Ranking the top running back prospects in the NFL Draft

With just one week to go before the NFL draft, here's a look at the top 10 running back prospects. While the class isn't particularly deep, there is some strength at the top.

1. Josh Jacobs, Alabama

Jacobs is the most complete back available and possibly the only back with a chance to go in the first round. He finished his junior year at Alabama with 887 yards from scrimmage and 14 scores, serving as a change of pace behind Damien Harris. His limited work in college with only 299 touches is seen more as a feature than a blemish, with the hope that he has plenty of touches left in him when he gets to the NFL.

2. Damien Harris, Alabama

Harris saw regular work for the Crimson Tide over the last three seasons and finished his college career with more than 3,000 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. He's not flashy, running a 4.57 second 40 time at the combine, but Harris can break tackles and has adequate hands. He could hear his name called on the second day of the draft.

3. Miles Sanders, Penn State

Saquon Barkley's replacement at Penn State last season, Sanders actually had more rushing yards than Barkley did in his final year with the Nittany Lions. That's not to say Sanders will be as good at the pro level, but he is a smooth runner who had a strong 4.49 second 40-yard dash at the combine after rushing for more than 1,200 yards last season. Sanders also showed that he's strong as a receiver last season, finishing with 24 receptions.

4. David Montgomery, Iowa State

Montgomery didn't test well at the combine, and his lack of speed (4.63 second 40-yard dash) could be a knock on his draft day value. However, Montgomery was productive and durable over the last two seasons for the Cyclones, rushing for more than 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns over that time. He should be a three-down back, with excellent receiving skills, as well.

5. Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M

Perhaps the best receiving back in 2019, Williams finished his junior season with 1,760 yards on the ground, along with 27 receptions for 278 yards. He ran a strong 4.51 second 40-yard dash, but there are questions about his ability as a three-down back due to his lack of size (5-foot-9). He has a chance to have his name called on the second day of the draft.

6. Darrell Henderson, Memphis

In terms of last year's production, no running back in the draft can match Henderson. He finished last season with 2,204 yards from scrimmage for Memphis and a staggering 8.9 yards per carry for the second straight year. He ran a sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash, but his lack of size and inability to break tackles could make him more of a change of pace back in the pros.

7. Justice Hill, Oklahoma State

Hill looked like the biggest home run hitter available on tape, and that was confirmed when he led all running backs at the combine with a 4.40 second 40-yard dash. He finished his three-year college career with 3,539 yards rushing. Another issue is that his hands aren't great, so Hill could be confined to a role as an early-down, change of pace back.

8. Bryce Love, Stanford

Sometimes returning to school isn't the best idea for running backs. After rushing for 2,118 yards in his junior season, Love had an injury-plagued senior year that ended in December with a torn ACL. The injury will cause him to effectively have a redshirt 2019 season in the NFL, and sparks questions about how much he has left in the tank after seeing 569 carries at Stanford. Still, he showed elite speed before the injury, so he's worthy of a team taking a chance.

9. Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma

Anderson could have been considered as this year's top running back before suffering a torn ACL early last season. He saw significant carries in only one season at Oklahoma, but he was fantastic with 1,161 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns. The speed is there for Anderson to make a huge impact if he's able to rebound from the knee injury.

10. Mike Weber, Ohio State

Weber had three productive seasons at Ohio State, finishing his college career with 2,676 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. He ran well at the combine with a 4.47 second 40-yard dash, but there are questions about whether he will be more than a backup at the highest level.