Running Backs are getting less respect by the year as the NFL has become uber-pass and quarterback oriented. Perhaps the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers come the closest to playing old school football in which there is a strong balance between run and pass. Additionally, teams always have “mileage” concerns that even the best running backs eventually wear down to useless. For the 2020 NFL Draft there are two running backs that stand apart from the crowd. D’Andre Swift of Georgia and Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin are the clear-cut favorites with the NFL Odds to be selected as the first running back in the 2020 NFL Draft. Let’s examine the field.
We’ll have NFL Odds at Bookmaker.eu available for every game of the 2020 NFL season.
First Running Back Taken in 2020 NFL Draft Odds:
D’Andre Swift -118
Jonathan Taylor -106
JK Dobbins +700
Clyde Edwards Helaire +2000
Cam Akers +2500, AJ Dillon +6600
Zack Moss +8000
Anthony McFarland +10000
D’Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor’s emergence as favorites with the NFL lines should come as no surprise. Swift has the cache of being a top back for a great team in the SEC while Taylor was a record setter at “Running Back U” Wisconsin. JK Dobbins makes for a quality dark horse while Zach Moss is a highly regarded longshot.
D’Andre Swift – Georgia
Swift ran for 1049 yards in 2018, and 1216 yards last year. What is important to many NFL Scouts is that he has caught 56 passes over the past two years, which is essential in today’s pro game. He also has the advantage of playing in a pro-style offense and the toughest league in college football. Swift was First Team All SEC last year.
Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin
Taylor ran for a total of 6174 yards in his three seasons at Wisconsin while going over the 2000-yard mark in each of his final two years. Although he caught 26 passes last year, he had eight drops and can also have a case of the fumbles on occasion. His total of 925 career carries at UW is also a cause for pause to some NFL Scouts. Offsetting that is a tremendous work ethic and massive production numbers. Taylor set five NCAA records and was a two-time unanimous first team All-American and two-time Doak Walker Award winner, among numerous other awards.
JK Dobbins, Ohio State
JK Dobbins merits strong consideration based on being a complete back that never rushed for less than 1053 yards in his three seasons at Ohio State. Last year Dobbins ran for 2003 yards with 6.7 yards per carry and 21 touchdowns. Just as important to the NFL is that he caught 71 passes for his Buckeye career. In 2019 Dobbins was a First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten honoree.
VIDEO Zach Moss – Utah
Moss may be a long shot but he is also ranked as the best back in the draft on some credible boards. The reason is that he is a big back that can break tackles. Moss overcame a 2018 injury to rush for 1246 yards with 6.2 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns last year. For his efforts he was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. Moss also hauled in 66 passes during his time at Utah.
Clyde Edwards Helaire – LSU
Edwards is one of the most complete backs in the draft and an excellent pass catcher. Last year for the Bayou Bengals he ran for 1414 yards with 16 touchdowns and had 55 pass receptions. Edwards earned First-Team All-SEC honors and a national championship ring for 2019.
2020 First Running Back Selected in the NFL Draft Wagering Pick: D’Andre Swift
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