Arizona State running back, Eno Benjamin, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Benjamin, a stand out at ASU, rushed for a total of 2,565 yards and 25 touchdowns in his sophomore and junior seasons. Benjamin also contributed out of the backfield, catching 73 receptions for a total of 575 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Solid looking stats from Benjamin right? So why did Benjamin fall to the seventh round of the NFL Draft? One reason would be the depth of the running back class in 2020. Running backs such as Jonathan Taylor, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, D'Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins, etc occupied many big boards across all thirty-two teams. Another reason for Benjamin's fall was him adorning the title of a "change of pace back" by many draft experts. Benjamin was not seen as a guy you can lean on all three downs. But with the lack of variety in the Cardinals' backfield, Benjamin could be the perfect "change of pace back".
After the final roster cuts on Saturday, the Cardinals' depth chart includes Kenyan Drake, Chase Edmonds, and Benjamin. Both Drake and Edmonds are primarily receiving backs, with Drake having a slighter edge on all-around skills.
Drake was acquired from the Miami Dolphins near the trade deadline of the 2019-20 season. Drake has had a fair share of injuries in his career with the Dolphins and Cardinals. But as a member of Kliff Kingsbury's offense, Drake saw a renaissance in production in the last 8 games of the year. Totaling 814 all-purpose yards and 8 touchdowns.
Alongside Drake in the Cardinals offense is newly acquired wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins was acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans last March.
So where does Benjamin fit into this offense? Benjamin can do what some running backs cannot do. Benjamin can run the ball in between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield. Benjamin will begin the season as the Cardinals situational third-down back and special teamer. But with injury concerns to Drake, quarterback Kyler Murray may need to lean on Benjamin early. Drake is currently nursing a foot injury and is questionable for week 1 at San Francisco.
Could this "change of pace back" become a starter in Glendale, possibly. Benjamin ripped off the longest run of the Cardinals' Red & White practice on August 28.
The potential is there for the former Sun Devil. How will coach Kliff Kingsbury use Benjamin will remain a mystery until the Cardinals travel to San Franciso on September 13. With injuries being a concern, Benjamin could be a significant piece for the Cardinals in their 2020-21 playoff run.
