NFL Scouting Combine Primer – Running Back

by Cody Carpentier ·

The NFL Combine will be going primetime for the first time ever. In past years, TV coverage would start at 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday with Running Backs, Offensive Linemen and Special Teams, and conclude Monday with the Safeties and Cornerbacks. The new format will have the Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, and Quarterbacks taking the field Thursday night from 4-11 p.m. ET, and conclude with Safeties and Cornerbacks on Sunday afternoon after they run, jump, and workout for NFL GMs, coaches, and scouts.

NFL Combine Workout Schedule

Thursday, Feb 27 – 4-11 PM ET – QB, WR, TE
Friday, Feb 28 – 4-11 PM ET – RB, OL, ST, PK
Saturday, Feb 29 – 4-11 PM ET – LB, DL
Sunday, Mar 1 – 2-7 PM ET – S, CB

Here we will review each running back, outline their updated Combine measurements, add some college notes, and three comparable NFL players.

1. Salvon Ahmed – Washington

Height: 5-10 ⅞
Weight: 197
Hand: 8 ¾
Arm: 29 ¼
Bench: N/A

Notes:
Junior Declare.
2,000 career rush yards, 21 TDs.
50 career receptions.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Chris Johnson – 30 ¼-Inch Arm, 7 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.24), 18 Reps
Dillon Baxter – 30-Inch Arm, 8-Inch Hand, (4.65), 15 Reps
Raheem Mostert – 30 ⅞-Inch Arm, 9 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.42), 20 Reps

2. Cam Akers – Florida State

Height: 5-10 ⅜
Weight: 217
Hand: 9
Arm: 30 ⅝
Bench: 20 reps

Notes:
5-star, No. 1 RB in 2017 HS Class.
Junior Declare.
2,800 career rush yards, 27 TDs. 69 career receptions.
1,100 scrimmage yards, 8 TDs as a true freshman.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40)
Elijah Holyfield – 30 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.78), 26 Reps
Kareem Hunt – 31 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.62), 18 Reps
LaDainian Tomlinson – 31-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.46), 18 Reps

3. Darius Anderson – TCU

Height: 5-10 ½
Weight: 208
Hand: 9 ⅝
Arm: 30 ½
Bench: 19 reps

Notes:
Split carries every season in college.
Senior with 2,400 rushing yards, 18 TD and 43 receptions in his college career.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Wendell Smallwood – 30 ½-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.47), 14 Reps
Mack Brown – 31 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ½-Inch Hand, (4.66), 18 Reps
Jordan Scarlett – 30 ⅜-Inch Arm, 8 ⅞-Inch Hand, (4.47), 21 Reps

4. Levante Bellamy – Western Michigan

Height: 5-8 ⅞
Weight: 192
Hand: 8 ¾
Arm: 30 ¼
Bench: 16 reps

Notes:
5th year senior with over 600 career touches, 4,000 total yards and 36 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Larry Rose – 30 ¾-Inch Arm, 8 ½-Inch Hand, (4.47), 15 Reps
Matt Breida – 31 ⅛-Inch Arm, 9 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.44), 23 Reps
Tony Brooks-James – 30 ⅛-Inch Arm, 8 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.54), 15 Reps

5. Eno Benjamin  – Arizona State

Height: 5-8 ⅞
Weight: 207
Hand: 8 ⅝
Arm: 31 ¼
Bench: 12 reps

Notes:
Junior Declare.
3,500 career all-purpose yards, 82 receptions, and 31 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Tre Mason – 30-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.5), (-)
Duke Johnson – 30 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.54), 18 Reps
Ryan Williams – 30 ⅝-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand,(4.61), 19 reps

6. Raymond Calais – Louisiana Lafayette

Height: 5-7 ⅞
Weight: 188
Hand: 9 ¼
Arm: 30
Bench: 20 reps

Notes:
Never crested 1,000 yards in a season at Lafayette.
Nearly 2,500 career return yards and 2 TDs on 99 returns.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Shaun Wilson – 30 ½-Inch Arm, 8 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.51), 17 Reps
Donnel Pumphrey – 29-Inch Arm, 8 ½-Inch Hand, (4.48), 5 Reps
Phillip Lindsay – 30 ⅞-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.44), 14 Reps

