The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 running backs in this year’s NFL Draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league:
1. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, 5-10, 210
Home run hitter who can start and stop on a dime. Gained 10 or more yards on 25.4 percent of carries last season, according to NFL.com. Breaks second level tackles (average 4.35 yards after contact). Like many rookies, he might struggle in pass protection.
2. Jonathan Brooks, Texas, 6-0, 216
Recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November. Potential for three downs due to limp hands and the first tackler missing. Fresh legs after just 256 career touches behind two 2023 draft picks. Too many moves before hitting the hole.
3. Blake Corum, Michigan, 5-8, 205
Compact, powerful guard who performed 27 repetitions similar to that of an offensive lineman on the 225-pound bench press. Find little creases and go down. Makes everything – including the block – larger than its size. A Michigan record 56 career touchdowns.
4. Trey Benson, Florida State, 6-0, 216
Happy to deliver punishment. The body is built to withstand a lot of features, but he was averaging about 10 carries per game through mid-November. Zero career failures. Big play weapon with four gains over 50 yards. The third down role is undefined.
5. Bucky Irving, Oregon, 5-9, 192
Led FBS running backs with 56 catches in addition to second straight 1,000-yard season. A career failure. Changes direction at full speed on the tape, but didn’t show the same level of explosiveness at the NFL combine (4.55-second 40-yard dash).
6. MarShawn Lloyd, USC, 5-9, 220
Patient runner who accelerates through holes and doesn’t fear contact. Can create something from nothing with its dynamic cuts. He’s not a high-volume running back, but he averaged 7.1 yards in 2023. Ready to beef up blitzes.
7. Audric Estimé, Notre Dame, 5-11, 221
The New York native is a workhorse between the tackles who wears down defenses with yards after contact (14 runs of 20+ yards. Drops pads when he feels the goal line (18 rushing touchdowns last season ).Ball security and 40-yard dash time (4.71 seconds) are concerning.
8. Ray Davis, Kentucky, 5-8, 211
Exploded for 280 yards and three touchdowns against Florida. Decisive north-south runner who maintains contact balance. Plug-and-play clock that ticks after 746 collegiate races. Lacks top-end speed but adds a pass-catching element: seven of 21 touchdowns last season as a receiver.
9. Braelon Allen, Wis., 6-1, 235
The classic Wisconsin guard who looked poorly pitched last season in a passing attack. Scored 35 rushing touchdowns in 35 career games. Not a lot of finesse – just toughness, short-distance stiff arms and blocking. Only 20 years old for a full rookie season.
10. Will Shipley, Clemson, 5-11, 206
Averaged 5.2 yards per carry, 7.1 yards per catch and 26.6 yards per kickoff return (and scored 33 touchdowns) in his three-year career. If he can’t outrun you, he will turn, jump, or go over an obstacle before going down. A certain concentration drops.
Late waker
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue, 5-11, 209
Five-year receiver (four at Iowa, passing trouble) who took a late position change. Averaged Big Ten-best 6.3 yards per carry. Sliding runner but sometimes misses the open lane. Special teams is excellent as a returner (98 yard touchdown) and on coverage teams.
Fall fast
Dillon Johnson, Washington, 5-11, 217
Played primarily due to hip, knee, foot, ankle and hamstring injuries over the last two seasons (two games missed). Confident pass catcher, but ran a 4.68-second 40-yard dash slower than expected. A true “gamer” who has had the best matches against ranked opponents.
Wonder of a small school
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, 5-10, 206
The versatile weapon has 405 carries, 117 catches and 3,117 yards from scrimmage over the past two seasons, plus four career touchdowns on special teams. A series of sneaky moves come out of the backfield and run crisp routes out of the slot.
New York Post
