AJ Schulte’s Top-20 RBs in the 2020 NFL Draft

Running backs carry an odd value in today’s NFL. In free agency, we saw numerous running backs wait to be signed, and many took lesser deals from what they could have signed for originally. Notable high draft picks were released, including Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon, who were former first-round picks. Due to the volatile love/hate relationship in the NFL with RBs, it makes it difficult to project the position in the draft. However, this projection does not diminish the talent of this class in any way. Here are my top RBs in the 2020 NFL Draft.

I’ve previously ranked my top-20 offensive tackles, top-50 wide receivers, top-25 quarterbacks, and my top-15 centers here for PFN. Please note that these are my personal rankings. These are not Pro Football Network’s official rankings, nor should they be confused with Tony Pauline’s grades. You can check out Tony Pauline’s running back rankings here.

AJ Schulte’s Top-20 RBs in the 2020 NFL Draft

1. D’Andre Swift, Georgia (First Round)

To no surprise, Swift is my top-ranked RB in the 2020 NFL Draft. Swift has an elite combination of physical traits and mental acuity in his running style. He looks like an NFL veteran on the field. He isn’t as physical as other backs on this list, but his decisiveness as a runner and finesse in the open field makes him a dynamic weapon. If there is a running back who gets drafted in the first round this year, it’ll be Swift.

2. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (Top-50)

I’m sticking to my guns with Jonathan Taylor and my evaluation of him. As a pure runner and as an athlete, Taylor is the best RB in the 2020 NFL Draft. His running style reminds me so much of Ezekiel Elliott, and between the tackles, Taylor is unstoppable. If he works on becoming a more complete back, the two-time first-team All-American will be a top-tier RB in the NFL for years.

3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU (Top-50)

Edwards-Helaire came ever so close to edging out Taylor for the number two spot here. As a receiver, Edwards-Helaire is my highest graded RB on this list. He runs with excellent balance and breaks tackles with ease. He isn’t the world-beater athlete that Taylor is, but Edwards-Helaire closes the gap in other ways.

4. Cam Akers, Florida State (Second Round)

Cam Akers running behind the Florida State offensive line is akin to the Dormammu scene in Doctor Strange. Despite getting beaten in various ways by Dormammu, Strange keeps getting back up and fighting. The same scenario applies to Akers. Akers consistently delivered big play after big play despite dealing with a porous offensive line. He can be a feature back with his explosiveness and toughness.

5. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State (Second-Third Round)

Dobbins is a rather polarizing player. He’s been ranked anywhere from RB1 to RB6 on many different rankings boards. I like the skill set Dobbins brings as an overall player. He’s the top RB in the 2020 NFL Draft in terms of pass protection. He’s a powerful runner with great balance. Dobbins will have trouble creating yards by himself at the NFL level, but he offers an appealing skill set of a modern NFL back.

6. Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State (Third Round)

This is my biggest difference from other rankings, but I couldn’t help but put Evans here. I liked him on the first watch, but it wasn’t until I got into my rewatch that I began to appreciate his patience as a runner and his explosiveness. The NFL is looking for explosive and versatile options at RB, and Evans excels in those categories. People who loved Darrell Henderson in last year’s draft should love Evans this year.

7. Eno Benjamin, Arizona State (Third Round)

Benjamin entered the season ranked highly by many analysts, but an up-and-down season lowered his spot among the 2020 RB class. He is a bowling ball of balance and power in the open field but needs to continue developing his discipline as a runner. Too often, he caused a negative play trying to make a positive one. Overall, Benjamin can play on all three downs and can be a workhorse back for the team that drafts him.

8. Zack Moss, Utah (Third Round)

Moss is a good runner who can play on all three downs. Buyer beware with Moss, however. He’s a power-style back who already has had numerous injuries, including a meniscus and a shoulder injury, and even hurt his hamstring at the NFL Combine. Those injuries took a toll on his dynamic ability as a runner and give me caution as to how he’ll fare at the NFL level. If he can stay healthy, Moss can be an effective lead workhorse back.

9. Joshua Kelley, UCLA (Fourth Round)

I feel like Kelley has been lost in the conversation among the top RBs in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s an effective one-cut-style runner who consistently churns out extra yardage. Kelley also demonstrated excellent hands as a receiver, adjusting to several high throws this season. Kelley will be earning an effective chunk of an RB committee at the next level.

10. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt (Fourth Round)

Much like Akers, Vaughn was the victim of subpar blocking in front of him. He had to fight behind or at the line of scrimmage on virtually every play due to the blocking upfront. Vaughn is a tough, physical runner with good long speed to bust a big play. The Vandy product isn’t a dynamic enough runner to be a feature lead back, but he can be an effective rotational back given the league’s preference for committees.

11. Lamical Perine, Florida (Fourth Round)

12. Anthony McFarland, Maryland (Fourth Round)

13. Salvon Ahmed, Washington (Fourth Round)

Ahmed is a fun incarnate in the open field. One of the most dynamic and explosive runners in this class, Ahmed is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. He’s also an effective receiver, which, combined with his speed, brings an exciting weapon into the fold. To be a more effective runner, Ahmed has to improve his decisiveness, as he oftentimes hesitates slightly, which is enough for the defense to adjust.

14. Darius Anderson, TCU (Fifth Round)

15. James Robinson, Illinois State (Fifth Round)

16. Raymond Calais, Louisiana (Fifth Round)

17. Sewo Olonilua, TCU (Fifth-Sixth Round)

18. A.J. Dillon, Boston College (Sixth Round)

Dillon began getting Derrick Henry comparisons after the NFL Combine. That’s rather rich for Dillon. Boston College’s all-time rushing leader is a powerful runner, but he struggles to make guys miss and did not show any skills as a receiver. As a pure athlete, he doesn’t have the burst or freakishness that Henry showed, and shows, on tape. Dillon can be an effective power runner, but I’m not sold on him being anything else.

19. Michael Warren, Cincinnati (Sixth Round)

20. Brian Herrien, Georgia (Seventh Round)

AJ Schulte is an NFL Draft Analyst for PFN. You can follow him on Twitter @AJDraftScout and follow Pro Football Network @PFN365.