7. DeeJay Dallas – Miami

Height: 5-10 ⅛
Weight: 217
Hand: 9 ¼
Arm: 30 ⅝
Bench: N/A

Notes:
Junior Declare.
5.8 career yards per carry.
28 career receptions to go along with 19 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Elijah Holyfield – 30 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.78), 26 Reps
Kareem Hunt – 31 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.62), 18 Reps
Alfred Morris – 31 ⅜-Inch Arm, 10 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.67), 16 Reps

8. A.J. Dillon – Boston College

Height: 6-0 ⅜
Weight: 247
Hand: 9 ⅝
Arm: 31 ⅝
Bench: 23 reps

Notes:
Junior Declare with over 850 career touches.
1,500 rushing yards and 14 TDs as a true freshman.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

LeGarrette Blount – 33 ⅜-Inch Arm, 10-Inch Hand, (4.70), 18 Reps
Leonard Fournette – 31 ⅝-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.51)
Peyton Hillis – 31 ⅛-Inch Arm, 8-Inch Hand, (4.64), 26 Reps

9. J.K. Dobbins – Ohio State

Height: 5-9 ½
Weight: 209
Hand: 9 ½
Arm: 29 ¾
Bench: 23 reps

Notes:
Junior Declare with over 5,000 career yards, 70 receptions and 43 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Jerick McKinnon – 30 ¼-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.41), 32 Reps
Aaron Jones – 32 ½-Inch Arm, 9 ½-Inch Hand, (4.56), 16 Reps
Dalvin Cook – 33 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.49), 22 Reps

10. Rico Dowdle – South Carolina

Height: 5-11 ¼
Weight: 213
Hand: 9 ½
Arm: 31 ⅜
Bench: N/A

Notes:
Split carries in 2019 with Tavien Feaster, finished with 650 total yards and 4 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Sony Michel – 31 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.54), 22 Reps
Marlon Mack – 32-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.50), 15 Reps
Dare Ogunbowale – 31 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.65), 14 Reps

11. Clyde Edwards-Helaire – LSU

Height: 5-7 ¼
Weight: 207
Hand: 9 ⅝
Arm: 29
Bench: 15 reps

Notes:
Doubled his production during his third and final season at LSU, gaining nearly 1,900 yards from scrimmage, 55 receptions and scoring 17 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

De’Angelo Henderson – 29-Inch Arm, 9 ½-Inch Hand, (4.48), 20 Reps
Devin Singletary – 28 ⅞-Inch Arm, 8 ½-Inch Hand, (4.66), 15 Reps
Maurice Jones-Drew – (4.39)

12. Darrynton Evans – Appalachian State

Height: 5-10 ⅛
Weight: 203
Hand: 9 ¼
Arm: 31 ⅝
Bench: 20 reps

Notes:
Junior Declare with back to back 1,200 yard seasons, 31 total TDs, and over 1,400 return yards.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Mark Walton – 30-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.60), 18 Reps
Travis Homer – 31 ½-Inch Arm, 10-Inch Hand, (4.48), 17 Reps
Shane Vereen – 30 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.50), 31 Reps

13. Ja’Mycal Hasty – Baylor

Height: 5-8
Weight: 205
Hand: 9 ⅛
Arm: 31 ⅛
Bench: 15 reps

Notes:
5th-year senior with nearly 2,500 total yards and 16 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Devonta Freeman – 29 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.58), (-)
Trayveon Williams – 30 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.51), 19 Reps
Troymaine Pope – 30 ⅛-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.60), 25 Reps

14. Brian Herrien – Georgia

Height: 5-11 ⅛
Weight: 209
Hand: 9
Arm: 29 ¾
Bench: 18 reps

Notes:
Split carries with D’Andre Swift in 2019, gaining 600 total yards on just over 100 touches to go along with 7 TDs.
Averaged 24.8 yards per kick return.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Don Jackson – 29 ⅞-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.55), 15 Reps
Nick Brossette – 30-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.72), 15 Reps
Ty Johnson – 30 ⅛-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.45), 13 Reps

15. Tony Jones – Notre Dame

Height: 5-10 ½
Weight: 220
Hand: 9 ½
Arm: 30 ⅝
Bench: 13 reps

Notes:
One season over 400 rushing yards.
6 yards per carry and 7 TDs as a senior.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Ryquell Armstead – 30 ⅝-Inch Arm ,9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.45), 22 Reps
Rashaad Penny  – 31 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.46), 13 Reps
Alexander Mattison – 31-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.67), 22 Reps

