Maurice Jones-Drew was an All-American at UCLA, a second-rounder in the NFL Draft with the Jaguars and a two-time All Pro. He knows his running backs.Meanwhile, the running backs eligible for this year’s NFL Draft aren’t getting a ton of attention. For one, the position is not as coveted as it used to be. Plus, this year’s class has no star running back with a first-round grade. So the entire first evening of the draft won’t mention a single back.But, if you’re a fan of the position, take heart. Jones-Drew, who now is an analyst for the NFL Network, sees running back quality in this draft. You just have to dig down into the second round to begin uncovering the gems. He calls the guys “system players” and likens the situation to the 2013 NFL Draft when <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/giovani-bernard-46148/">Giovani Bernard</a> was the first back off the board, going early in the second round. He noted that other backs in the class included <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/leveon-bell-78749/">Le’Veon Bell</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/eddie-lacy-40498/">Eddie Lacy</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/latavius-murray-78437/">Latavius Murra</a>y and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rex-burkhead-99707/">Rex Burkhead</a>. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-trey-benson-florida-state">1. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/trey-benson-115915/">Trey Benson</a>, Florida State</h2><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25210526/Benson-T-run-UF-USA-1024x538.jpg" alt="trey benson florida-state" class="wp-image-2038052" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25210526/Benson-T-run-UF-USA-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25210526/Benson-T-run-UF-USA-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25210526/Benson-T-run-UF-USA-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25210526/Benson-T-run-UF-USA.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun</figcaption></figure>Benson is the consensus as the No. 1 running back in the NFL Draft. But he will go no higher than the second round.Jones-Drew says Benson “has the potential to be a reliable three-down back in the league. He runs the gap scheme very well, has good patience and vision, and possesses great speed, as he posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash (4.39) among running backs at the 2024 NFL Combine.”<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-will-shipley-clemson">2. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/will-shipley-121044/">Will Shipley</a>, Clemson</h2><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/01/03185603/USATSI_22192708-1-1024x538.jpg" alt="clemson-running-back-will-shipley-declares-for-2024-nfl-draft" class="wp-image-2137650" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/01/03185603/USATSI_22192708-1-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/01/03185603/USATSI_22192708-1-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/01/03185603/USATSI_22192708-1-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/01/03185603/USATSI_22192708-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>Shipley is somewhat of a surprise to go this high amongst the running backs. Another scout <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/will-shipley/32005348-4938-6967-5869-f740d03ae02a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">called him a “complementary back. “</a>“Shipley is a versatile player with the ability to contribute at the next level as a runner, pass catcher and returner,” Jones-Drew said. “Right now, the Clemson product has the goods to be a solid RB2, but he could develop into a three-down back down the road.”<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-blake-corum-michigan">3. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/blake-corum-10804/">Blake Corum</a>, Michigan</h2><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25201857/Michigan-Thumbnail-2023-11-25T211838.615-1024x538.png" alt="Michigan Wolverines football Blake Corum" class="wp-image-2037648" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25201857/Michigan-Thumbnail-2023-11-25T211838.615-1024x538.png 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25201857/Michigan-Thumbnail-2023-11-25T211838.615-300x158.png 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25201857/Michigan-Thumbnail-2023-11-25T211838.615-768x403.png 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/11/25201857/Michigan-Thumbnail-2023-11-25T211838.615.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure>If Corum has one big talent, it is scoring touchdowns. His 27 scores led college football last season. Maybe his old coach, Jim Harbaugh, brings him to LA by selecting him in the NFL Draft.Says Jones-Drew, “Corum is a strong runner with above-average contact balance who thrives as a short-yardage back… He wasn’t used much as a pass catcher, but could certainly be an asset out of the backfield in the NFL.”<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-frank-gore-jr-southern-miss">4. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/frank-gore-jr-44038/">Frank Gore Jr.