We’re different from the way NFL GMs think. Yes, we know the importance of a great offensive line to a quarterback’s performance. We know that having great DBs or a ferocious pass rush helps get your offense back on the field. 

But when it comes to drafting NFL teams, those aforementioned GMs see things through a different lens than us fantasy owners. We want offense, todo el dia, cada dia! We want to see the running backs picked high with the quarterbacks and receivers, just like we do in August and September. They make us wait to see most of our hopeful caballos carrying the ball to have to be picked in the second day. At least the ones who could find their ways to our teams in a few months.

Yet even with the quarterbacks who will more than likely struggle in their rookie years, if they get on the field at all, and the 6 first-round wide receivers taken in a historically good class, we didn’t have to wait all through the first round to see a runner go. So here’s a quick look at some of the running backs who could be finds for you in your draft. And if you play in a dynasty format, scoop up these caballos!

Clyde Edwards-Helaire – #32 Chiefs
At the end of the first night of the draft, did anyone else start to salivate like you’re about to eat homemade enchiladas? When I saw Clyde Edwards-Helaire got to Kansas City, I started to dream of Kareem Hunt’s rookie season (league-leading 1,327 yards rushing, 53 receptions and 11 TDs) and Brian Westbrook’s age-25 season (1,515 total scrimmage yards, 73 receptions and 9 total TDs). Both of these were the lead backs for Andy Reid’s offense. All CEH has to do is beat out Damien Williams, whom Reid doesn’t seem to trust. The first-round pedigree makes it look like he’ll get every chance to be the lead caballo for this running back crew. 

D’Andre Swift — #35 Lions
Does this mean the end for Kerryon Johnson? Probably. Maybe. Likely. As much as this is a pick about Swift’s talent, it’s as much about Johnson missing 14 games his first two seasons. Many people had Swift at the top of their list of running back prospects because of his all-around skill set. He may not be Barry Sanders 2.0, but Swift may be the best Lions back since the Hall of Famer retired and will be a high pick in fantasy drafts.

Jonathan Taylor – #41 Colts
Could the Colts be moving on from Marlon Mack after he ran for 1,091 yards last season? Not likely, but Taylor will eat into the 247 carries that Mack had last season. This backfield looks like it’ll be a timeshare at the start, because the Colts didn’t draft Taylor to sit. Taylor is the typical Wisconsin back with a powerful running style and great breakaway speed. Scouts questioned his hands in the passing game, but Melvin Gordon is another Badger who had the same rep, and he turned out fine. The Colts had 471 RB carries last season. Who would take Taylor getting half of them?

Cam Akers — #52 Rams
The Rams said adios to Todd Gurley, and hola to Akers. The Florida State product is the biggest back (217 lbs.) other than Taylor of the top 5 prospects. He’s built and runs a lot like Dalvin Cook, only Akers is faster in the 40 (4.47). Akers can catch the ball, which the Rams used so well when Gurley was healthy. Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown may take carries from Akers early on, so this is a backfield to keep an eye on. Note: Akers was a QB in high school, and could throw the ball some.

J.K. Dobbins — #55 Ravens
Love the player. Don’t love the situation. Mark Ingram II (202 carries), 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson (176) and Gus Edwards (133) all carried the ball a lot for the Ravens. No matter how much Dobbins is an all-around talent, he won’t be the caballo in this group. His receiving skills help, because neither Ingram nor Edwards does much in the passing game. Dobbins may be a better dynasty pick than redraft pick this year. 

A.J. Dillon — #62 Packers
What are the Packers doing here? Aaron Jones had 285 touches, 1,558 total yards and 19 touchdowns. Is Dillon going to eat into those carries? At 247 lbs. he needs to get fed. Dillon probably will take carries from Jamaal Williams, especially in short-yardage situations. Still, there were so many WRs available, even late in the 2nd round. 

Ke’Shawn Vaughn — #76 Buccaneers
Built solid (5-10/214), Vaughn has a real opportunity for carries. Ronald Jones II was in and out of the doghouse last season, and with Peyton Barber gone that opens up the 154 carries he left behind. Vaughn is more power runner than Jones, so he could take some of those tough carries away. Still, this will likely be at least a timeshare at the start of the season.

Zack Moss — #86 Bills
Moss is a three-time 1,000+-yard rusher and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. That’s the good. The not so good is that he’s going to Buffalo a year after Devin Singletary, who got 180 touches in 12 games last year. Frank Gore and his 166 carries is gone, so Moss has a chance to be a contributor. This looks like it could be Baltimore 2.0, especially with QB Josh Allen getting his carries.

Darrynton Evans — #93 Titans
No matter how good Evans is, he’s playing behind Derrick Henry. Eso es todo. Nothing more to see here as long as Henry is healthy and dealing punishment.

Joshua Kelley — #102 Chargers
The Bruin may be a sleeper. As good as Ekeler was last season — and if you had him, you know — he wasn’t a solo caballo even when Melvin Gordon was holding out. Ekeler only carried the ball more than 15 times twice in those first 4 games. He was more receiving threat, and finished with 993 yards. HC Anthony Lynn was a RB in his day, and chatter has been that the