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- Kendall Milton – Georgia
Milton will only serve as depth or on the high end, a rotation piece at the next level. He has a bit of burst through gaps and can plant then accelerate well. Milton picks up chunk yardage with solid leg drive, a low pad level and an always forward lean. He is a good blocker with balance and also some good vision when picking up blocks or as a runner. Milton has shaky hands and lacks violence after the catch. He never had a full workload at Georgia and will never be tasked with that in the NFL either if he sees the field at all. Milton is great at getting smaller when squeezing through traffic which may give him some value.
Player Comparison: Jase McClellan / Justin Jackson
Projection: 7th Round – UDFA
Best Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta (Wild Card – Carolina)
- Blake Weston – Memphis
Weston is a dual purpose running back with lateral quickness, burst and a nasty sidestep and go move. He likes to bounce runs and make quick cuts that make defenders miss in space. Weston is a natural pass catcher and may not be super-fast but has enough speed to make plays. He does have a smaller frame and lacks strength. If he can improve as a route runner then there will be some more value for him even as a member of a practice squad.
Player Comparison: Tyler Goodson
Projection: UDFA
Best Fits: Kansas City, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh (Wild Card – Houston)
- Kimani Vidal – Troy
Vidal is a workhorse running back with a compact build and downhill runner traits. He has good balance, agility and instincts that allow him to find open holes. Vidal can absorb contact as a physical runner and he has a good initial burst. He has the size and toughness to hold up as a pass protector and he is a natural pass catcher as well. Vidal doesn’t have a wide plethora of routes in his route tree and he does lack elite size as well. His top-end speed is average due to his shorter legs.
Player Comparison: Royce Freeman
Projection: 6th Round – UDFA
Best Fits: Las Vegas, Arizona, Tennessee (Wild Card – Indianapolis)
- Emani Bailey – TCU
Bailey is a patient running back with good vision and knows when to hit cutback lanes. He has great initial burst, straight-line speed to pull away from defenders and can turn the corner quickly. He is a solid blocker on the outside. Bailey is a decisive runner and makes plays when he has the football. He is not a big enough running back to move piles and sometimes his patience turns into indecisiveness. He like to bounce too much when there are times to just hit a hole straight up the middle.
Player Comparison: Tyler Badie
Projection: 6th Round – UDFA
Best Fits: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Dallas (Wild Card – Denver)
- Miyan Williams – Ohio State
Williams is a short yardage power back and happens to be built like a stout tank. When watching him run, it feels like the ground is shaking. He is a reliable runner who fights for extra yardage. Williams has a smooth one step cut to the left or right before getting north and south. He has the size and strength to pass protect and is a patient runner. Williams lacks speed and does not give any third down receiving back value. Sometimes he bounces the run too much when that isn’t his game. Williams is coming off of an injury but may be worth adding to the practice squad.
Player Comparison: Jaylen Warren / Peyton Hillis
Projection: UDFA
Best Fits: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Green Bay (Wild Card – Buffalo)
- Michael Wiley – Arizona
Wiley is a third down back with exceptional ability in the screen game and the knack for following blockers. He has plenty of speed and can still serve as an interior mover. Wiley has quick feet, his straight-line speed helps him create separation and he rarely gets caught from behind. He is a natural receiver out of the backfield and flashes the ability to squeeze through traffic. Wiley isn’t an elite athlete, but still a threat. He tends to run too upright and he dances too much at the line of scrimmage.
Player Comparison: Zach Evans
Projection: 7th Round – UDFA
Best Fits: Arizona, Las Vegas, Denver (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams)
- Dylan Laube – New Hampshire
Laube could be a good depth/rotational piece in the NFL. He has burst around the edge, can plant and explode and he was a playmaker in college. Laube is an aggressive finisher with the ability to fall forward due to his low pad level. He plays bigger than his size and is a threat off the catch and run. He does tend to bounce outside too much and can be impatient. He is not a burner in open space but may see some action on third downs.
Player Comparison: Will Shipley / Deuce Vaughn
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: New England, Kansas City, New Orleans (Wild Card – New York Giants)
- Jase McClellan – Alabama
McClellan will likely be another depth or rotational piece who will need some time to develop. He has a long stride, takes a bit to ramp up with speed but can then get up to an impressive top speed. His leg drive helps him fight for yards and he is a one cut and go guy. McClellan shows decent patience as a runner, is unafraid of contact and happens to be a decent check down option. He is not overly shifty, has a small route tree and is decent in pass pro yet not quite aggressive enough. His major injury concerns are his biggest knock.
