• FCS Standout, Isaiah Davis, made waves in 2023: The South Dakota State back is featured all over this list, capturing the top facet grade in a number of categories, including overall red-zone grade and goal-to-go rushing grade.
• Scheme fit will prove pivotal: While there’s no clear-cut blue-chip running back prospects atop this class, they all carry a specialized skill set that could flourish under the right role and conditions.
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The NFL draft season is well underway with the NFL combine and individual pro days in the rearview. Every player brings a unique skill set to the table, hoping to have their name called on the big stage. We’re breaking down the draft class’ best players at each and every facet, for every position, to get a more informed view of the NFL hopefuls.
These are PFF’s highest-graded running backs at each key grading facet in the 2024 NFL Draft:
Inside Zone Grade: Audric Estime, Notre Dame (90.7)
The second-team PFF All-American possesses a quality power profile but also displayed a level of vision and contact balance that allowed him to excel running downhill on inside zone concepts. Estime clocked over 40% of his carries running inside zone, generating over 76.4% of yardage after contact while forcing 0.38 missed tackles per attempt, the highest of any prospect with at least 50 inside zone attempts.
Outside Zone Grade: Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State (90.4)
The FCS standout was very effective in reading his blocking and picking lanes to attack, which allowed him to prosper in outside zone concepts. Davis managed an impressive 7.5 yards per carry in addition to producing a first down or touchdown on over 29.7% of his outside zone attempts.
Man/Gap Grade: Kimani Vidal, Troy (91.6)
No running back prospect in the class ran more gap concepts than Vidal (85) this past season. Troy’s all-time leading rusher, Vidal, was effective in these concepts where he utilized his vision, short-area acceleration and an array of moves to break defenders and gain chunk yardage. His 33 missed tackles forced and 16 runs of 10 or more yards on gap concepts are more than double the next highest producer in the 2024 draft class.
Power Grade: Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State (92.1)
Davis flashed the ability to remain patient for his blocking to develop before attacking creases with little hesitation. That approach fit South Dakota State’s power-heavy scheme, a concept in which Davis was able to generate a rush of 10 or more yards on over 29.3% of his carries. That explosive ability allowed Davis to produce a 54.7% first-down/touchdown rate on power runs, the highest among rookie prospects.
Counter Grade: Bucky Irving, Oregon (94.5)
The junior back out of Oregon was phenomenal when presented with counter concepts, as he managed to rack up over 547 yards and four scores, the former eclipsed the entire class by a wide margin. Irving erupted on counters generating 8.7 yards per carry, 5.8 of which came after contact — both of which lead all draft-eligible backs.
Pull Lead Grade: Trey Benson, Florida State (89.3)
While Benson clocked just 12 carries behind pull-lead concepts, he flourished, showing off his phenomenal athleticism. Florida State rarely deployed pull-leads – just 29 all season – but when established into the gameplan, Benson took full advantage. An example? Look no further than FSU’s Week 6 matchup with Virginia Tech, where Benson erupted totaling three explosive runs, two of which went for over 40 yards a piece.
Late-Down with Four Yards or Less To Go Rushing Grade: Dylan Laube, New Hampshire (90.6)
Laube, the second FCS standout to make this list, was incredibly effective in short-yardage, late-down situations. Of his 12 carries on third and fourth downs of four yards or less, the New Hampshire back was stopped for a loss or no gain just twice. He, otherwise, converted on 75% of attempts while averaging 8.7 yards per carry.
Goal-To-Go Rushing Grade: Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State (84.5)
The Jackrabbits deployed Davis as a primary threat in goal-to-go situations frequently, and he rewarded them with excellent production. Davis tallied 14 rushing touchdowns near the goal line, equating to a phenomenal 60.9% conversion rate, the highest among this year’s prospects.
Overall Redzone Grade: Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State (86.5)
Davis proved nearly unstoppable for FCS defenses in the red zone. Inside the opposing 20-yard line, the South Dakota State back converted on over 51.3% of his attempts due largely to his quality 0.26 missed tackles forced per attempt.
Receiving Grade: Dylan Laube, New Hampshire: 90.4
The New Hampshire product clocked the most receiving snaps (362) of any back in the class while also finishing as the only prospect to exceed an 80.0 PFF receiving grade at the position. Laube amassed over 700 yards after the catch, contributing to his phenomenal 1.96 yards per route run, both of which pace this year’s class.
Pass-Blocking Grade: Jonathon Brooks, Texas: 88.5
While Brooks may not have clocked as many pass-protection snaps as other backs in the class, his tape and production in that regard speak volumes. The Longhorns back showed off sound feet and strength to be a consistent blocker at the next level. On 48 pass-blocking snaps, Brooks was beaten just a single time yet allowed zero total pressures.
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