Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 207 pounds
School: Arizona State Sun Devils
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.57 seconds
Bench press: 12 reps
Vertical jump: 39 inches (tied for fifth-best among running backs)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches
Three-cone drill: 6.97 seconds (second-best among running backs)
20-yard shuttle: 4.25 seconds
Eno Benjamin 2020 NFL Draft Profile
A top-75 prospect nationally regardless of position according to Rivals.com, Eno Benjamin naturally attracted quite a bit of interest from top programs. He had one of the best seasons among high school running backs which led AP sports editors to name him Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year in the hyper-competitive state of Texas. Benjamin eventually took his talents out west as he gave his pledge to Arizona State, one of 20 Power Five schools to offer him a scholarship.
As a true freshman, Benjamin saw action primarily in a reserve role. But he was a regular contributor on special teams, contributing 119 kickoff return yards as well as returning a blocked punt for a touchdown. Over the next two seasons, however, he would establish himself as one of the Pac-12’s best backs by exceeding 1,000 rushing yards each year. It included an effort as a sophomore that included 1,642 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, both of which led the conference. Benjamin’s production fell off a tad in 2019. But he still felt his collegiate body of work warranted declaring for the NFL Draft a year early.
Strengths
- elusive in space and is able to fool defenders with lateral agility;
- keeps feet churning which allows him to produce yards after contact;
- a unique combination of vision and wiggle enables him to find those subtle seams downfield;
- running style exudes toughness and physicality;
- punishes over-pursuers with cutback ability;
- pass-catching acumen enhances third-down value;
- has value in a wide variety of special teams roles.
Weaknesses
- somewhat undersized for a next-level running back;
- production took a significant dip as a junior in comparison to standout sophomore campaign;
- could be a more decisive north-south runner;
- plays with a little too much forward lean which can inhibit contact balance;
- blocking instincts need a lot of work;
- could be an injury risk as he rushes into excessive contact too often.
NFL Comparison: John Kelly
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Third to fourth round
Bottom Line
In a relatively short period of time, Eno Benjamin took the Pac-12 by storm. He announced his arrival during his first season as a starter by rushing for the fifth-most yards in FBS as a true sophomore. It included a 312-yard outing against Oregon State that year. Benjamin excels at making would-be tacklers miss in open space and is more than capable of picking up yardage after initial contact. NFL teams in need of a running back will like his ability to catch passes out of the backfield which makes him an every-down option. But Benjamin becoming a regular starter hinges on him becoming a much more decisive downhill runner. If he can add that element to his game, he has a bright future as a pro.
