Combination Testing: 40-yard sprint in 4.39 seconds, 33.5″ vertical leap, and 10’2″ wide jump.
Benson started his career at Oregon, where he only had six carries in 2021 after missing his freshman season due to an ACL tear in 2020.
After that, he moved to Florida State. He once had a game in high school where he ran for seven touchdowns and 392 yards.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Benson is a strong back with a talent for avoiding contact, but his ability to cut quickly in between tackles, which makes him difficult to bring down in close quarters, really steals the show. His 4.39 speed allows him to get away from defenders whenever he is in free space, making him a big play weapon over his Seminole career.
Benson has demonstrated the ability to run a variety of routes out of the backfield and be effective while doing so, making him as dangerous in the receiving game.
Both his footwork and pass-protection abilities will require some improvement at the next level. Although his fast cut is deadly, there are situations when his footwork is too choppy for him to avoid tackles as quickly as he could.
Where He’s Projected
In the draft, Benson is seen as almost a lock to be among the first three running backs. There will be a rush on day two that will see a lot of running backs go off the board, even if this year’s crop isn’t quite as talented as the bunch at the top of the draft from last year.
The Cowboys might be able to take advantage of him late in the second round if he seems to be more of a third back off the board than the first.
How He Helps the Cowboys
With Tony Pollard gone, there is obviously a significant void in the running back room. Only Rico Dowdle (361 yards in 2023), Deuce Vaughn (40 yards in 2023), and Hunter Luepke (19 yards in 2023) are part of the returning production. In an offense that depends on consistency at the running back position,
Benson’s arrival will give the backfield instant relief. Benson is a prolific back who can succeed in both running and receiving games.
