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This year I got to study over 30 running backs in this year's draft class, and I have to say, while this class doesn’t quite have the top-end talent like we saw last year with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, there are a bunch of mid-late round guys that can be solid contributors at the next level. This class has a large array of running back archetypes from true bruisers to speed demons and ground-and-pounders, and had a bunch of guys that had really fun and enjoyable tape.

Let's get into the rankings.

Probably isn't the best idea to try to arm tackle Trey Benson! pic.twitter.com/YsXe8R5Ffs

1. Trey Benson

88.5 (Mid First Round)

I previously broke down Trey Benson’s tape here. I think he’s pretty great. He has true home run speed with good power and is extremely difficult to bring down. He is not the perfect prospect, as he isn’t the type of guy to make you miss in a phone booth and lacks vision, but makes up for it with his knack for ripping off big-chunk plays. I wouldn’t justify taking Benson in the first round due to the value of the position, but I do think you are getting the type of back that has gone in the back end of the first round in recent years.

2. Jonathan Brooks

84.5 (Late Second Round)

Jonathan Brooks is the back in this class that gets the most buzz, and while I do think he is a good player, he’s a bit overrated. Brooks is coming off an ACL tear but when he is healthy he is a very nimble back with good contact balance and agility. I have some questions about his vision and true elusiveness, but I still think he is a lead back in the NFL. He reminds me a lot of Melvin Gordon.

If Trey Benson gets open space, good luck. pic.twitter.com/LDynbOhmsF

3. Jaylen Wright

83.8 (Early Third Round)

Jaylen Wright is a back I'm a really big fan of and is the clear RB3 in this class to me. Super fast, a great athlete, upside as a receiving threat, there’s not much not to like about Wright. His vision isn’t elite, nor is his contact balance, but I think Wright still has massive upside despite these concerns. My comparison for Wright is Ronald Jones, who might not seem like an exciting comparison, Jones had a near 1,000-yard season with the Bucs in 2020, and the play style is eerily similar. 

4. Ray Davis

83 (Third Round)

Ray Davis is not an exciting prospect by any means, but he is very well-rounded and overall just a very solid back. Doesn't wow you athletically, but wins with good ball carrier skills, good vision, contact balance, power, and ball security. Davis’ best fit in the NFL in my opinion is a true RB2, similar to a Mike Davis type, but in a running back group that lacks top-end talent he lands at my RB4.

5. Issac Guerendo

82.6 (Third Round)

Issac Guerendo is a super fun prospect. He is super explosive and has all-time athleticism at the running back position. He excels in wide zone schemes and would be a great fit in any Shanahan-style scheme. The key to unlocking Guerendo’s ability will be getting him the ball in space. His burst is elite and he gets up to top speed very quickly. My pro comparison for him is Raheem Mostert, and is one of, if not my favorite comparisons in this entire position group.

6. Audric Estime

82.4 (Fourth Round)

Audric Estime has his stock fall quite a bit from his sluggish 40-yard dash time, however, I still believe he is a good back. While I had to knock him a bit for his time, I didn’t think he was slow on tape. He still showed the ability to break off chunk plays on tape. His vision is very good and is a very big and powerful back.

7. Kimani Vidal

82.3 (Fourth Round)

Kimani Vidal is an undersized back, but he is a good player with good traits. He is extremely fast for his sturdy build and it makes him very hard to bring down. On top of that, he is good in the receiving game and has good vision. He is also one of the better prospects in this group in terms of pass protection. He is not the shiftiest back in the world, and the low-level competition is concerning to some, but I do believe Vidal is a good player.

8. Michael Wiley

82.3 (Fourth Round)

Michael Wiley is a guy that I'm pretty shocked isn't a consensus top 10 back in this class. He’s a really solid player. Wiley has solid speed, power, and ability as a pass catcher. Another guy that isn’t going to stand out in one particular area, but he will carve out a career in the NFL by being well-rounded and reliable. 

9. Tyrone Tracy

81.4 (Fourth Round)

Tyrone Tracy is my favorite “shoot for the moon” upside pick in this year's running back group. He is very new to the position but is just an awesome athlete and an incredible receiving weapon. Incredibly dynamic with the ball in his hands. The ceiling on Tyrone Tracy is massive. He has yet to put it all together, but there are flashes of big upside scattered across his tape.

10. Blake Corum

81.3 (Fourth Round)

Blake Corum has been one of the biggest names in college football over the past year, but it has unfortunately caused him to become a pretty overrated draft prospect and have unrealistic expectations. Corum is a solid pure rusher and has great vision, but is very small, doesn’t do a great job of taking contact, and lacks game-changing speed. I see him as a low-end RB2 at the next level.

11-20

11. Braelon Allen

12. MarShawn Lloyd

13. Rasheen Ali

14. Dylan Laube

15. Bucky Irving

16. Will Shipley

17. Blake Watson

18. Dillon Johnson

19. Jabari Small

20. Keilian Robinson

Grading Scale:

1st Round: 86.5+

2nd Round: 84.5-86.4

3rd Round: 82.5-84.4

4th Round: 80.5-82.4

5th Round: 78.5-80.4

6th Round: 76.5-78.4

7th Round: 74.5-76.4

UDFA: <74.4

For the full grade breakdown see Instagram @KwonScouting.