Boston College Eagles: AJ Dillon is worthy of an early-round NFL pick

The NFL draft has featured in recent years a nice number Boston College Eagles players being selected. In 2020, AJ Dillon will add his name to that list.

A few years ago, running back AJ Dillon, formerly of the Boston College Eagles, might have been in the conversation to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.

Times have changed in regards to the emphasis placed on drafting running backs early in the first round. Unless you’re a special, dynamic running back “for the ages”, chances are that these days a team will wait, even if the running back position is a need.

While it’s a long shot for Dillon to get drafted in the first round of the 2020 draft, that doesn’t mean he isn’t worthy of an early-round pick.

A thundering combination of power and speed, Dillon’s numbers speak for themselves. He finished his Boston College career with 4,382 yards and 38 touchdowns. His capped his junior season by rushing for 1,685 yards and 14 scores in 2019.

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Dillon also saw more action in the passing game during his junior season. He caught 13 passes for 195 yards and 1 touchdown.

If Dillon escaped notice before, his recent performance at the NFL Combine turned heads. Dillon showed off his speed with a 4.53 40-yard dash and displayed his power by doing 23 bench press reps. Dillon found himself in good company by posting these and other totals, recently drawing comparisons to former Heisman-winner and 2019 NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry.

Dillon ran his way through the record books of the Boston College Eagles. Though Boston College never posted more than seven wins in a season during Dillon’s time, their fate often hinged on Dillon’s production. He was durable, playing in 35 games over three seasons, and will be an asset wherever he ends up in the NFL.

A bright future but where?

As it stands now, many mock drafts have only one running back being selected late in the first round. Tabbed for that honor is Georgia running back D’Andre Swift, with J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State) and Jonathon Taylor (Wisconsin) among the names also being mentioned.

Before the NFL combine, Dillon’s name was very rarely mentioned alongside these other three. Playing for high profile programs certainly helped the others, but, just as nothing should be taken away from their work and status, the same can be said of Dillon. Boston College might have been average in the ACC, but Dillon was anything but that.

The question remains is to where Dillon ends up. A second round selection — third at the latest — is where Dillon should be selected. Is there a chance the New England Patriots take a look at him?

Likely not, mostly because Sony Michel is still learning and growing, entering his third season in 2020. Head coach Bill Belichick likes a stable of running backs but considering the Patriots only recently used a first-round pick on Michel, I don’t foresee an early-round selection being used on Dillon.

Dillon may end up in the NFC, where running back needy teams like the Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, and Atlanta Falcons could use the abilities of a speedy, powerful back like Dillon.

The NFL draft begins April 23, meaning there is still a lot of action and moving pieces that will take place. Free agency, Pro Day’s, and player releases will cause ripples. Whatever happens, Dillon will be ready. And the team that selects him will ultimately be glad they did.