2019 NFL Draft: 3 Running backs on the rise after NFL Combine performance

David Montgomery, Iowa State

There may have not been another player that benefited from Josh Jacobs’ decision not to test than David Montgomery. While he did not test off the charts athletically, Montgomery thrived during the on-field drills, and may end up being the first running back off of the board in April.

Unable to break the 4.6-second mark in the 40 dash (coming in at 4.63) and not excelling in the vertical jump as well, the analytics will state that he is not worth a valuable asset to acquire. However, his production in college jumps out as he rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, and scored a total of 24 touchdowns during that stretch.

The dual-threat back from Iowa State will not wow you, but is extremely productive and proficient in both the run and passing game. During his drills, Montgomery did not drop a pass and looked like a natural pass catcher out of the backfield. In addition, those cones did not stand a chance as he rounded them in a proficient manner, displaying necessary footwork to compete in the NFL.

While Jacobs may remain the top ranked running back in this class, Montgomery absolutely closed the gap. Expect the Iowa State standout to come off of the board early on Day 2.