Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: 5 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch

Jonathan Taylor is a certified stud. Coming in on some big boards as the number one running back in the class, Taylor possesses nearly every trait you look for in a bell-cow back, which is probably why Wisconsin has used him as such.

In his 3 years touting the rock for the Badgers he has accumulated 867 carries, an average of 289 carries per year. For comparison, in the 2019 NFL draft, the first 3 running backs selected (Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders, and Darrell Henderson) combined for an average of 107 carries per year, with Henderson leading the pack with 144, still 145 carries less than Taylor averages per year.

As stated above Taylor holds the traits to be extremely successful at the NFL level: the speed, vision, power, and from what we have seen this year he can also be a threat as a receiver. There were questions going into the year whether or not Taylor would be able to be a 3-down back at the next level because he lacked the production as a receiver. In his first two seasons, he combined for 16 receptions and 0 touchdowns; this year he has more than doubled his receptions (20) and has 4 receiving touchdowns.

Taylor has come out this season and put the doubters to rest solidifying his spot amongst the top of the running back class despite the depth, and could perhaps find himself selected somewhere in the first round.