2020 NFL Draft running back rankings and analysis-Swift not RB1?

The next grouping of backs that I think could definitely contribute to the team that drafts them in the 2020 NFL Draft right away and down the road. They may not be or become a true feature back, but these guys each have traits and strengths that would allow them to help their ball club from the get.

14. J.J. Taylor, Arizona

J.J. Taylor certainly doesn’t run like he’s only 5-foot-5. He is a tough runner who’s not afraid to use his low center or gravity to deliver a blow or break arm tackles. He really is one of the most fun players to watch in the 2020 NFL Draft.

He is a very good route runner and is fearless as a blocker. His size may lead some teams to pigeonhole Taylor as a third down receiving back, but he is a productive runner even between the tackles.

Also a great kick returner, Taylor could find the field early in his career and show that he deserves some more traditional running back touches.

Even more than the obvious Darren Sproles comparison, I see Taylor filling a role similar to Boston Scott towards the end of the season for the Eagles in 2019. He is tough as nails, effective in the passing game and has a nose for the end zone.

15. Anthony McFarland, Maryland

Anthony McFarland has a great blend of speed and power. In the open field, he uses his vision and 4.44 40-yard dash speed to take carries to the house. He is also tenacious through contact with powerful legs and great contact balance.

He has good vision and explosiveness at the line of scrimmage and is equipped to handle whatever comes at him. He isn’t very elusive, typically running around the defense or through them. He also was not utilized as a receiver hardly at all in his two playing seasons at Maryland, but is a decent pass protector.

After an ankle sprain in 2019, McFarland will need to prove that he is and can stay healthy to earn a large role in an offense, but I think he can contribute early and often, particularly on early downs in the NFL.

16. Benny LeMay, Charlotte

Benny LeMay is a compact runner with great contact balance and solid burst. He always runs his feet and churns his legs to fight for extra yards. He is a tough powerful runner with quick moves and good burst in the open field. He is very effective as a receiver and gets the job done as a blocker, allowing him to play on all three downs.

LeMay has the grit and ability that a late round pick needs to surprise and succeed at the next level and I like his potential as a legitimate contributor at the next level as another small school sleeper in the 2020 NFL Draft.

17. Lamical Perine, Florida

Lamical Perine’s best trait to me is his contact balance. Arm tackles and spears will not bring him down. He is a solid blocker and receiver out of the backfield as well, allowing him to potentially play on all three downs.

He has good patience and vision at the line of scrimmage and decent burst through the hole. Once he gets in the open field, Perine fails to impress. He isn’t very elusive and lacks top end speed. He should be able to contribute in a committee, seeing the field here and there.

18. Joshua Kelley, UCLA

Joshua Kelley excels as a receiver and pass blocker, but is a very strong runner as well. He keeps his legs churning between the tackles and keeps strong contact balance to shed tackles.

He has decent speed (4.49 40 time) but isn’t the most elusive in the open field. But he is a tough runner that can play in short yardage situations as well as third downs.

While he may not be a feature back at the next level, I’m confident that Kelley can carve out a role with a team in the NFL.

19. Raymond Calais, Louisiana-Lafayette

Raymond Calais is a very fast runner and an exceptional kick returner. As a runner Calais shows potential with his vision and feel between the tackles and his elusiveness and big play ability outside.

He is good on screens but isn’t used much as a receiver and is just okay as a blocker, limiting his third down capabilities. But his special teams abilities should give him a role right away and he could develop and a change-of-pace back in the future at the next level.

20. Javon Leake, Maryland

Javon Leake didn’t get a whole lot of run at Maryland, sharing time with Anthony McFarland, but he is a very explosive and dynamic weapon. With a ton of experience as a kick returner, Leake could find a role early in the NFL.

He doesn’t have elite straight line speed, but he has great burst when he finds space. He displayed good contact balance at points on film and is great on draws where he lets blocks develop before he gets the ball and can fly right through a hole.

I see a lot of Tony Pollard in Leake and if he can prove his worth on third down as a receiver and blocker he could fill a very similar role at the next level.

21. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt

Ke’Shawn Vaughn is a patient back who can hit the hole hard and use simple cuts to avoid defenders down the field. He has good contact balance and is a tough runner between the tackles. He is good in pass protection and became more and more involved in the passing game as a receiver his final two seasons.

He isn’t very elusive and doesn’t have high end speed, so I think he slots in as a back up in the NFL potentially seeing the field as part of a committee as a change-of-pace back coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft.