2020 NFL Draft Preview: Running back sleepers and Broncos fits

The Broncos are looking for help at the running back position. While there are some interesting names in free agency, they are most likely to add a running back in the 2020 NFL Draft.

One could say the Broncos are trying to upgrade the position behind starting running back Phillip Lindsay. They currently have Royce Freeman as the No. 2 back on the depth chart and he’s been mostly disappointing as a runner in his two pro seasons while impressing more than expected as a receiving back. The team needs a back they can trust behind Lindsay, and one who could push Freeman out of his top reserve spot.

One could also speculate that the Broncos are looking to upgrade from Lindsay himself. He’s been impressive as a runner, becoming the first undrafted free agent to rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons to begin a pro career. However, Lindsay has not looked natural as a receiver. He has 70 catches over the first two years of his career (35 each year) but in this offense, they need someone who can do good things with 50, 60 and perhaps 70 (or more) receptions out of the backfield.

The Broncos should see this running back class as one that lacks top-tier talent as there are no big-time game changers like Ezekiel Elliott or Christian McCaffrey. However, there is a solid group of backs at the top of the draft with varying skill sets. The mid rounds should have good choices available to the Broncos, and there’s even some late-round prospects I think could easily outplay their draft position.

In this article, I will look at the market for the position. I’ll also write about sleepers at the running back position and some players who could fit what the Broncos need in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Market Watch

There are three running backs who could go at the end of the first round. I have D’Andre Swift from Georgia as the top back in this class, although I am admittedly splitting hairs between him and guys like Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) and J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State).

Swift is my favorite because of his all-purpose ability. He’s smooth as a runner and can make defenders look silly as a receiver out of the backfield. Swift has a hard-charging style and he doesn’t have to lose much speed when changing direction in the open field.

Taylor is an incredibly productive runner who can dominate with power on the ground. He’s one of two running backs in NCAA history (Troy Davis, Iowa State was the other) with back-to-back 2,000-yard rushing seasons. Taylor is a power back, but I love his patience as a runner and how he allows blocks to fully develop in front of him before bursting through the hole. He does have ball-security issues and is not a dynamic receiving option with too many concentration drops.

Dobbins is really fun to watch. He’s built strong and known as a tough player who played some of his best football in big games. Dobbins is known to grind through contact and he’s tough to bring down when he builds a head of steam. He’s not as creative as a runner as Swift is, but Dobbins has a get-it-and-go style that would be a good fit for what the Broncos do on offense. It’s likely one of the reasons why they held a formal interview with Dobbins at the Scouting Combine earlier this year.

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Sleepers

As I traveled across the country on the “All-Star road trip” back in January, I kept running across mid- and late-round running backs who caught my eye. You can’t really see the best of a running back at an All-Star game, but you can see how they move and cut and what kind of vision they have when running through trash at the line of scrimmage.

When I was at the East-West Shrine Bowl, I saw Notre Dame running back Tony Jones Jr. He was a standout player during the week of practice at that game. Jones has good vision as a runner and rarely takes false steps. He’s not a fast running back, but he’s disciplined and plays with good pad speed. Jones is strong and that helps him in pass protection, as well.

The next week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, I was able to see one of my favorite running backs in this draft class when watching Antonio Gibson from Memphis. He is an excellent receiver who can line up in the slot and run routes if tasked to do that. Gibson doesn’t have much wear on his body as he was rarely used as a runner in college. In fact, he had more catches (38) than he did rushes (33) in 2019. Gibson even worked out as a receiver at the Scouting Combine but there are several teams I talk to that believe his best fit is at the running back position.

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Broncos Fits

The Broncos have a new offensive coordinator in Pat Shurmur. They are going to implement a gap system for running backs and that means no-nonsense runners are necessary for the best success. The team is also going to throw a lot of passes to the running back position, so any player drafted needs to have good hands and be a good receiving option out of the backfield.

Maryland’s Anthony McFarland reminds me a lot of Lindsay, but he weighs in around 205 pounds instead of 190 like Lindsay. McFarland can stack moves on top of moves as a runner and that makes defenders grasp for air when trying to tackle him. He has more long speed than Lindsay and I think McFarland is much more natural as a receiver than the Broncos starter. Injuries are a bit of a concern with McFarland and that’s why he’s going to be a late-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Vanderbilt’s Ke’Shawn Vaughn is a player the Broncos have interest in. He is a one-cut runner who is tough to bring down because of his intent and determination as a runner. Vaughn has good speed and doesn’t waste motion as a runner. He’s not overly creative with the rock, but instead chooses to patiently wait for the hole or the cutback lane then turn on the speed.

A.J. Dillon from Boston College is another back the Broncos are taking a longer look at. Unlike McFarland or Vaughn, Dillon is not a dual-threat running back. Instead, he’s a classic power back who can grind down a defense as the game goes on. He’s a two-down thumper who could bring some more toughness to the backfield. His nose for the end zone (39 career rushing touchdowns) means that Dillon would likely be the team’s goal-line back if they added him as a Day 3 draft pick.

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