Scouting the potential 2020 RB draft class
I have a reason to scout future NFL draft prospects and i like opinions with reasoning..The 2020 NFL draft class could be strong at RB..With Jonathan Taylor, Cam Akers, D'Andre Swift, Travis Etienne, JK Dobbins, Najee Harris, AJ Dillon etc.
If you have watched them close, who stands out the most and why?
I see Akers as the most explosive athlete and physically ready but he also isnt at the level of some others like Taylor and Swift at protecting the football and finding extra yards..Akers isnt a natural but has untapped talent.
Who is the future Hall of Fame RB from that class?
December 25th, 2018 at 9:42 PM ^
Don't know, but I sure do hope Michigan gets some talent at the RB position. Seems like a position that is super thin at the moment. Hope I am wrong. Don't know how the Bowl game is gonna pan out with no Karan in the backfield. Gonna be RB by committee.
December 25th, 2018 at 9:56 PM ^
The last Michigan RB i saw as an underclassman and thought he had a future in the NFL was Chris Perry..I loved Hart but always felt like his best days were going to be those college years
December 26th, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^
Chris Perry was a STUD. Still so surprised he didn't pan out in the NFL. Can't remember if he had a bit of the injury bug.
December 26th, 2018 at 5:16 PM ^
Loved the guy, but he didn't seem all that explosive. He was a good workhorse back (IIRC he had 50+ carries in a game), and did get some run in the NFL for the Bengals, but it was honestly about as much as I expected.
December 25th, 2018 at 9:57 PM ^
Always bitching about something. I admit I'm surprised a little bit. I thought you would whine that Akers, Dillon and Harris aren't at UM right now.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:17 PM ^
BTW, did we ever hear more on Karan’s decision? Specifically, I heard rumors that he was passed about something but wasn’t sure if it’s true or not, so wondering if that ever left the “pure speculation” phase
December 25th, 2018 at 11:53 PM ^
Future running game looks great with Turner and Charbonnet. We'll be better next year with an experienced Tru/Evans and young bloods in Turner and Charbonnet
I think Turner is going to have a breakout game against Florida. I really liked how he looked in the couple games he got snaps in
Higdon was good but not elite. He couldn't carry us to victory. I think Charbonnet and Turner will be RBs that when all else goes wrong they could carry us to a W
December 26th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
I think you could be 100% correct about Charbonnet.
Regarding Turner, I think its clear that JH plays whatever player he thinks is the best. Thus, I would have a hard time thinking Turner could end up being elite considering he was sitting, best case scenario, 4th string RB (1. Higdon 2. Evans 3. Tru ).
In JH mind, it is quite clear that he has Evans and Tru ahead of Turner. That could certainly change...and I hope you're right and it does change.
December 26th, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
I hear ya but Turner was battling injuries this year, and sometimes it takes guys longer to grasp the playbook and pass pro. That Turner was buried on the depth chart behind proven guys like Higdon, Evans and Tru Wilson (who is very good at pass pro) isn't really an indictment of his talent or potential.
Getting reps, and now is the time, can help speed up a players progression too. But we shall see if Turner's potential shows itself soon enough. Either way, he should be in the mix next year. I don't see Evans as a true #1 RB, I like him as a player he's just not a lead back in a Harbaugh offense..so guys like Turner and Charbonnet have a real shot to be part of that rotation in a big way.
December 26th, 2018 at 2:43 PM ^
If pre-bowl hype about Turner is to be believed, wouldn't be surprised if Turner and Charbonnet get most of the carries next year.
December 26th, 2018 at 3:37 PM ^
If the "Pre-Bowl Hype" is real than Haskins will be an All American next year. JH said he seems the most talented of them all.
December 26th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
Higdon carries the team to victory at IU last year. No way they win that game w/o the long runs he broke off.
December 25th, 2018 at 9:51 PM ^
Ok...I think Jonathon Taylor and Etienne are NFL ready now.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
Etienne is putting up big numbers and is quick..The worry there is size, hes 205 last i saw..Taylor is a strong dude, good balance and compact build..is it him or that Wiscy stat padding run game?
December 26th, 2018 at 12:11 AM ^
He was great against Michigan defense before Chryst inexplictiably decided not to use him in the 2nd half. I believe he averaged 8 yards a carry before pulling him or run the ball with someone else
December 26th, 2018 at 3:38 PM ^
Etienne is a man! Dude has so much talent and excels in YAC.
December 25th, 2018 at 9:58 PM ^
Projecting an RB from this group to be a Hall of Famer is fraught with folly. I take Taylor from the group. He is stuck playing with a mediocre QB which allows defenses to focus on him...yet he continues to pile up the yardage. He makes great decisions and does not take negative plays and put you in long yardage situations. He has the power to pick up tough yards and finish runs yet enough speed to break long runs.
December 26th, 2018 at 3:39 AM ^
He also has ameer abdullah syndrome. Something about soap magically appearing on their hands when they touch the ball
December 25th, 2018 at 9:59 PM ^
Lets hope Chris Evans after a 1500 yard season. Why are you worried about the 2020 draft at a position that has so many variables in it?
December 25th, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^
I used my last lifeline on "ask MGoBlog"
December 26th, 2018 at 10:22 AM ^
I really hope we don’t run the ball enough to have a 1,500 yard back. Especially if that back is Evans. He isn’t a consistent 5-6 yard back. He’s the back that gets stuffed a few times and will break a chunk or two mixed in with 2-3 yard carries for the most part. It’d take a ton of carries to get him to 1,500 yards, which means grossly misusing this WR corps, and an experienced QB
December 26th, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
Evans hasn't shown that he can power forward and break tackles much. Really needs to be used mostly on the outside and I wish to god we would use him more on screens and short passes (PEP).
