It’s always a fun exercise to compare positional groups from different draft classes. We’re coming off the heels of a brilliant 2020 group, which had 18 running backs selected. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the lone first-rounder being taken by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 32nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. In the second round, we saw five running backs selected. It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen such a talented group, but the 2021 running back class might have something to say about that.
The headliner of the 2021 group is Clemson’s electrifying Travis Etienne. It was a surprise to many that Etienne opted to return to school, rather than declare for the 2020 Draft, but it says a lot about his commitment to finishing what he started.
Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard was nothing short of sensational in 2019, as his spectacular season put him on the map as one of the best running backs in college football. Other running backs worth monitoring in the 2021 class include Alabama’s Najee Harris, Kansas’ Pooka Williams, and Louisville’s Javian Hawkins.
One of the hottest debates when it comes to the NFL is the value of the running back position. We’ve seen questions as to whether or not spending a first-round pick on a running back is a wise decision. Also, it’s debated whether it’s worth giving a running back a big-time payday.
Recently, we’ve seen the Los Angeles Rams give Todd Gurley a lucrative extension, only to release him less than two years later. We saw the same with Devonta Freeman in Atlanta and David Johnson in Arizona. In 2018, the New York Giants opted to select Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the second pick of the draft despite having a major need at quarterback, with the likes of Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson available.
Bottom line: Running backs are paramount to the success of NFL offenses, but teams must be careful with the draft compensation and financial resources used to secure them.
We can talk value of the running back position until we are blue in the face, but let’s discuss what we came here for. Which is the better running back class — 2020 or 2021?
Comparing the 2020 and 2021 running back class
2020 running back class
The 2020 running back group has a chance to be something special. If I had to describe the group in one word, the word would be productive. Let’s take a look at the five prospects that give this running back class a chance to be historic.
Clyde Edwards Helaire (5’7″, 207 pounds)
When you watch film of Edwards-Helaire, you immediately think of former Jacksonville Jaguars’ great Maurice Jones-Drew. He is thick and compact but also possesses extraordinary quickness. In 2019, Edwards-Helaire carried the ball 215 times for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns, while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. A bonus with Edwards-Helaire is his ability to help an offense as a pass-catcher. Last season, he caught 55 passes for 453 yards and a touchdown.
He is going to thrive at the next level, playing in the high-octane Kansas City Chiefs offense. It was a bit of a shock to me that he was the first running back taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, as I thought that title would be won by D’Andre Swift. With that said, it is safe to assume an immediate impact from the talented runner from LSU.
Related: 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
D’Andre Swift (5’8″, 212 pounds)
D’Andre Swift has been on the radar of the draft community for quite some time and for good reason. He is an explosive game-changer, who has elite footwork and impressive balance. In 2019, he had 196 carries for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Believe it or not, these stats indicate a down year for Swift.
It’s about time the Lions gave Matthew Stafford an electric play-maker in the backfield. It won’t be long before Swift assumes the starting running back role over Kerryon Johnson, and once he does, watch out.
For my money, Swift was the best running back in the 2020 draft. When I watch film on him, I am reminded of former Baltimore Ravens standout Ray Rice. When it comes to the 2020 season, Swift should be the most productive rookie running back in the league.
Related: 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
Jonathan Taylor (5’10”, 226 pounds)
Make no mistake about it, there are serious concerns with Jonathan Taylor’s “fumblitus”. Simply put, he puts the ball on the ground too much; however, he has been the most productive running back in college football over the past three seasons.
In 2019, Taylor carried the ball a staggering 320 times for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns, while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. During his career at Wisconsin, Taylor scored an impressive 50 touchdowns in 41 games. When it comes to Jonathan Taylor, there is a lot of “wear and tear”, but his quickness and production are insane.
The Indianapolis Colts are an intriguing fit for Taylor, as their current starter, Marlon Mack, seemed to be getting the job done at a high level, but you can’t pass up great players because you have a good player. Taylor’s immediate production will be minimized a bit because he will be splitting carries, but for a player that comes with a bunch of mileage, that is a good thing.
Related: 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
Cam Akers (5’10’, 217 pounds)
Despite playing on a very bad Florida State offense, Cam Akers was brilliant in 2019. He finished fourth in the ACC in rushing, accumulating 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns on 231 carries. Akers was able to overcome a poor Seminoles offensive line by utilizing his shiftiness in the open field and his tremendous burst. He is a good receiver out of the backfield and possesses the ability to make defenders miss in the open field.
He will replace Gurley as the Los Angeles Rams’ starting running back, which means he will immediately face high expectations. Akers has the look and feel of one of those players that is a better pro than collegiate player. The Rams will need Akers to be as good as advertised to be competitive in 2020.
Related: 2019 ACC CFB Week 9: Cam Akers sensational season continues
J.K. Dobbins (5’9″, 209 pounds)
One of the biggest steals of the 2020 draft was the Baltimore Ravens’ selection of J.K. Dobbins with the 55th pick. Since arriving in Columbus, Dobbins has been a stud. In 2019, Dobbins accumulated 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns on 301 carries. His best trait is his elite contact balance, followed by his ability to play his best football under the brightest lights.