16. Joshua Kelley – UCLA

Height: 5-10 ⅝
Weight: 212
Hand: 9 ⅝
Arm: 31 ⅝
Bench: 23 reps

Notes:
JUCO transfer.
Back-to-back 1,100 yard seasons with 25 total TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Dexter Williams – 32 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.57), 17 Reps
Miles Sanders – 30 ⅝-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.49), 20 Reps
Ty Johnson – 30 ⅛-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.45), 13 Reps

17. Javon Leake – Maryland

Height: 6-0 ⅛
Weight: 215
Hand: 9 ⅝
Arm: 31 ½
Bench: N/A

Notes:
Split carries with Anthony McFarland, and Ty Johnson while at Maryland.
37 career TDs and 3,300 total yards.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

DeMarco Murray – 32-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.41), 21 Reps
Wayne Gallman – 32 ⅝-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand,  (4.60), 21 Reps
Kerryon Johnson – 32 ½-Inch Arm, 9 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.57), 11 Reps

18. Benny LeMay – Charlotte

Height: 5-8 ⅛
Weight: 221
Hand: 9
Arm: 29 ⅞
Bench: 24 reps

Notes:
Back-to-back seasons with 1,300-plus total yards.
28 total TDs while at Charlotte.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40)

C.J. Anderson – 30-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.60), 17 Reps
Zac Stacy – 30 ¼-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.55), 27 Reps
Michael Dyer – 30 ⅝-Inch Arm, 9 ½-Inch Hand, (4.58), 26 Reps

19. Anthony McFarland – Maryland

Height: 5-8 ⅛
Weight: 208
Hand: 8 ⅞
Arm: 30 ⅜
Bench: N/A

Notes:
3rd-year Sophomore.
6.7 yards per carry on 245 career carries.
13 career TDs.
Split carries with Javon Leake in 2019 and Ty Johnson in 2018.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Darrell Henderson – 31 Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.49), 22 Reps
Jalen Richard – 29 ⅛-Inch Arm, 8 ⅞-Inch Hand, (4.65), 13 Reps
Marshaun Coprich – 29 ⅝-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.47), 17 Reps

20. Zack Moss – Utah

Height: 5-9 ⅜
Weight: 223
Hand: 9 ¼
Arm: 31 ¼
Bench: 19 reps

Notes:
Over 4,000 rushing yards and 41 total TDs in four years at Utah to go along with 66 receptions.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Doug Martin – 30 ½-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.55), 28 Reps
Terrance West – 31-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.54), 16 Reps
Darnell Woolfolk – 30 ½-Inch Arm, 9 ¾-Inch Hand, (-), 19 Reps

21. Sewo Olonilua – TCU

Height: 6-2 ⅝
Weight: 232
Hand: 10
Arm: 32 ⅛
Bench: 25 reps

Notes:
Split carries with Darius Anderson at TCU.
1,600 career yards, and 60 career catches.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Jacques Patrick – 32 ½-Inch Arm, 9 ⅞-Inch Hand, (4.74), 17 Reps
Derek Watt – 31-Inch Arm, 10 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.80), 19 Reps
Derrick Henry – 33-Inch Arm, 8 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.54), 22 Reps

22, Lamical Perine – Florida

Height: 5-10 ¾
Weight: 216
Hand: 10 ¼
Arm: 31 ⅝
Bench: 22 reps

Notes:
3,100 career all-purpose yards, 30 total TDs on 565 touches.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Roy Helu – 31 ¼-Inch Arm, 10 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.42), 11 Reps
Brandon Bolden – 32 ¼-Inch Arm, 10-Inch Hand, (4.66), 21 Reps
Jon Hilliman – 33-Inch Arm, 8 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.54), 20 Reps

23. Scottie Phillips – Ole Miss

Height: 5-8
Weight: 209
Hand: 8 ½
Arm: 29 ⅜
Bench: 29 reps

Notes:
JUCO transfer.
Averaged 5.6 yards on 296 touches in two seasons at Ole Miss, scoring 20 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
James Butler – 29 ⅝-Inch Arm, 8 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.64), 20 Reps
Branden Oliver – 29 ¼-Inch Arm, 8 ⅞-Inch Hand, (4.65), 26 Reps
Darrell Henderson – 31-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.49), 22 Reps

