The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy lists the top 10 running backs in this year’s NFL Draft, based on evaluations and conversations with league officials.
1. Jalen Wright, Tennessee, 5-10, 210
A home run batter who can start and stop for 10 cents. He gained 10 or more yards on 25.4 percent of his carries last season, according to NFL.com. Breaks second-level tackles (average of 4.35 yards after contact). Like many rookies, he could struggle in pass protection.
2. Jonathan Brooks, Texas, 6-0, 216
He is currently recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in November. He has soft hands and makes the first tackler miss, potentially leading to a three-down. Fresh legs with two 2023 draft picks and just 256 career touches. He takes too many moves to get into the hole.
3. Blake Colm, Michigan State, 5-8, 205
He was a compact, powerful back who bench-pressed 225 pounds and performed like an offensive lineman. Find a small wrinkle and go downhill. Make everything bigger than your size, including blocks. Michigan state record 56 career rushing touchdowns.
4. Trey Benson, Florida State, 6-0, 216
I’m happy to punish you. Bodie is built to withstand the strain of a feature back, but he averaged about 10 carries per game until mid-November. Zero career failures. He is a big-play weapon with four gains of 50 yards or more. Third-down role is undetermined.
5. Bucky Irving, Oregon State, 5-9, 192
In addition to rushing for 1,000 yards for the second straight season, he led FBS running backs with 56 catches. One failure in his career. He changes directions at full speed on tape, but he didn’t show the same level of explosiveness (4.55 seconds for the 40 yards) at the NFL Combine.
6. Marshawn Lloyd, University of Southern California, 5-9, 220
A patient runner who accelerates through holes and isn’t afraid of contact. Creating something from nothing with dynamic cuts. He’s not a prolific ball carrier, but he averaged 7.1 yards in 2023. He is also enthusiastic about body-up blitzers.
7. Audric Estim, Notre Dame Cathedral, 5-11, 221
The New York native is a workhorse between the tackles and wears down defenses with yards after contact (14 runs of 20 yards or more; he lowers his pads when he sniffs the goal line (18 rushing touches last season). Down). Ball security and 40 yard) dash time (4.71 seconds) are a concern.
8. Ray Davis, Kentucky, 5-8, 211
He gained 280 yards and three touchdowns against Florida. A decisive north-south runner who maintains contact balance. The plug-and-play clock ticks after 746 college carries. He lacks top-end speed, but he does have an added pass-catching element. He scored seven of his 21 touchdowns as a receiver last season.
9. Braylon Allen, Wisconsin, 6-1, 235
The prototypical Wisconsin power back looked miscast in a pass-oriented offense last season. Scored 35 rushing touchdowns in 35 career games. Not a lot of finesse, just toughness, hard arm in short yards, and blocking. A 20-year-old who just started his rookie season.
10. Will Shipley, Clemson, 5-11, 206
Over his three-year career, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, 7.1 yards per catch, and 26.6 yards per kickoff return (scoring 33 touchdowns). If he can’t pass you, he will spin, hop, or go over the hurdle and then come down. I lose some concentration.
Oversleeping in the morning
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue, 5-11, 209
A fifth-year receiver (four years at Iowa, where he tries to pass) who accepted a late position change. Big Ten best average of 6.3 yards per carry. Although he is a slippery runner, he sometimes misses open lanes. On special teams, he plays as a returner (98 yards for a touchdown) and as an ace on coverage teams.
fall rapidly
Dillon Johnson, Washington State, 5-11, 217
He has played the past two seasons primarily with hip, knee, foot, ankle and hamstring injuries (missing two games). Although he is a solid pass catcher, his 40-yard dash time of 4.68 seconds was slower than expected. He was a true “gamer” who played his best game against highly ranked opponents.
the wonders of a small school
Dylan Raub, New Hampshire, 5-10, 206
The versatile weapon has 405 carries, 117 catches, 3,117 yards from scrimmage and four total special teams touchdowns over the past two seasons. Runs a series of clever moves out of the backfield and crisp routes out of the slot.
