Who is this year's Josh Jacobs? The Raiders rookie rushed for 1,150 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt, and scored seven times, turning in a terrific first season in Oakland. Teams looking to similarly boost their rushing attack will have some good options with this year's class of running backs.
Top 5 running backs to watch at Combine:
1. D'Andre Swift, Georgia, 5-9, 215
Swift has a terrific feel for the game with excellent patience and vision. He was a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher for the Bulldogs the last two seasons and averaged better than 6.0 yards per carry in each season. He's good in the pass game, which is becoming more and more of a prerequisite for NFL teams when looking at young backs. He's the complete package as a runner.
View photos of NFL.com's top running back prospects attending the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins carries for a touchdown during the first half of the team's Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game playoff semifinal against Clemson on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire breaks away from Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (23) runs during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game as Ohio State's Cameron Brown (26) watches Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia running back D'Andre Swift (7) is topped by Texas A&M linebacker Ikenna Okeke (20) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 19-13. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
2. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State, 5-10, 217
It's not often a true freshman comes in and wins the starting running back job at Ohio State. It just shows how special Dobbins is. The Big Ten running back of the year, Dobbins was one of just three FBS backs to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards on the season (2,003). He's a no-nonsense north and south runner, who's scored 38 career touchdowns and proven to be extremely durable over his career.
3. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin, 5-11, 219
He was the Big Ten Freshman of the year after almost netting 2,000 yards (1,977) his first season in Madison. He eclipsed 2,000 yards in 2018 (2,194), averaging 7.1 yards per attempt, and did so again this past season (2,003). He's got track speed that shows up all over the football field. He's the top home run threat in the class. He rushed for at least 200 yards 12 times over his career and scored 55 total touchdowns.
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU, 5-8, 205
Rushed for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Tigers this past season, earning first-team All-SEC honors. He also caught 55 passes for another 453 yards and was a very good kickoff return man as well. He was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football. He's a low, compact runner with the ability to break tackles and run tough inside. He's a true three-down back with the ability to be a matchup weapon and difference maker in the passing game.
5. Cam Akers, Florida State, 5-11, 212
Led the Seminoles in rushing each of the last three seasons, finishing his career with 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns this past season. He also caught 30 passes and scored four touchdowns in the passing game. Ball security will be a concern for some teams. He's a former high school quarterback with a versatile skill set.
Combine sleeper to watch:
AJ Dillon, Boston College, 6-0, 250
A big back with plus athleticism and instincts, Dillon shouldn't be pigeonholed as just a power back. There's more to his running style than that. Rushed for 1,685 yards in 2019 with 14 touchdowns. He finds the end zone, scoring 39 career touchdowns in three seasons. If he runs well at the Combine, his stock could climb considerably.
View photos from the Detroit Lions' 2019 halftime shows at Ford Field.
Lions Legends Billy sims, Lomas Brown, Kevin Glover and Bennie Blades are honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legends are honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Doug English is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Billy Sims is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Lomas Brown is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Roger Brown is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Jason Hanson is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Herman Moore is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Joe Schmidt is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Lem Barney is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legends Lem Barney and Barry Sanders are honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions Legend Barry Sanders is honored as part of the all-time team at halftime of a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir performs during halftime of the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Youth Choir performs during halftime of the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Salute to Service themed halftime show during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne perform during halftime of a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Brothers Osborne performs during halftime of a NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Junior Cheerleaders performs during halftime of a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves is honored as part of the halftime Motown celebration during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves is honored as part of the halftime Motown celebration during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves watches as the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Martha Reeves watches as the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform a Motown tribute during the halftime show of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Lions need at the position: Low
Detroit seems to be pretty happy with its current trio of Kerryon Johnson, Bo Scarbrough and Ty Johnson at the position. That's not to say the Lions won't be open to adding another runner to the mix, but running backs coach Kyle Caskey was very complimentary of the trio when speaking to detroitlions.com at the Senior Bowl. He was looking forward to having Kerryon Johnson and Scarbrough healthy and together for more than just the two games we saw at the end of this past season. Both players averaged better than 4.0 yards per carry sharing Detroit's backfield the last two games of the year.
There are obvious concerns about Johnson's durability, as he's landed on IR with knee injuries in each of his first two seasons. When healthy, he's a good three-down back, and Detroit's found a nice complement in the north-south running style of Scarbrough. Johnson needs to prove he can stay healthy, otherwise running back could be a higher priority heading into 2021.
Key stat: Johnson and Barry Sanders are the only players in team history to rush for 1,000 yards and average better than 4.5 yards per carry through their first 18 career games.