</a>, Southern Miss</h2><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/09/06200104/GettyImages-1242930568-1-1024x538.jpg" alt="Frank Gore Jr" class="wp-image-916465" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/09/06200104/GettyImages-1242930568-1-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/09/06200104/GettyImages-1242930568-1-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/09/06200104/GettyImages-1242930568-1-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2022/09/06200104/GettyImages-1242930568-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bobby McDuffie/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>You can be intrigued by Gore if only for his bloodlines. Frank Gore Sr. finished his career as No. 3 on the NFL rushing list.“The son of future Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore is a tough, every-down runner who routinely makes the first guy miss,” Jones-Drew said. “He displayed his good vision and quickness during his <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-draft-six-prospects-who-stood-out-in-east-west-shrine-bowl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offensive MVP performance</a> at the East-West Shrine Bowl. And he has the ability to contribute in the pass game as a solid route runner with good hands.”<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-jaylen-wright-tennessee">5. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaylen-wright-59003/">Jaylen Wright</a>, Tennessee</h2><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/10/15093731/thumbnail_IMG_3107-1024x538.png" alt="jaylen-wright" class="wp-image-1923242" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/10/15093731/thumbnail_IMG_3107-1024x538.png 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/10/15093731/thumbnail_IMG_3107-300x158.png 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/10/15093731/thumbnail_IMG_3107-768x403.png 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/10/15093731/thumbnail_IMG_3107.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption></figure>There is a consensus building for Wright to be in the best five for the NFL Draft. Check out what another analyst had to say <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/news/joel-klatt-reveals-what-he-loves-about-tennessee-rb-jaylen-wright-in-the-2024-nfl-draft/">here</a>. “Wright, who models his game after fellow Tennessee alum <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/alvin-kamara-136689/">Alvin Kamara</a>, is an explosive runner with breakaway speed at the second level,” Jones-Drew wrote. “With pass-catching talent to pair with his linear running style, Wright has a real chance to one day be an NFL starter.”<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-layer-of-backs-in-nfl-draft">Next layer of backs in NFL Draft</h2>6. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ray-davis-99114/">Ray Davis</a>, Kentucky 7. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bucky-irving-144317/">Bucky Irving</a>, Oregon 8. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tyrone-tracy-118893/">Tyrone Tracy</a>, Florida 9. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jonathon-brooks-65020/">Jonathon Brooks</a>, Texas 10. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/braelon-allen-11980/">Braelon Allen</a>, Wisconsin 11. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/marshawn-lloyd-84396/">MarShawn Lloyd</a>, USC 12. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jase-mcclellan-57326/">Jase McClellan</a>, Alabama 13. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rasheen-ali-98709/">Rasheen Ali</a>, Marshall 14. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/keilan-robinson-71944/">Keilan Robinson</a>, Texas 15. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cody-schrader-24415/">Cody Schrader</a>, Missouri<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-backs-who-need-time-to-develop">Backs who need time to develop</h2>16. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jawhar-jordan-142484/">Jawhar Jordan</a>, Louisville 17. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/isaac-guerendo-49174/">Isaac Guerendo</a>, Louisville 18. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/miyan-williams-90043/">Miyan Williams</a>, Ohio State 19. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dillon-johnson-143868/">Dillon Johnson</a>, Washington 20. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/george-holani-45703/">George Holani</a>, Boise State 21. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/daijun-edwards-27910/">Daijun Edwards</a>, Georgia 22. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kendall-milton-72773/">Kendall Milton</a>, Georgia 23. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/audric-estime-8054/">Audric Estimé</a>, Notre Dame 24, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/isaiah-davis-49443/">Isaiah Davis</a>, South Dakota State 25. <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dylan-laube/32004c41-5503-7491-8712-116c9eaabb71">Dylan Laube</a>, New Hampshire 26. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/michael-wiley-88539/">Michael Wiley</a>, Arizona 27. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kimani-vidal-75212/">Kimani Vidal</a>, Troy 28. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaden-shirden-52698/">Jaden Shirden</a>, Monmouth 29. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/emani-bailey-143586/">Emani Bailey</a>, TCURemember, the NFL Draft is from April 25 through the 27th. But the first running back probably will not be off the board until the 26th. You can read the Jones-Drew analysis on all these backs by clicking <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-draft-ranking-rb-prospects-no-1-to-29">here</a>.

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