Player Comparison: Isaiah Spiller / Jeff Wilson Jr.
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Baltimore, Tennessee, Carolina (Wild Card – Washington)
- Jaylen Wright – Tennessee
Wright is an explosive running back with violence as a runner and top tier speed. He has plenty of lateral movement ability and can make defenders miss. Wright is decisive and he gets low which limits the contact he takes. He also offers receiving ability out of the backfield and is a natural playmaker. His stop and go acceleration is elite and he can outrun angles with ease. Wright has a slight build, lacks strength and struggles with yards after contact. He will need to refine his route running and misses some opportunities when looking for cutback lanes. Wright is a good player but seems to be almost overrated by most at the moment.
Player Comparison: DeWayne McBride / Jerick McKinnon
Projection: 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Tampa Bay)
- Isaiah Davis – South Dakota State
Davis is a workhorse running back who happens to be difficult to tackle in space. He possesses quick feet, straight-line speed and showcases a prototypical running back build. He does well at falling forward, has a competitive demeanor and he keeps his legs churning through contact. When Davis hits a hole, he hits it hard and grinds out tough yardage. He does need to get smaller when squeezing through traffic, doesn’t offer great hands out of the backfield as a pass catcher and won’t threaten to take the top off the defense.
Player Comparison: Chris Rodriguez Jr. / Tank Bigsby
Projection: 6th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Green Bay, Tennessee, Minnesota (Wild Card – New York Giants)
- Frank Gore Jr. – Southern Mississippi
Gore is a small workhorse running back with decent power, the ability to squeeze through traffic and an NFL DNA. He has fairly good passing game skills and he is fairly instinctive as well. Gore is a slippery runner. He lacks size and won’t move piles quite like his father did. He lacks separation as a route runner and needs to get better with his ball security. Gore is not afraid of contact and seeks it, even though his play style is similar to his father, he doesn’t quite have as big of a frame. Gore will be a late round shot with the potential to pan out quite well.
Player Comparison: Tyler Allgeier
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Indianapolis, Buffalo, Washington (Wild Card – San Francisco)
- Will Shipley – Clemson
Shipley will be a depth or rotational piece with value on third down. He has strong passing game skills and is a natural hands catcher with the ability to quickly turn up field. Shipley has quick feet, agility and is rather solid in space. He has good explosion up field and he is a mismatch for linebackers in coverage. Most of his damage is done on the perimeter because he can make people miss in space. Shipley runs with a rather high pad level, won’t grind out yardage on the ground and is not a patient player.
Player Comparison: Antonio Gibson / Chris Evans
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: New England, Kansas City, Houston (Wild Card – Atlanta)
- Daijun Edwards – Georgia
Edwards is a tough, compact runner with workhorse tendencies. He does great as a one-cut runner with the ability to accelerate quickly and show immediate suddenness. Edwards has balance, instincts and enough agility to see some time at the next level. He is good in the passing game as a natural hands catcher and he turns up field with ease. He is also dangerous in the screen game. Edwards is usually fairly aggressive and knows how to consistently fall forward. Edwards does try to bounce the run too often rather than picking his way through traffic. He is not a great pass blocker and needs to work on his patience as well.
Player Comparison: Chase Brown
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Arizona, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis (Wild Card – Jacksonville)
- Audric Estime – Notre Dame
Estime is a bruising workhorse back with elite power. He is a fairly smooth runner, flashes quick burst and showcases good vision. Estime has some patience to let the play develop and then hits the hole to get north and south. He can sidestep and bounce runs when the hole closes and when he turns the corner he will stay at his top speed. Estime is tough to tackle, seeking contact to level defenders. He doesn’t have a third gear, needs to try and avoid contact a little more and needs some more creativity. Estime tends to bounce runs more often than he should because his strength is just barreling forward. Estime should get short yardage work immediately.
