Yahoo Sports' top 2019 NFL draft prospects: Iowa State RB David Montgomery

5-foot-10, 222 pounds

The lowdown: Despite lacking elite athletic traits, Montgomery became one of the most productive runners in college football over the past two seasons with a combined 2,362 rush yards and 24 touchdowns, along with 58 receptions. After being named all-Big 12 as a junior, Montgomery declared for the draft and will enter the NFL with fairly modest wear and tear (695 touches in three seasons) considering how much the Cyclones leaned on him.

He’s an extremely shifty runner in space or in tight cracks, using his exceptional vision and short-area burst to create extra yardage. Montgomery’s lack of breakaway speed and big plays in college checks as a negative in scouts’ eyes, but he can make something out of nothing most of the time and keep an NFL offense ahead of the chains. He’s also well-built for the position and avoids hits and bounces off of would-be tacklers well.

Montgomery also checks off major boxes with his toughness and football character, interviewing extremely impressively throughout the draft process, and he was underused as a three-down option in college. Mostly given dump-off passes, Montgomery has shown enough flashes as a receiver and pass protector to be a great fit for a team that runs a lot of two-minute drills and doesn’t want to sub out its backs.

The lack of long speed will be a hangup for some teams, but studies have shown that many backs who lack that extra gear have had success with skills that are comparable to what Montgomery brings. He might never be regarded as a special back in the NFL, but there’s plenty to like about his multi-faceted game.

Fun fact: Montgomery jokes that all he likes to do is fish, read books, watch tape and play football, but he’s being modest. He also earned Eagle Scout status while growing up in Cincinnati, and his scout project involved donating and collecting personal hygiene products, such as soap and deodorant, to give to a local homeless shelter.