24. James Robinson – Illinois State

Height: 5-8
Weight: 209
Hand: 8 ½
Arm: 29 ⅜
Bench: 24 reps

Notes:
46 TDs and nearly 5,000 yards at D1-AA power Illinois Stats.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
James Butler – 29 ⅝-Inch Arm, 8 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.64), 20 Reps
Branden Oliver – 29 ¼-Inch Arm, 8 ⅞-Inch Hand, (4.65), 26 Reps
Darrell Henderson – 31-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.49), 22 Reps

25. D’Andre Swift – Georgia

Height: 5-8 ¼
Weight: 212
Hand: 9
Arm: 29 ⅞
Bench: N/A

Notes:
Junior Declare.
Averaged 6.6 yards per carry on 440 career runs. 9.1 yards per catch on 73 receptions.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Ray Rice – (4.42), 23 Reps
Bobby Rainey – 30 ⅛-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hands, (4.56), 24 Reps
Terrence Magee – 30-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.67), 22 Reps

26. J.J. Taylor – Arizona

Height: 5-5 ¼
Weight: 185
Hand: 8 ½
Arm: 28 ¾
Bench: 19 reps

Notes:
Second running back to ever measure in at 5-5.
20 career TDs and 3,700 total yards.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Warren Wand – 28 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.70), 14 Reps
Tarik Cohen – 29 ¾-Inch Arm, 10 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.42), 11 Reps
Darren Sproles – 28-Inch Arm, 8-Inch Hand, (4.47), 23 Reps

27. Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin

Height: 5-10 ¼
Weight: 226
Hand: 9 ½
Arm: 31 ⅛
Bench: 17 reps

Notes:
JUNIOR who is 3rd All-Time in rushing yards behind Ron Dayne and Ricky Williams.
Averaging 6.7 yards per carry in his college career, and boasted 55 total TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40) Bench

Peyton Barber – 30 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ⅜-Inch Hand, (4.64), 20 Reps
Nick Chubb – 32-Inch Arm, 9 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.52), 29 Reps
Derrius Guice – 30 ¾-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.49), 15 Reps

28. Patrick Taylor – Memphis

Height: 6-1 ½
Weight: 217
Hand: 9 ⅜
Arm: 32 ¼
Bench: 15 reps

Notes:
Split carries with Kenny Gainwell and Antonio Gibson in 2019
Compiled 3,300 career yards and 39 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Melvin Gordon – 32 ⅜-Inch Arm, 9 ¾-Inch Hand, (4.52), 19 Reps
Adrian Peterson – 32 ¼-Inch Arm, 9 ½-Inch Hand, (4.40)
Josh Adams – 33 ¾-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.56), 18 Reps

29. Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Vanderbilt

Height: 5-9 ⅝
Weight: 214
Hand: 8 ⅞
Arm: 30 ⅞
Bench: N/A

Notes:
Illinois transfer for Junior season.
Back-to-back 1,300 yard seasons and 24 total TDs for Vanderbilt.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench

Stepfan Taylor – 30 ⅛-Inch Arm, 8 ⅝-Inch Hand, (4.76), 17 Reps
Mark Ingram – 30 ⅝-Inch Arm, 9 ⅜-Inch Hand, (4.62), 21 Reps
Elijah McGuire – 31-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.53), 15 Reps
Alvin Kamara – 32 ¾-Inch Arm, 9 ¼-Inch Hand, (4.56), 15 Reps

30. Mike Warren – Cincinnati

Height: 5-9 ⅛
Weight: 226
Hand: 9 ⅛
Arm: 29 ½
Bench: 16 reps

Notes:
Junior declare with over 3,000 total career yards and 37 TDs.

NFL Comparisons – Arm, Hand, (40), Bench
Doug Martin – 30 ½-Inch Arm, 9-Inch Hand, (4.55), 28 Reps
Terrance West – 31-Inch Arm, 9 ⅛-Inch Hand, (4.54), 16 Reps
Delone Carter – 31-Inch Arm, 9 ⅜-Inch Hand, (4.56), 27 Reps

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