Trey Benson – Running back – 21 years old – RS Junior – Florida State
Height: 1m85
Weight: 100 kg
2023 stats: 9 games, 156 carries, 905 yards, 14 touchdowns, 20 receptions, 227 yards, 1 touchdown
Estimated position in the draft: 2nd round – start 3rd
NFL Comparison: DeMarco Murray
Spent by Oregon for 2 years where he never really had the opportunity to shine, it was at Florida State that Trey Benson shaped his reputation and showed his talent. And if his statistics are less impressive than some of his competitors, it is also because the runner was never overused during his training. Not necessarily a handicap for NFL scouts.
In a vintage without a figurehead, it presents solid assets to position itself as the safe bet of its position.
Strong points
- Power
- Speed
- Agility
With his measurements, Trey Benson perfectly fits the costume of the ideal running back. Tall, powerful, solid, he has the traits of a runner capable of piercing defensive curtains. And besides, his 114 broken tackles over the last two seasons illustrate this perfectly. And when you combine this power with his speed, you get an explosive combo.
Very fast, as shown by his 40 yard dash in less than 4.4 seconds during the combine, he is capable of making a difference thanks to this speed. This speed-to-power ratio allows him to garner a large number of yards after contact.
Attractive athletic qualities to which he adds a certain agility of movement. His good footwork and lateral mobility are above average, especially for a runner of his size. A fairly complete quality pack which in the right hands could be particularly formidable at the higher level.
Weak points
- Vision
- Fluidity / Balance
- Aerial play
However, if with such physical abilities, Benson does not display better production, it is precisely because he relies too often on his gifts. The runner would gain in efficiency by being patient and, above all, better analyzing the game. He often prefers to rush forward rather than find a better direction or a way to get around the opponent. These reading gaps hurt his production and his ability to make big plays.
A frequent downside for an imposing size, Benson is not the most feline runner on the field. He lacks fluidity, particularly in his changes of direction or in traffic. And in this same traffic its balance is not its best asset. Its high center of gravity makes it easier to drop.
Even if he is not completely one-dimensional and he can catch the ball, his contribution to the aerial game remains to be perfected, his use remaining very basic (screen passes, checkdowns, etc.). A flaw that prevents it from establishing itself as a complete offensive weapon, able to line up on all three attempts as a credible threat.
Possible destinations
Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders
After a 2023 class which saw two riders selected in the top 15, the 2024 class, much less exciting and without a real headliner, should fall into line. Amid these uncertainties, Trey Benson is the favorite to be the first running back called up, but seeing him selected as early as Thursday night would be a surprise.
While he is capable of being a number 1 runner in the medium term by working on his flaws, Benson will have difficulty carrying a ground game alone in the immediate future. The ideal would be to integrate him into a committee or associate him with another runner with a complementary profile. But his physical abilities alone will certainly have turned a few heads in the pre-draft process.
Severely lacking a playmaker for their running game, Cowboys, Raiders or Chargers are teams to follow for an early selection of a runner. The now former Seminole could find playing time and space to express himself there.
