Houston Texans Mock Draft 2020: Before the NFL Combine
Round 3: Eno Benjamin
Running Back, Arizona State
If the Houston Texans pass on a running back in the second round, that is fine because there should be great value in the third round for the team to find a running back, even if they decide to re-sign Carlos Hyde in free agency.
The Texans could really use a style of running back like Eno Benjamin of Arizona State on their roster to play alongside Duke Johnson and even quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The running back who is from Texas left the Sun Devils following his junior season, and at 5-9, 195 pounds he might not be the biggest running back available, but he’s proven he deserves a chance in the NFL.
Top RB Prospect College Dominator Ratings:
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) February 14, 2020
1. Jonathan Taylor: 41.8%
2. Ke'Shawn Vaughn: 40.4%
3. Cam Akers: 39.8%
4. Eno Benjamin: 37.4%
5. Zack Moss: 36.5%
6. A.J. Dillon: 34.8%
7. Benny LeMay: 34.2%
8. Levante Bellamy: 33.7%
9. Joshua Kelley: 33.2%
10. Michael Warren: 32.7% pic.twitter.com/wbXRNrznKg
In his final season at ASU, Benjamin had some big games with six games of over 100 yards running including his final game being his very best with 34 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry in that game.
For his three years with Arizona State — a total of 35 games — Benjamin totaled 2,867 yards on 576 carries and 27 touchdowns. Most of his career yards came during his sophomore and junior seasons, as he totaled an impressive 300 carries in 2018 where he totaled 1,642 yards and 16 touchdowns. This past season, Benjamin had 253 carries for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games.
Benjamin even had 42 receptions this past season for 347 yards and two touchdowns.
According to CBS Sports NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein, he compares Benjamin to Devin Singletary, writing the following about Benjamin as he prepares for the NFL Draft:
"“His elusiveness is always on display, but he’s a competitive, tough runner when it is time to get down. Benjamin needs a spread-based running game that allows for more space and freedom but must become more decisive as an NFL back.”"
If the Texans need a running back at this point of the draft, it would be a smart move by the team to take a running back who can play tough, but also one who can make plays and be a running back who is tough to tackle.