Joel Klatt explains why Trey Benson is his top-ranked running back in the NFL Draft

Running back might not be the most valued or deep position in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Still, of all the prospects at the position, Joel Klatt is going with Trey Benson as the best of the best of this class’ collection of rushers.

Klatt labeled Benson as his RB1 in this draft during an episode of his show earlier this week. He started with his physical attributes, including those that he showed at the combine, as the first part of his impressive profile.

“It was really hard for me to get over this size-speed combination that he possesses,” said Klatt. “He’s six-foot, 216, so almost 220 pounds, and he runs a 4.39. Like, let’s go!”

“Second Team All-ACC. 6.1 yards per carry over the last couple of years. Ran that 4.39 – third-fastest for running backs,” Klatt continued.

However, when you pair that frame and characteristics with his skillset, that combination is what pushes him over the top for Klatt. In his opinion, he has a lot to work with and plenty that will translate to the NFL.

“Benson is a guy that can catch it out of the backfield. But it’s his physical attributes. I think that his ceiling is incredibly high,” said Klatt. “I like his vision. There are times when he can get a little bit upright, which all big running backs do generally. Guess what? So does Derrick Henry but it works for Derrick Henry. I know that comparing him to Derrick Henry is not what I’m trying to do here but you get the gist of it.”

Benson spent four seasons in collegiate football with two at Oregon and two for Florida State. In total, he rushed for a total of 1,917 yards and 24 touchdowns on 316 carries. Essentially all of that came the past two years in Tallahassee as the Seminoles’ leading rusher in 2022 and 2023.

There have been stronger packs of backs in previous drafts in comparison to this one. Still, based on what he has to his game, Klatt definitely expects Benson to be one from this draft that pans out as a pro.

“I just look at this guy and I think to myself, okay, this guy is going to be a really great professional running back,” said Klatt.

“His style is going to play well at the next level,” Klatt said.

Kiper Jr. evaluates where Benson fits into 2024 class

While the 2024 NFL Draft running back class doesn’t exactly jump off the page, Trey Benson is certainly one of the better prospects.

No tailback is expected to go in the first-round, and there could even be a scenario where the best running backs prospects are still waiting to hear their name called into the third-round. That, Mel Kiper Jr. says, is where a team could pursue someone like Benson, whom Kiper has rated as the No. 2 running back prospect behind only Jonathon Brooks of Texas.

“Running backs two through five are interchangeable,” Kiper said. “You got MarShawn Lloyd coming out of USC. You mention Benson, Audric Estime of Notre Dame and a host of others. It goes maybe seven or eight guys for that two through five spot. That’s kinda interchangeable. They’re all third to fifth-rounders and running backs historically drop because most teams have a stable of running backs already. And, in this group, there’s gonna be some who one guy likes a little bit more than the other. And it’s gonna be a lot of mixed opinions. Trying to figure out your top-five, top-six running backs isn’t easy. But Benson is certainly one of those guys.”