With The First Pick
Fansided

Top 10 running backs loaded with day two talent for 2020 NFL Draft

By Jeremy Meek

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 28: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball while being tackled by Travis Whillock #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 28: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball while being tackled by Travis Whillock #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 21: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes for a touchdown during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Camp Randall Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 21: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes for a touchdown during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Camp Randall Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

7. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

There only three sure things in life: death, taxes, and Wisconsin running backs having great careers. For the past three seasons, Jonathan Taylor has been having an amazing one. Barring a disaster, he’s going to have a three-year average of over 2,000 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. That type of production is no accident.

He will now get two more opportunities on big stages to continue to make a name for himself: the Big Ten Championship game, and a bowl game.

Taylor certainly has the skillset of an NFL running back. He has powerful legs and won’t come down via an arm tackle. He isn’t as shifty in space as some, but as shown above, he’s elusive in tight spaces, and can slip ahead for extra yards. He isn’t a burner, but has enough speed to break some long runs as well.

A knock on Taylor is that he has been a workhorse for three straight seasons, piling up 900 carries in his career. Running backs have short shelf lives and this could scare some teams. Still, he is worth a second round pick, and could be one of the first backs of the board if a team ignores the wear and tear.

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