantly, the early declaring RB didn’t get to prove himself at an All-Star event against a higher level of competition, leaving some unknowns that could limit the draft stock. Though he flashes really well as a receiver, some of his route running requires some sharpening to fully unlock is potential in the passing game.

Rebecca Rennie: “It’s difficult to find much to fault in Guerriero’s game film, as reflected in the brief “cons” paragraph. His combination of burst, vision, shiftiness, receiving ability and under-rated toughness is an appealing combination. His film looked good enough to have warranted a Combine invite, and grades as a worthy Day 3 prospect.”

NFL Comparison: Chris Thompson

Prediction: 7th Round

RB #19: DEEJAY DALLAS, MIAMI HURRICANES

Height: 5’10”.   Weight: 214lbs

Hefty, compact ‘bowling-ball’ running back. Low center of gravity and powerful trunk gives him all the leverage in contact. Surprisingly dainty feet coming through the hole, making small gaps look big. Game isn’t all physical but loves sticking his nose in to move the chains. Smooth running style with good acceleration through the line of scrimmage. Elusive in one on one’s, again is more slippery than his physique would suggest. Excellent pass-catching weapon, particularly out of the backfield on screens. Dominant in pass protection and picks up the blitz effortlessly.

Lack of long speed due to body style. Added weight to be more physical but lost some explosiveness and athleticisim as a result. Good acceleration is easily eradicated by chasing defenders after ten yards from the line of scrimmage - nothing in terms of game-breaking plays. One-dimensional in his running style - downhill runner who won’t be juking, cutting or spinning his way to extra yards.

SIMON CARROLL: “The lack of finesse to Dallas’ game is going to limit his draft stock significantly, but do not be surprised if he carves out a significant NFL career for himself. With his pass catching ability and physical game he should be able to find a role in a backfield somewhere. He has the feel of the undrafted guy who sticks around in the league longer than you would expect”.

NFL COMPARISON: CJ ANDERSON

PREDICTION: UDFA

RB #20: JOSHUA KELLEY, UCLA BRUINS

Height: 5’11.   Weight: 219lbs

PRO’S: Big, physical downhill runner. Has sufficient acceleration to burst through the line of scrimmage. Impressive pad height for a bigger back, which helps him with leverage and finish runs strongly. Takes contact well, absorbing the hit and keeping his legs churning. Smart football player pre-snap; understands likely opportunities and is quick to make a decision when receiving the handoff. Shows deft feet when darting through traffic and is able to plant his foot and change direction without losing speed.

CON’S: Long speed limited - game-breaking plays thin on the ground throughout his time at UCLA. The pre-draft process won’t be kind to him in terms of the measurables. Lack of imagination when the play isn’t viable, and just takes the loss/no gain. When he’s out in the open with no bocks he’s not going to make a defender miss. Not effective as an outside runner - sluggish to get to the corner and inevitably met before he can gain any yards. Not shown much as a pass catcher, and route running is basic at best. Willing but raw in pass protection.

SIMON CARROLL: “24 touchdowns and 2,500 all purpose yards the last two years suggest Kelley is a productive dynamic back, when in truth he’s more of a one-dimensional workhorse who is 100% effort but lacking in athleticism. I fail to see what stands out about his game compared to the other running backs in this draft class, and it’s likely NFL scouts will feel the same”.

PREDICTION: UDFA

Feature Credit Image: Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire (Getty Images)

Mock Draft

Simon Carroll

CFB/NFL DRAFT EDITOR

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN SCOUTING DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.  HE FULLY MIGRATED TO THE TOUCHDOWN AS HEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NFL DRAFT CONTENT IN JULY 2019. ALL THE RANKINGS ABOVE ARE HIS OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THE WRITERS AT THE TOUCHDOWN. FOR DISCUSSION OF ANY OF THE DRAFT PROSPECTS ABOVE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.

5/5