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2019 NFL Draft: Running back rankings

By Bryan Perez

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Ranking the top running back prospects in the 2019 NFL draft

The 2019 NFL Draft isn’t overflowing with elite running back prospects and the position could end up getting shut out of the first round altogether. But there are several talented second and third-round guys who have starter’s potential.

Below are With The First Pick’s post-combine 2019 running back rankings. More running backs will be added to this list over the next month or so. Rankings are fluid and will be updated as the NFL draft approaches.

MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

1.

Josh Jacobs RB

Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide /

Combine results

Jacobs is an exceptionally talented running back and he deserves to be atop this list, but his Pro Day will be an important step for him to maintain this ranking (he didn’t test at the 2019 NFL combine). Jacobs wasn’t used much at Alabama, which isn’t a negative for his NFL evaluation,  but it does make his projection a leap of faith. He had 120 carries for 640 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2018 and added three touchdowns as a receiver. He’s been compared to Saints star Alvin Kamara for his multi-dimensional skill-set, but I think that’s a bit rich. Jacobs is a patient runner who runs with good leg drive and can change directions effortlessly for a big guy (5-10, 220 pounds). He’ll make opposing tacklers earn their paychecks and will be the kind of running back who can shoulder a 20-plus carry workload on the next level. I don’t think he’ll be one of the NFL’s superstars at the position, but he’ll certainly hold down a starting job through his first contract in the league.

2.

Miles Sanders RB

Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions /

Combine results

GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Running back Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes the football against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Running back Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes the football against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Sanders continues to climb up my draft board and could end the process as my RB1. His NFL Combine performance was outstanding and confirmed all of the athletic traits he displays on film. The only thing that stopped him from accruing elite production at Penn State was the presence of Saquon Barkley, who Sanders looks like he’s modeled some of his game after. Sanders checked in at 5-11, 211 pounds and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, a size-speed combination that checks NFL starter’s boxes. In his only season as the full-time starter, Sanders ran for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns (5.8 yards per carry). He’s a dynamic playmaker who keeps defenders guessing on the second level with his sudden and effective cuts. Sanders will be a second-round pick and a starting running back in the NFL next fall.

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