Player Comparison: Braelon Allen / Trey Sermon
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Green Bay, San Francisco (Wild Card – Buffalo)
- Rasheen Ali – Marshall
Ali is an underrated running back in this class because he adds value on every single down. He always falls forward, shows patience as a runner and has good lateral movement. Ali’s breakaway speed in open space is excellent and he can turn and weave while staying at his top speed. His length helps him as a receiver and he also has decent hands. Ali does run too upright at times, causing him to lack true power. He is not a violent runner but deserves at least a look in the NFL.
Player Comparison: Jerome Ford / Pierre Strong Jr.
Projection: 6th Round – UDFA
Best Fits: Kansas City, New England, New York Giants (Wild Card – Cleveland)
- Dillon Johnson – Washington
Johnson could serve in multiple roles in the backfield for his team. He has rare size, strength and likes to get downhill. Johnson is not only skilled as a runner but also as a receiver. He is explosive after the catch, can break tackles and picks up yards after contact. Johnson is tough and likes to run inside. He is an excellent route runner and also flashes good hands. Johnson needs to improve in pass protection, struggles making defenders miss and needs to refine his vision.
Player Comparison: Zonovan Knight
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Houston, Minnesota, Arizona (Wild Card – Carolina)
- Ray Davis – Kentucky
Davis is an every down running back with a stout build, low pad level and lots of finishing ability. He has a little wiggle, absorbs contact and is tough when attacking north and south. Davis is a good blocker and his good hands help him to be effective on screens. He is a patient runner but shows quickness when needed. Davis only has average speed and is not a true power back. His route tree is limited at the moment as well. Davis has the potential to get lots of touches early in his career.
Player Comparison: Mark Ingram / Damien Harris
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Tennessee (Wild Card – Dallas)
- Bucky Irving – Oregon
Irving is a small, shifty running back with the ability to succeed as a change of pace third down RB. He will be an excellent complimentary runner to a power back. Irving is a good runner who waits for his blockers and finds cutback lanes. He is best as an outside zone runner and is excellent in space. Irving is a natural playmaker with return man value as well. Even though he is the top receiving running back in this class, he still needs to develop a larger route tree. Irving is not physically imposing and will never be a workhorse in the NFL. Getting him at least a few touches per game can keep a defense on their toes.
Player Comparison: De’Von Achane
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Kansas City, Indianapolis, New England (Wild Card – New Orleans)
- Jonathon Brooks – Texas
Brooks will be a good running back to split carries in the NFL. He is a quality receiver, especially on screens which makes him very valuable on third downs. Brooks has soft hands, turns the corner with speed and does well in space. He has quick feet, open field speed and happens to be a smooth athlete. Brooks is patient when following pulling guards. He does not possess elite speed and happens to be indecisive and hesitant at times at the line of scrimmage. Brooks has a limited route tree and will benefit increasing that at the next level. He is still recovering from an ACL tear that ended his season in 2023, which does lower his stock a little as well.
Player Comparison: Keaton Mitchell / Marion Barber
Projection: 2nd – 3rd Round
Best Fits: Philadelphia, Dallas, Baltimore (Wild Card – Cincinnati)
- Braelon Allen – Wisconsin
Allen is the biggest bruising workhorse back in this class at 245 pounds. He is also one of the youngest prospects in this class which bodes well for the length of his career in the NFL potentially. Allen possesses good speed for his size, is a violent runner and happens to be extremely reliable in short yardage situations. He always falls forward and is a natural playmaker. Allen offers soft hands as a pass catcher but is not a great route runner. He can be slow to gather the ball on the catch and then turn up field. Allen should get all of his work on first and second downs.
Player Comparison: AJ Dillon / Gus Edwards
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Minnesota)
- Blake Corum – Michigan
Corum is a small workhorse running back with tons of value on early downs and when in short yardage situations. He was an endzone magnet in college, scoring many touchdowns on the ground. Corum is tough, shows power and twitch and he is slippery. His vision is really solid meaning he will have success in zone run or power run schemes. Corum does well at keeping his legs churning, happens to be durable and can finish. He is raw in pass protection and does not offer great receiving ability. He is okay as a receiver but is better suited in other areas of the game. Corum lacks a ton of thump due to his smaller build and lost a step after his injury in 2022 which slowed him down in open space. Corum would do well with the opportunity of splitting carries in the NFL.
Player Comparison: J.K. Dobbins / Kareem Hunt
Projection: 2nd – 3rd Round
Best Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland, Green Bay (Wild Card – Arizona)
Watch as Cole unveils the top 3 – highlights included!
