NFL Draft 2020 - The Running Back Class

Although there isn't near as much talent at the running back position as has been available in the more recent years, there's certainly a demand. Teams such as Buffalo and Miami figure to need a starting running back and teams like Detroit, Kansas City and Philadelphia will most likely be searching for another backup to add depth. For the second year in a row, there's only one projected running back taken in the first round, although I expect there to either be two taken in the first round or none.

D'Andre Swift from Georgia is expected to be the first back selected in the draft. He's projected to be a first-round pick, which is somewhat surprising to me although he certainly has a ton of potential. Swift has seen action in each of his last three seasons with the Bulldogs and he's improved each year. His sophomore year (2018), he had 1,049 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns meanwhile last year he accumulated 1,218 yards and eight touchdowns. The Buccaneers and Bills have emerged as frontrunners for Swift's new home.

The most NFL-ready running back in this year's class, in my opinion, is Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor. He's been a three-year starter and has been consistently one of the best in the country. His freshman year he ran for 1,977 yards with 13 touchdowns. Taylor followed that up with 2,194 yards and 16 touchdowns his second campaign and 2,003 yads with 21 touchdowns last season. The Packers, Steelers and Bills have all been mentioned as potentially drafting the stud who finished his college career second in Big Ten history in rushing yards.

Moving down the list, J.K. Dobbins could be a future NFL superstar. He's a projected second round pick and is coming off the best campaign of his college career. Dobbins has seen his role increase with Ohio State each of the last three seasons. He ran for 2,003 yards with 21 touchdowns this previous year and he's also a great pass catcher. Although he wasn't overly impressive his first two years with the Buckeyes, Dobbins has his eyes set on proving that last year wasn't a fluke. The Texans and Dolphins have both shown interest in selecting Dobbins.

The last two big names on the board are Florida State's Cam Akers and LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Both of these guys are coming off of outstanding seasons, and they have both drawn many comparisons to their college predecessors Dalvin Cook (Akers) and Leonard Fournette (Edwards-Helaire). These two running backs are drawing interest from similar teams in the Texans and Jets to name a few. Akers figures to be the more NFL-prepared between the two, although Edwards-Helaire could be dominant as well with a little bit of fine-tuning.