2020 NFL Draft Watchlist: Running Backs

The 2020 NFL Draft is absolutely stacked with talent at the running back position. In this first installment of our watchlist series, we preview five prospects to get familiar with.

In recent years we have seen the running back position and its value questioned by draft analysts. The main argument against taking a running back early, generally speaking, is that you can find value at the position in later rounds (especially if you’re already working with a talented offensive line).

The 2019 NFL draft saw just one running back taken in the first round and one in the second. The 2019 class may have not been as talented as what we’ve seen in the past, but it’s rare to only see two running backs taken in the first two rounds; there’s been an average of four running backs taken in the first two rounds over the last five years.

In fact, there have been six running backs to go in the top 10 in recent years: Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley.

The 2020 draft class projects as one that will be much, much better at the top. It will be one of the stronger running back classes in several years.

Here’s a look a five running backs who will rank high on draft boards next April, including two prospects who could challenge for top-10 pick status.