The Cowboys will have a lot of options at running back in the NFL Draft.
As we get closer to the draft and finding out who the Dallas Cowboys select at pick 12, let’s look at the top weapon and biggest weakness of the the top running backs in this year’s draft.
Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
Best: Contact Balance
An important trait for any running back coming into the NFL is contact balance. The better a running back is at absorbing blows and bouncing off tackles the more punishing he can be and impose his will against the defense. Jeanty has elite levels of contact balance which is seen consistently on tape.
Worst: Snap Count
In three seasons playing at Boise State, Jeanty has racked up over 1,600 offensive snaps, that’s an insane amount. Running backs coming out college with a high snap count usually carry a high risk of injury or peak really early in their NFL careers. Saquon Barkley’s time in New York was very troublesome due to his injury history, he came out college having played over 1,900 offensive snaps.
Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
Best: Downhill Running
Hampton has the best combination of strength, toughness and compact frame. This gives him an exceptional ability to gain extra yards after contact and makes him very difficult to tackle. His ability to break through arm tackles and gain tough yards sets him apart as the best physical, workhorse-style running back in this class. His ability to fall forward for those few extra yards after getting tackled makes him an incredible downhill runner.
Worst: Creativity
You’re not going to see Hampton as flashy or making the highlight reel by dancing between defenders and snapping ankles. All too often Hampton goes actively looking for contact on the field. This can end impactful runs early or sees him getting wrapped up by defenders coming in from the side.
TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
Best: Burst
Henderson is a guy who can hit a home run at any moment. As soon as he gets that ball he’s off the mark and hits the hole quickly. This puts defenders immediately on the back foot and constantly trying to play catchup. He has rare burst and acceleration, allowing him to hit top speed quickly and break off long runs.
Worst: Vision
His great burst and speed comes at the cost of him misreading blocks or getting into the wrong running lane, which immediately kills the play. Instead of taking what the defense gives him, he’s always looking for the big play and gets bottled up as a result.
Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
Best: Patience
Judkins has an exceptional ability to read blocks, wait for the right hole to open, and then burst through with power. His ability to set up defenders and make sharp cuts allows him to consistently gain yardage, even in tight spaces. His contact balance is very good as well.
Worst: Long Speed
While Judkins has great power and strength, he doesn’t possess true breakaway speed, which can limit his ability to turn long runs into touchdowns. There are a lot of moments on tape you find him getting caught and tackled from behind.
Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
Best: Size/Speed Combo
At 6’0” and 224 pounds, he has the size and power to break tackles but also possesses some surprising breakaway speed, making him a threat both between the tackles and in the open field.
Worst: Lateral Agility
While he has a passable grade for his straight-line speed, he isn’t the most elusive runner in tight spaces. This limits his ability to make defenders miss and create explosive plays when the initial running lane isn’t there.
Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
Best: Center of Gravity
Skattebo is like a cannon ball that looks to wreak havoc with anything it comes into contact with. He runs with an exceptionally low center of gravity, with his size, power, and high energy running making him extremely difficult to bring down by the first defender. His physical running style allows him to pick up tough yards even when the blocking isn’t perfect.
Worst: Explosiveness
While Skattebo runs with fantastic power and balance, he doesn’t have the burst to consistently outrun defenders in the open field or hit big home-run plays. His game is more about grinding out tough yards than breaking away for long touchdowns.
Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
Best: Acceleration
Sampson has insane burst from the moment he gets the ball, think Dalvin Cook. He hits top speed quickly, allowing him to explode through holes and turn small openings into chunks plays. His quick first step makes him a dangerous playmaker, especially in space.
Worst: Pass Protection
Sampson’s smaller frame limits his ability to take on blitzing defenders effectively, and his technique in picking up blocks needs improvement. This can make him a liability on passing downs if he’s asked to stay in and protect the quarterback. This fact limits his ability to play all three downs.
D.J. Giddens (Kansas State)
Best: Agility
Giddens has some very impressive footwork for a bigger back. This allows him to make sharp cuts and change direction quickly without losing momentum, and given his size this makes him a nightmare to bring down. His elusive lateral agility also makes him dangerous in space and effective at avoiding defenders in tight running lanes.
Worst: Pass Protection
While Giddens has the strength and power as a runner, his technique and awareness in pass protection needs some serious improvement. He can struggle to pick up blitzes or sustain blocks against stronger defenders, which limits his effectiveness on passing downs.
Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
Best: Speed
Tuten ran an insane 4.32s time in the 40-yard dash at the combine so this one is obvious. But Tuten isn’t one of those “test well” type guys, his speed is seen and felt on the field. His rapid accelerator helps him get quickly into top gear and you see him leave the opposition defense behind constantly.
Worst: Decisiveness
At times, Tuten can be too eager to bounce runs outside instead of trusting his blockers and following the designed play. This can lead to missed opportunities for efficient gains between the A and B gaps, and given his speed this makes it all the more worse.
Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
Best: Physicality
Gordon thrives on breaking tackles and running through defenders, making him a workhorse back who can wear down defenses over the course of a game. His ability to impose his will on defenders makes him especially dangerous in short-yardage and goal-line situations. A true three-down back.
Worst: Pad Level
While his power and physicality make him a reliable runner in short-yardage and goal-line situations, his straightforward and upright running style can make it easier for defenses to target and tackle him. He lacks elusive maneuvers to keep defenders off balance and running tall limits his power and exposes his body to punishment, running the risk of injury.