December 26th, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^
I'd be shocked if Evans was even close to 1,000 yards. He's just not the type of lead back for this offense. Love the kid, but he's not someone you can line up and run 20-25 times. More of a scat back.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:02 PM ^
Don't know about HoF but Swift seems the most immediately useful and the guy who can play on the highest percentage of downs. None of these other guys have the same fluidity and explosiveness as a receiver and he's close to Akers and Taylor as a runner.
Taylor, Dillon and Etienne have low enough target numbers that it raises questions for me. Particularly with Taylor and Dillon you'd think the offenses would be looking for other ways to get them the ball. Still could be productive rotation guys but that limits what you can do with them on the field.
Haven't watched Najee a ton but 2019 seems like a huge year for him to show what he can do. Dobbins needs to show he can do it without eating off of the QB run threat - big drop-off from '17 to '18 for him without JT.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:11 PM ^
The back with the best combination of vision, catching the call out of the back field, and o line success will be the best RB drafted.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:19 PM ^
Future hall of famer
Bo Jackson the fifth.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:20 PM ^
Just as long we get a one top10 back. Upper 4* will work. Then may be a couple prospects 3* or 4 * who could develop into a starters.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:22 PM ^
Al Bundy III. Once scored one TD in a game for Polk High.
December 26th, 2018 at 1:07 AM ^
I thought he scored 4 TDs in one game? (Or maybe 1 TD got exaggerated into 4 TDs.)
December 25th, 2018 at 10:33 PM ^
Based on Reputation, looks like Taylor Swift will be very difficult for opponents to deal with.
Stops drinking and goes to bed.
December 25th, 2018 at 11:33 PM ^
None of them.
Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson will likely be the last running backs elected to the Hall of Fame.
The game is trending away from 11-12,000+ yards potential.
December 26th, 2018 at 6:38 AM ^
Alvin Kamara has a shot. That dude is special. Also, nice job on utilizing him Butch Jones.
December 26th, 2018 at 12:38 PM ^
It's always fascinating when guys that you've never heard of despite being at big name programs become instant stars in the NFL.
December 26th, 2018 at 3:58 PM ^
Kamara was on everyone’s radar people
December 25th, 2018 at 11:45 PM ^
i'm spending my time thinking about the 2029 draft for punters - that's gonna be something i tell ya
December 25th, 2018 at 11:57 PM ^
Isnt Eno Benjamin also going to be draft eligible?
I think AJ Dillion will be a stud in the NFL. He's a bruiser with speed.
Najee Harris potential is yet to be seen. Youd think he'll be a good NFL running back due to his pass catching ability combined with running but we haven't really seen what he's capable of
JK Dobbins was very underwhelming IMO. He racked up a lot of yards vs bad defenses. Vs Michigan 46, Vs MSU 26, Vs PSU 57. These defenses were primarily defending the pass yet Dobbins still couldn't get anything going
December 26th, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
Eno has 1 more year before he can be eligible, I saw him in person 3-4 times this year and I’m still pissed we messed up his recruiting. And yes we did mess up his a few others in the clas. He should of been a Wolverine! At least he’s not at Iowa..... love that kid and how he runs
December 26th, 2018 at 12:35 AM ^
Don’t forget about Josh Jacobs. He has been ahead of Najee on the depth chart whenever he has been healthy and is projected as the #1 RB for Bama next year.
He has been underrated because he was not a big time recrinut Sa(t)an loves him
December 26th, 2018 at 3:50 AM ^
No idea, but Saquon Barkley is the best running back I have seen since Barry Sanders. I know it's been just one year in the NFL, but he is nasty...and I hate Pedo State and not a Giants fan here.
Adrian Peterson is/was incredible, but if Barkley stays healthy he will be up there with the Jim Browns, Paytons, Sanders, etc in the history of great RBs
Go ahead and neg away.
December 26th, 2018 at 6:36 AM ^
Dillon seems to have a body for it. Taylor does as well and he is really good but he may get to the NFL with a lot of mileage on him.
December 26th, 2018 at 7:36 AM ^
I don't know about Hall of Famer but D'Andre Swfit and Jonathan Taylor has impressed me the most thus far from that group.
JK Dobbins looked special as a true freshman but he suffered through a sophomore slump (and still reached 1,000 yards).
December 26th, 2018 at 7:51 AM ^
“I have a reason to scout future NFL draft prospects”
I can’t be the only one wondering what that reason is...
December 26th, 2018 at 8:36 PM ^
He has a serious fantasy football keeper league
December 26th, 2018 at 8:01 AM ^
Physical Challenge
December 26th, 2018 at 8:26 AM ^
Depends on the system they’re being placed into. I think Swift or Akers have the most natural ability (including pass-catching) and will have the biggest impact, just not as traditional rushers. If you’re looking for an old school bellcow three down back it’s probably Taylor.
December 26th, 2018 at 9:15 AM ^
I dont watch all these players, but swift is just as good as chubb and michel. He’s just a tad behind gurley.
December 26th, 2018 at 9:22 AM ^
I think Taylor is awesome. I know... Wisconsin RBs in the pros... but love the guy’s effort.
December 26th, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
I will give you a RB not on your list that will be a good value draft pick. Miles Sanders is being ignored in PSU’s offense but he’s talented.
December 26th, 2018 at 3:54 PM ^
2020 is by far the most talent deep class I’ve seen in 15 plus years of following recruiting. The QB’s and Skill spots are amazing, especially on the West Coast!
December 26th, 2018 at 8:47 PM ^
None of them. The nfl game has changed. So has the rb position.