Dobbins lands on a Baltimore Ravens team that is absolutely loaded. He might not get a chance to be the “bellcow” right away, as the Ravens have a pretty good running back named Mark Ingram, but it won’t be long before Dobbins is one of the most productive runners in the league.
Related: 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins
2021 running back class
If you had to summarize the 2021 running back class in one word, that word would be “explosive”. The 2021 group lacks the household names that the 2020 class gave us, but it sure provides some firepower.
Travis Etienne (5’10”, 210 pounds)
If he had declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, Etienne would have been my RB1. When it comes to the running back position, Etienne is the total package. His speed is breathtaking, as he posted a 4.38 40-yard dash in high school. Every time he touches the ball, Etienne is a threat to take it to the house. He has elite tools, such as his vision and acceleration.
Etienne finished second in rushing in the ACC for the 2019 season, carrying the ball 207 times for 1,614 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging a mind-blowing 7.8 yards per carry. He is also a threat as a receiver, as his 37 catches for 432 yards and four touchdowns in 2019 would indicate.
Rumors have surfaced that Etienne could potentially enter the NFL Supplemental Draft due to uncertainty surrounding the 2020 college football season thanks to the coronavirus. Ultimately, Etienne will be fighting for a championship this season as a Clemson Tiger and is a surefire first-round selection in the 2021 Draft.
Related: Why Etienne is the unquestioned No. 1 running back in the 2021 NFL Draft
Chuba Hubbard (6’1″, 207 pounds)
Last season, Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard was fantastic. His play led him to be recognized as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and an All-American. He accounted for 2,094 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Hubbard is ultra-shifty, moving like a human joystick. He works well in tight spaces and his size allows him to produce significant yards after contact. He is a very patient runner and adds value as an excellent pass-catcher.
If Hubbard can have an encore performance in 2020, his name will be mentioned in the late first-round discussions.
Related: Big 12: Chuba Hubbard racing into the history books
Najee Harris (6’2″, 230 pounds)
When I said the one word to describe the 2021 running back class was “explosive”, Harris was the one outlier. With that said, Harris is one bad dude, built in the mold of other Alabama running backs to enter the NFL ranks, such as Eddie Lacy and Derrick Henry.
In a high-powered Alabama offense featuring the likes of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith, Harris still found a way to be highly productive. He ran the ball for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding another seven receiving touchdowns to the stat line.
His combination of size, power, and physical prowess is impressive. Harris almost never goes down on initial contact, as he can churn his thick legs to push for extra yards. He isn’t shifty and it isn’t always pretty, but the upright style he runs with is effective.
He won’t go in the first round, but it won’t be long on the second day before his name is called. His bruising running style will be attractive to NFL scouts. One thing to consider: Harris has always split carries during his tenure at Tuscaloosa, so there is not a lot of “wear and tear”.
Related: 2021 NFL Draft: Etienne and Harris among top five running backs to know
Javian Hawkins (5’9″, 182 pounds)
If you haven’t heard of the dynamic Louisville running back Javian Hawkins, make sure you get him on your radar. Hawkins was the ACC’s third-leading rusher, accumulating 1,525 yards and nine touchdowns on 264 carries in 2019. He doesn’t possess the size of a traditional “bellcow” NFL runner, but his speed, elusiveness, and underrated power makes up for it in spades.
His most impressive performance in 2019 came against the Clemson Tigers, which highlights his ability to play with the best. His size will have an impact on his draft stock, but he should find himself selected in the third round of the 2021 Draft. The NFL player that I see when I put on Hawkins’ tape is the Chicago Bears’ speedster, Tarik Cohen.
Related: Week 13 ACC Football: What happened to Miami “The U” football?
Pooka Williams (5’10”, 170 pounds)
Pooka Williams’ stat line for 2019 isn’t overly impressive. He ran for 1,061 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He also added 214 yards and two touchdowns catching passes out of the backfield. These stats don’t tell the whole story when it comes to Williams.
Outside of Etienne, there is no 2021 Draft prospect with a better combination of speed and acceleration than Williams. He can make defenders miss in the open field and has the long speed to run away from defenders as well. His shiftiness and elusiveness make it a tough assignment to bring Williams down.
Coming off of back-to-back 1,000 rushing yard seasons, Williams is poised for his best season in 2020. When it comes to his NFL Draft prospectus, Williams does come with some off-field baggage, but his skill-set makes him a lock to be selected on day two of the 2021 Draft.
Related: 2021 NFL Draft: Kansas running back Pooka Williams is a top sleeper
The verdict
While the 2021 running back class offers some serious talent, the 2020 class is superior. When you look at the top three players in each class, Swift/Dobbins/Taylor vs. Etienne/Hubbard/Harris, it is a tight race, but it would take quite the jump from Hawkins and Williams to bring the 2021 group to par with the 2020 group.
With all of that said, these two draft classes are injecting some serious running back talent into the NFL ranks and should be fun to watch over the next few years.
Winner: 2020 running back class
Listen to the PFN Scouting Podcast
Listen to the PFN Scouting Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Scouting Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Scouting Podcast on our Scouting YouTube channel.