NFL Draft RB breakdown: D'Andre Swift looks to extend list of Georgia standout backs

The 2020 NFL Draft is April 23-25. Each day leading up to the first round, the Tribune-Review is compiling a positional preview of the top draft prospects.

1. D’Andre Swift

Georgia, 5-8, 212

A school that produced Herschel Walker and Terrell Davis has churned out Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel in recent years. Swift is hoping to follow in their footsteps. Swift rushed for 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry as a junior last season. This happened despite Swift being limited to 11 starts because of a shoulder injury. Swift also led Georgia in rushing as a sophomore. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at the NFL Combine.

2. Jonathan Taylor

Wisconsin, 5-10, 226

For a big back, Taylor has blazing speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL Combine. Taylor won the Doak Walker award as the nation’s top running back after his sophomore and junior seasons, and he was a finalist as a freshman. His least productive season was his first on campus when he rushed for 1,977 yards. He gained 2,194 yards as a sophomore and 2,003 as a junior before declaring for the draft. The issue with Taylor is whether he will continue to hold up in the NFL after amassing 926 carries in three collegiate seasons.

3. J.K. Dobbins

Ohio State, 5-9, 209

Dobbins punctuated his three years in Columbus by rushing for 2,003 yards last season and unseating Jonathan Taylor as Big Ten Running Back of the Year. He rushed for 21 touchdowns and caught two TD passes in 14 starts. As a sophomore, Dobbins rushed for 1,053 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns, and he totaled 1,412 yards as a freshman. He did not run at the NFL Combine because of a tender ankle.

4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire

LSU, 5-7, 207

Edwards-Helaire opted to turn pro after helping LSU win the national championship as a junior. He rushed for 1,415 yards and scored 16 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. He also caught 55 passes and returned kickoffs for the Tigers. This versatility makes Edwards-Helaire an attractive draft candidate. The drawback could be his small stature and whether he can handle pass protection at the NFL level.

5. Cam Akers

Florida State, 5-10, 217

A converted high school quarterback, Akers broke Dalvin Cook’s freshman rushing record when he gained 1,024 yards in 2017. He led the Seminoles in rushing again the next season, albeit with just 706 yards, but Akers enjoyed a bounce-back year in 2019. He rushed for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he also caught 30 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at the NFL Combine.

6. Zack Moss

Utah, 5-9, 223

Moss is one of the rare seniors in this running back class. A knee injury in his junior season prevented him from leaving school early, and it may have been a blessing. Moss finished his career at Utah by rushing for 1,416 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry, and scoring 15 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 388 yards and two scores. Moss started for most of the four seasons he spent at Utah. Moss injured his hamstring at the NFL Combine but still ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.

7. Ke’Shawn Vaughn

Vanderbilt, 5-10, 214

A redshirt senior, Vaughn spent time at two schools. He started out at Illinois and had a team-high 723 yards rushing as a freshman. But Vaughn lost his starting job as a sophomore and transferred back to his home state and Vanderbilt. After sitting out a year because of the transfer, Vaughn rushed for 1,244 yards while averaging 7.9 yards per attempt as a junior. He added 1,208 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior.

8. Eno Benjamin

Arizona State, 5-9, 207

A two-year starter at Arizona State, Benjamin emerged as a workhorse in his sophomore season when he had 300 carries for 1,642 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes and fumbled just once on those 335 touches. His workload decreased last season, yet he still rushed for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds at the NFL Combine.

9. AJ Dillon

Boston College, 6-0, 247

Dillon’s NFL comparable is the Steelers’ James Conner even though he’s built like Jerome Bettis. Despite his big frame, Dillon ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the NFL Combine. He was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2017 when he rushed for 1,589 yards on 300 carries. Dillon added 1,108 yards as a sophomore and 1,685 yards as a junior when he got another 318 carries. Such a heavy workload could scare off some NFL teams.

10. Joshua Kelley

UCLA, 5-11, 212

A redshirt senior, Kelley began his college career at Cal-Davis before opting for stiffer competition after two seasons. Kelley redshirted in 2017, then rushed for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. He added 1,060 yards and 12 scores as a senior.

Best fit for Steelers

Cam Akers, Florida State

If the Steelers are looking for a reliable, three-down contributor, they could do worse than taking Akers, a three-year starter at Florida State. He is expected to still be on the board when the Steelers make their pick in the second round, No. 49 overall.