Introducing the 2020 Draft Class
Now that the 2019 NFL Draft has concluded, many dynasty leagues are starting to conduct their rookie drafts. You may have heard a strategy to move back in the 2019 draft and acquire more 2020 draft picks. Why? Who are you moving back for? This is part two of a four-part series that takes a look at the 2020 draft class at the positions of QB, RB, WR and TE. In part two, let’s take a look at this elite RB class.
Part Two: Running Backs
Running backs in the NFL do not seem to matter as much as they used to in the 2000’s. More and more we see NFL teams employing a running back by committee approach, and true bell-cow running backs seem to be a dying breed. Today, there are a handful of backs that can be truly leaned on to provide a positional advantage. The 2020 draft class is loaded with talented backs that can come in and be bell-cows or lead a committee. Some teams that could be in the market for one of these offense-changing backs are Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Kansas City, Buffalo, Miami, and Houston. A lot of these offenses are talented and may be that one electric piece from putting them in a position for a deep playoff run.
1. D’Andre Swift, Junior, Georgia
5-9, 215lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9838, #4 RB in the 2017 class
Career stats: 29 games played, 1,667 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 6.8 yards per carry, 49 receptions, 450 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns
D’Andre Swift may not have the gaudiest statistics in the 2020 class, but he has the most talent. Swift split time with 2018 first-round pick Sony Michel as well as 2018 second-rounder Nick Chubb during his freshman season. Most of his collegiate production came in the 2018 season while splitting time with now-Carolina Panther Elijah Holyfield. This timeshare could prove vital to prolonging Swift’s NFL career. Despite a near-even split of the carries, Swift was still able to demonstrate good vision, elusiveness and a knack for catching the ball. His ability as a pure runner is on par with the top names in this class, but what separates him from the others is his receiving ability. Swift dominated in the passing game for Georgia, finishing third on the team in receptions and sixth in receiving yards. The 2019 campaign should see the Georgia Bulldogs as an elite team making a playoff push once again, but this time Swift will be the feature back in Athens.
2. Travis Etienne, Junior, Clemson
5-10, 215lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9171, #15 RB in the 2017 class
Career stats: 28 games played, 2,424 rushing yards, 37 rushing touchdowns, 7.8 yards per carry, 17 receptions, 135 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns
Travis Etienne is a freak. He is rumored to have run the 40 yard dash in under 4.4 seconds, and has demonstrated this speed weekly for the Clemson Tigers. His production profile is bonkers. Etienne played a vital role in the Tigers National Championship run last season by finishing with over 1,650 yards and 24 TDs in his true sophomore campaign. It was enough to be named a Doak Walker Award finalist, a second-team All-American by the Associated Press (AP), the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) offensive player of the year, and the ACC player of the year. While his receiving numbers aren’t nearly as good as Swift’s, Etienne does not appear incapable as a receiver, and his lack of production may be a schematic issue with Clemson. It’s something to keep an eye on in 2019. As Clemson gears up for its title defense, Etienne will again be the workhorse that can put the team on his back for an entire season.
3. Jonathan Taylor, Junior, Wisconsin
5-11, 219lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8854, #24 RB in the 2017 class
Career stats: 27 games played, 4,171 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 6.9 yards per carry, 16 receptions, 155 receiving yards
While Etienne has some eye-popping stats, Jonathan Taylor is playing a video game on the easiest level. Taylor is the “Road to Glory” player you made in NCAA14 (R.I.P.) and torched the competition every week. Taylor averaged over 150 yards and more than one TD a game through two full seasons. His accolades reflect these absurd numbers as he has garnered: the Doak Walker Award, an unanimous AP first-team All-American nod, two first-team All-Big Ten honors, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the Big Ten Running Back of the Year, two Maxwell Award semi-finalist nods, and is a two-time Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist. Taylor has a serious shot at finishing in the top-five all-time in NCAA rushing yards with a strong 2019 season. I have him as my RB3 in this class, though, due to his lack of usage in the passing game. I am uncertain if he can be an asset as a pass-catcher when he enters the NFL, but Melvin Gordon had similar poor receiving stats at Wisconsin and he has shown the ability to be a very productive receiving back at the NFL level. Taylor should put up close to 2,000 yards rushing (for the third time) in 2019, and is in the conversation for RB1 in the 2020 class.
4. Eno Benjamin, Junior, Arizona State
5-10, 201lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9400, #6 RB in the 2017 class
Career stats: 22 games played, 1,784 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 5.5 yards per carry, 40 receptions, 278 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns
This is where I perceive to be a tier break for the 2020 RBs. Swift, Etienne, and Taylor are all in the running for RB1. I do not foresee Eno Benjamin launching himself into that conversation. Benjamin is one of the highest rated recruits to ever attend Arizona State, and is just starting to hit his peak for the Sun Devils. The 2018 campaign was his first season as a full-time starter. He made the most of his opportunity by posting over 1,600 yards and 16 TDs. While his rushing numbers from 2018 are good, his receiving ability is what launched him into my top-five. Benjamin finished third on the team in receptions, and fifth in receiving yards. I expect the Sun Devils to lean more on Benjamin in 2019 with the departure of first-rounder N’Keal Harry. A near-2,200 scrimmage yards season is certainly in his realm of outcomes.
5. Cam Akers, Junior, Florida State
5-11, 212lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9984, #2 RB in the 2017 class
Career stats: 25 games played, 1,731 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 4.9 yards per carry, 39 receptions, 261 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns
Cam Akers has quietly been one of the better backs in college football since his freshman year in 2017. Akers has had to deal with a poor team that often-faced negative game script, yet has produced at a respectable level. The Seminoles are improving, and Akers should be able to see more positive game script in his junior season, allowing him to gain more rushing volume. Another positive for Akers is his receiving ability. Some of this is due to negative game script, but some of it is due to his extreme talent level. As the former number two RB in his high school class, Akers is a talented playmaker that has the potential to post big numbers in his junior season. Akers should be a riser, and don’t be surprised if he garners some national awards attention.
Names to keep an eye on:
J.K. Dobbins, Junior, Ohio State
Najee Harris, Junior, Alabama
A.J. Dillon, Junior, Boston College
Trey Sermon, Junior, Oklahoma
