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The 2024 NFL Draft class has been talked about extensively regarding the wide receiver and quarterback position and for good reason. With potentially five (!) quarterbacks projected in the top-15 picks and a deep list of wide receivers, it's easy to see why NFL scouts have been salivating over the game-changing potential these players possess. Maybe, just maybe, though, the running backs are being a bit overshadowed.
While the running back class doesn't boast as extensive of a roster as the receiving prospects, there is still plenty to like -- this includes a near-consensus top-10 big board with an array of talent and athleticism. Some of these players' landing spots will be team and scheme dependent, but at the top of this list, we see an intense battle for who could be the top back off the board. If NFL teams waver on Jonathon Brooks during his recovery from an ACL injury he suffered in November of last year, it could be Jaylen Wright or Trey Benson selected first at their position.
These players are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 on Pro Football Focus's RB big board. It is that close with these prospects, and their parallels run coincidentally deep. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of who these players are and what makes them tick!
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Who is Trey Benson?
Trey Benson was a three-star running back recruit out of St. Joseph High School in Mississippi -- class of 2020. After missing his entire freshman season with a complicated ACL injury, Benson returned to Oregon in 2021, appearing in 10 games as a reserve player. In 2022, however, the former high school star hit the transfer portal to play for Mike Norvell at Florida State. Benson went on to play in 26 games over his next two seasons, leading the team in rushing both years. He accumulated 2,266 yards and 24 total touchdowns as a Seminole, garnering second-team All-ACC honors twice.
Benson is a strong, athletic runner with a frame built to handle an NFL workload. He has good lateral agility for his size and runs well through contact. I've seen him compared to Najee Harris, but the former has much more juice. Trey Benson reminds me of Adrian Peterson in how he bounces off arm tackles, rarely losing speed.
Don't hear what I'm not saying -- I am NOT comparing Benson to AP, but rather evaluating some running-style similarities. Peterson had a bit more length in his arms and much more burst, but their 40-yard dash times are similar.
It's easy to see why scouts love Trey Benson. The style with which he plays promotes a ton of yards created. He was a menace in 2022 when he broke .51 tackles per attempt -- the highest mark since PFF began recording the stat in 2014 -- and has done so at the third-highest rate since then. He's also created the sixth-most yards after contact in that span. Benson broke many tackles on plays like this and was generally tough to bring down in the open field.
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) October 28, 2023
While Benson has all the athleticism to succeed in the NFL, a knock on him has been his vision, or lack thereof. In Lance Zierlein of NFL.com's writeup, he noted the former Seminole as a "big back who might need to table his desires to be an elusive runner and adopt a more physical, decisive approach as a pro."
It seems Benson will 'bounce' the run outside more frequently than desired at the pro level. He needs to learn to trust his eyes -- and blockers -- and finish runs with his physicality instead of dancing around defenders.
Who is Jaylen Wright?
Jaylen Wright is another three-star recruit who was the 38th-ranked running back out of North Carolina. Wright enrolled at the University of Tennessee in January 2021. He appeared in nine games and totaled 85 carries for 409 yards and four touchdowns the following fall -- 4.81 yards per carry for a true freshman.
Wright improved in 2022, rushing for 875 yards and 10 TDs on an increased workload, bolstering his efficiency to an even 6.0 YPC. Then, in 2023, he became the first Volunteer since 2018 (Jalen Hurd) to post over 1,000 yards rushing -- totaling 1,013 yards on an absurd 7.39 YPC.
Like his rookie counterpart, Wright rips through arm tackles like the cheap streamer paper you'd get at your generic 'party' store. He runs violently, knows how to make a safety miss, and is marginally more sudden and explosive than Benson -- particularly in the lateral agility department -- albeit in a lesser frame. Don't be fooled by his stature, however, as Wright brings a three-down skill set with his prowess as a pass-blocker.
Wright has more natural hands, too, and can run sharp routes utilizing his agility. The former Vol is near the total package, but his signature explosiveness is his primary draw.
11'2" broad for @Vol_Football RB Jaylen Wright is WILD.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xtE5mMvklC— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
While there's a lot to like about Jaylen Wright's game, he could also trust his eyes more when running inside. It is important to note that he improved regarding this in 2023, and his overall grade has gone up year-over-year, per PFF.
Comparing Wright and Benson
Wright and Benson offer a different level of athlete at the RB position in this year's draft, and the similarities don't end at their near-identical high school running back rankings.
In addition to their size and athleticism, they also ran proximal 40-yard dash times.
Had more in the tank i promise, but aye!! #BuiltByStorms @coachstorms 😮💨 https://t.co/PlLC9BkMgw
— Trey Benson (@trey_uno1) March 2, 2024
Jaylen Wright 4.38 40 yard dash 😳 pic.twitter.com/ZRWF90Wfrw
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) March 2, 2024
With the running back position, player success on the NFL field is more likely to depend on team situation. That said, Jaylen Wright is the player in this duo with a higher chance of success, regardless of his situation.
While PFF has both players at the top of their ranks, Wright has received more favorable grades in key advanced metrics. Wright does need to improve his vision, but he has proven he can do so thus far. In PFF's analysis, Wright graded better than Benson rushing behind zone-blocking, 88.8 - 72.7, and had a higher overall rushing grade of 91.2 - 87.2. His 'Elusive Rating' was 25 points higher, and he averaged .82 more rushing yards after contact per carry. Wright's athleticism, work in the passing game, and ability to run efficiently in any blocking scheme opens the door for immediate NFL success.
Jaylen Wright 2023 regular season highlights pic.twitter.com/oXwSD5uTbo
— CHANNEL TN (@CHANNEL_TN_) November 29, 2023
Jaylen Wright edges out Trey Benson concerning who has the higher overall ceiling, but both of these running backs have what it takes to make an impact for the team that selects them. This draft class is supercharged with athleticism and primed to boost NFL skill positions across the board, and running back is no exception.
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