The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25, but we aren’t expected to hear any running backs’ names called until the second and third rounds on Friday. Despite the lack of first-round RBs, that doesn’t mean that the position group isn’t talented. Florida State’s Trey Benson gave up his final year of eligibility and is expected to be one of the first running backs taken.
Benson began his collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks but didn’t play in the 2020 COVID-19 season. He played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman in 2021, but only tallied six carries prompting the transfer to Florida State. Benson played in 26 games for the Noles and finished his career there with 1,896 rushing yards with 23 touchdowns. He added 371 receiving yards and one additional touchdown through the air.
Trey Benson: Scouting Report
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein believes that Benson will be selected in the second or third round.
Benson had just two seasons of collegiate wear and tear, but he only hit the 20-carry mark in one game. He runs with good knee-bend, agility and contact balance but takes too long to process the front and hit holes between the tackles. He has creative athleticism but lacks creative vision, so he would be wise to keep more runs on track and finish with consistent authority rather than searching for greener grass. Benson has some talent as a pass catcher and enough protection ability to warrant a role as a complementary three-down option.
Mock Draft landing spots
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates completed a three-round mock draft where they alternated picks. Kiper mocked Benson to the Cleveland Browns at No. 85. ESPN’s Jordan Reid has Benson landing with the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 69. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter thinks Benson will end up with the Arizona Cardinals with the 71st overall pick.
Fantasy football implications
Benson likely doesn’t need to be considered for redraft leagues unless there is an injury to the starting running back wherever he lands. In dynasty leagues, the running back is likely worth an end-of-the-first-round or start-of-the-second-round pick in rookie drafts. If a team with a crowded backfield selects Benson for the foreseeable future, he would fall to the second, but if he lands with a team like the Browns, he could be a first round pick and take over for Nick Chubb next season.