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The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 running backs in this year’s NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league:
1. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, 5-10, 210
Home run hitter who can start and stop on a dime. Gained 10 or more yards on 25.4 percent of carries last season, per NFL.com. Breaks second-level tackles (averaged 4.35 yards after contact). Like many rookies, could struggle in pass protection.
2. Jonathon Brooks, Texas, 6-0, 216
Recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November. Three-down potential because of soft hands and making the first tackler miss. Fresh legs after only 256 career touches playing behind two 2023 draft picks. Too many moves before hitting the hole.
3. Blake Corum, Michigan, 5-8, 205
Compact, powerful back who put up an offensive lineman-like 27 reps on the 225-pound bench press. Finds small creases and gets downhill. Does everything — including block — bigger than his size. Michigan-record 56 career rushing touchdowns.
4. Trey Benson, Florida State, 6-0, 216
Happy to deliver punishment. Body is built to withstand toll of feature back but was averaging about 10 carries per game until mid-November. Zero career fumbles. Big-play weapon with four 50-plus-yard gains. Third-down role is undefined.
5. Bucky Irving, Oregon, 5-9, 192
Led FBS running backs with 56 catches in addition to second straight 1,000-yard season. One career fumble. Changes directions at full speed on tape but didn’t show the same level of explosiveness at the NFL combine (4.55-second 40-yard dash).
6. MarShawn Lloyd, USC, 5-9, 220
Patient runner who accelerates through holes and doesn’t shy away from contact. Can create something out of nothing with his dynamic cuts. Not a high-volume ball-carrier but averaged 7.1 yards in 2023. Willing to body-up blitzers.
7. Audric Estime, Notre Dame, 5-11, 221
New York native is a between-the-tackles workhorse who wears down defenses with yards after contact (14 runs of 20-plus yards. Lowers pads when he smells the goal line (18 rushing touchdowns last season). Ball security and 40-yard dash time (4.71 seconds) are concerns.
8. Ray Davis, Kentucky, 5-8, 211
Exploded for 280 yards and three touchdowns against Florida. Decisive north-south runner who maintains contact balance. Plug-and-play clock ticking after 746 collegiate carries. Lacks top-end speed but adds pass-catching element: Seven of 21 touchdowns last season as a receiver.
9. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, 6-1, 235
Classic Wisconsin power back who looked miscast last season in a pass-minded offense. Scored 35 rushing touchdowns in 35 career games. Not much finesse — just toughness, short-yardage stiff arms and blocking. Only 20 years old for full rookie season.
10. Will Shipley, Clemson, 5-11, 206
Averaged 5.2 yards per carry, 7.1 yards per catch and 26.6 yards per kickoff return (and scored 33 touchdowns) in three-year career. If he can’t outrun you, he will spin, hop or hurdle before going down. Some concentration drops.
Late riser
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue, 5-11, 209
Five-year receiver (four at passing-challenged Iowa) who embraced late position change. Averaged Big Ten-best 6.3 yards per carry. Slippery runner but sometimes misses open lane. Special teams ace as a returner (98-yard touchdown) and on coverage teams.
Falling fast
Dillon Johnson, Washington, 5-11, 217
Mostly played through injuries to hip, knee, foot, ankle and hamstring over last two seasons (two games missed). Sure-handed pass-catcher but ran a slower-than-expected 4.68-second 40-yard dash. True “gamer” who had best games against ranked opponents.
Small-school wonder
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, 5-10, 206
Versatile weapon had 405 carries, 117 catches and 3,117 yards from scrimmage over the last two seasons plus four career special teams touchdowns. Array of shifty moves out of the backfield and runs crisp routes out of the slot.
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