Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (23) runs past Ohio State defensive tackle Jashon Cornell (9) for a touchdown during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a series of NFL Draft previews written by OBSERVER Sports Editor Braden Carmen.

With the rest of the sports world completely shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the attention turns to the NFL Draft. Just over two weeks away, I will be providing a look at each position group in the draft with the top players at each position. Today, we cover one of the most utilized positions in all of professional sports, running back.

1. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

If production is what you’re looking for in terms of evaluating a prospect, there isn’t a better example in college football the past few years than Jonathan Taylor. The Wisconsin star running back made 200 yard games seem like a new normal, while never showing any sign of slowing down. In three years at Wisconsin, Taylor averaged over 2,000 yards a season, with a career average of 6.7 yards per carry and 50 rushing touchdowns. This past year, he had 2,003 yards rushing and 21 rushing touchdowns, while adding 252 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

The two concerns on Taylor are his limited contributions in the passing game and the massive workload he’s already carried in college. In terms of the passing game, he has certainly improved in the past year, which shows there is still more room to grow. In terms of his workload, the tread on the tires is mitigated a little bit in that he did still leave college with a year of eligibility left. Especially with the trend of NFL teams not committing to a running back long-term, Taylor can still be a very valuable piece to any offense through his first contract at the next level. While he is not as complete of a prospect as recent stars like Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott or Todd Gurley, Taylor is definitely the most accomplished ball-carrier in this class.

2. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State

While Jonathan Taylor is considered by most draft experts as the best at the position, J.K. Dobbins is very close behind at No. 2. When you compare the statistics, Dobbins had the same exact totals in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, while his yards per carry of 6.7 last season is the exact same number as Taylor’s career mark at Wisconsin. It’s a matter of preference between the two, and I don’t think there is much of a gap at all.

Dobbins is NFL tough, as he has the strength at the position that it takes to last at the next level. He doesn’t avoid contact, in fact, he thrives on it. Dobbins routinely ran through tackles at Ohio State and always keeps his legs moving. Despite not possessing the breakaway speed that some other prospects have, Dobbins still showed he has home run hitting ability, and it’s not like he did it in a cake walk of a league, either. Dobbins appears to be a solid NFL starter.

3. D’Andre Swift, Georgia

When it comes to drafting running backs, it seems like it’s always a good call to take the guy from Georgia. With names like Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel all following the same path in recent years, D’Andre Swift looks like he could add his name to the list.

Swift lives up to his name, not necessarily in just pure speed, but in the quickness of his decision making. In all the Georgia games I saw on TV the past few years, I can’t ever remember seeing Swift hesitate. He makes his mind up and goes, contrary to the LeSean McCoy, Le’Veon Bell types who dance around waiting for a hole to open up.

In addition to his rushing ability, Swift is the best of the top tier in the passing game. He is a legitimate weapon in taking screen passes or bubble routes and making them into huge plays. It would be fun to watch him in a high-powered offense. I believe he belongs with Taylor and Dobbins in the top tier of prospects at the position this year.

4. Zack Moss, Utah

Zack Moss epitomizes toughness in the backfield. He is an absolute bull once he gets going downhill. When you use him in Madden, you better be ready to use the hit stick, because he is genuinely skilled at flattening defenders.

When it comes to his elusiveness, Moss is better than you’d think for a back as tough as he is. He can make moves in the backfield to get going and has enough vision to make it at the next level. He has never been a huge factor in the passing game and does come in with a heavy workload from college already, but you can look at three straight 1,000-yard, 10-plus touchdown seasons and feel safe that he can definitely play. I think he fits in at the next level as the strong half of a committee and should probably go in the late-second to third round.

5. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU

The LSU running back is the perfect example of a guy who can make people miss. From jukes to spin moves, Clyde Edwards-Helaire can get out of trouble whenever it presents itself. Couple that with his effectiveness in the passing game as not only a receiver, but also as a pass protector, and you’ve got the perfect back for a team with struggles on the offensive line or uncertainty at the quarterback position.

Edwards-Helaire doesn’t come across as a complete four-down back, like Taylor and Dobbins can be viewed. He’s probably half of a good tandem at the next level, and should go in the third round, with the chance he falls to the beginning of the fourth round.

Honorable Mention: Cam Akers, Florida State; Eno Benjamin, Arizona State; A.J. Dillon, Boston College.