Trey Benson, Dalvin Cook’s New Protégé, Could Fill Vikings’ RB1 Needs
Cody Spears
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The Minnesota Vikings kicked off the NFL Combine by informing running back Alexander Mattison that he would be released ahead of free agency.
The Vikings are without a 3rd round pick due to the T.J. Hockenson trade from the Detroit Lions. There is zero chance they use No. 11 on a running back, and they will likely explore free-agent options to fill Mattison’s void. However, they will probably have their pick of the class in the second round at pick No. 42. The Vikings could once again look to Florida State for their next running back.
Today’s Vikings Draft Thermometer will highlight the scouting profile of Florida State running back Trey Benson and how he became one of the best backs in the 2024 class.
Trey Benson Overview
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 216
- Arm Length: 31 4/8″
- Hand Size: 9 2/8″
- Wingspan: 76 3/8″
- School: Oregon (2021), Florida State (2022, 2023)
- Games Watched: Florida (2022), Clemson (2022), Syracuse (2022), Miami (2022), Georgia Tech (2022), Virginia Tech (2023), Florida (2023), Louisville (2023), LSU (2023)
Trey Benson is a former three-star recruit rated by 247 Sports. He committed to Oregon over Florida State, where he would later transfer.
Benson redshirted his freshman year, and at the end of it, he had a brutal knee injury in practice. He not only tore his ACL and MCL, but also his hamstring. After rigorously rehabbing himself back onto the field, Benson managed only six attempts in nine games as Oregon’s number three back. He would transfer shortly after.
Trey Benson started 2022 as Flordia State’s number three back, eventually rising to starting status after an injury to Florida State’s starting back in week 9. Despite the late addition as a starter, Benson went off in terms of efficiency. From Weeks 9-13, he was running back of the week four times, averaging 7 yards per carry.
2023 would be Benson’s final season for Florida State. He slipped in efficiency and advanced metrics, falling nearly a yard in both yards per attempt and yards after contact. Benson continued to split work but managed 14 rushing touchdowns and an undefeated record with Flordia State. He finished as second-team All-ACC.
Statistics
Rushing
- 2021: 6 Attempts, 22 Rushing Yards, 1 Rushing Touchdown (10 games)
- 2022: 154 Attempts, 990 Rushing Yards, 9 Rushing Touchdowns (13 games)
- 2023: 156 Attempts, 906 Rushing Yards, 14 Rushing Touchdowns (13 games)
Receiving
- 2021: 0 Receptions, 0 Yards, 0 TDs (10 games)
- 2022: 13 Receptions, 144 Yards, 0 TDs (13 games)
- 2023: 20 Receptions, 227 Yards, 1 TD (13 games)
Strengths
Trey Benson is an intriguing size and speed blend in the 2024 class. He is an explosive athlete capable of housing any play. His explosiveness is his calling card, and it’s no surprise he lit up the NFL Combine. Benson has angle-destroying acceleration. He quickly turns 7-yard runs into 15-yard runs.
Benson split work at Florida State, never gaining more than 156 attempts across a season. Evaluators shouldn’t care, though, because of his compelling size. Benson measured with a body mass index of 29.29, above the recommended 29 threshold. It will also ignite talk of a potential 3-down running back.
Helping him stay on the field for all three downs will be his underrated receiving ability. Benson displayed soft hands and an ability to make impressive catches while at Florida State. Specifically, his catch over the shoulder against Clemson was very encouraging.
Benson brings a power profile to his slashing game, too. He consistently picks up extra yardage and keeps his legs churning to fall forward. He has a brutal stiff arm and a North-South profile that marries well with his explosiveness. Benson has good contact balance and can get skinny in the hole.
According to PFF, Trey Benson is one of the best blockers in his class. He graded out very well for Florida State in each of the last two years. He blocked 85 times, allowing two sacks and five pressures for a 69.3 average grade- all good marks for running backs.
Weaknesses
Trey Benson’s explosiveness and North-South profile can work against him at times. He can miss the correct read on a play because he’s impatient at letting the play develop. Benson, at times, plays too fast for the play, not letting his blocks form in front of him. He will also outrun his block coverage.
On the other end of things, Benson also can be indecisive on rushing plays. He can get caught dancing in the backfield when he’s not exploding through the point of attack. The indecisiveness will hurt him at the next level, but it could be coached out with experience.
Benson has a small sample size of experience in the passing game. He has put good film out there on his receiving ability and pass protection, but the film is short. Benson’s ability on third down is a projection.
NFL Projection
- Draft Stock: Round Two
- Immediate Role: Early Down/Potential 3-Down
- NFL Comp: Jonathan Taylor
- Vikings Draft Thermometer: 69
The Vikings retain Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin, and DeWayne McBride. Chandler and McBride are both day three draft picks by the current regime. Gaskin is a reserve depth piece, and Nwangwu is an outstanding kick returner. Neither are backfield options for 2024. Chandler could be the guy after impressing in spurts during the back half of 2023, but he’ll need a running mate.
Enter Trey Benson, and the Vikings could once again have struck gold with the Florida State running back pipeline. Benson has been mentored by Dalvin Cook since he transferred to Florida State, and you can see why Cook related to Benson. Benson’s ability to blend explosiveness with power would give Minnesota the efficiency they sought between the hashes last season. Benson would mar well with Chandler, who might be better suited to working on outside rushes.
Trey Benson’s 3-down ability is a projection. If the Vikings staff believed in that projection, though, they could fill the need for a 3rd down back with this pick.
Spending a premium pick on a running back, who is a projection, isn’t advisable for team building. The position doesn’t carry the same value as it used to. However, if the front seven and quarterback questions are solved before the draft, the Vikings could make a competitive rebuild move in selecting a running back on day two.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via 247 Sports, Pro Football Focus, and Sports Reference CFB.
Cody Spears‘ passion lies in evaluating NFL prospects and following their stories. He is currently going to school to be an HVAC Technician. Cody enjoys spending his time on road trips with his wife, Amanda, and son, Bentley. Cody and his family are super fans of the show “Survivor” on CBS. He is a future Sole Survivor. You can find his socials and rookie rankings on his website, The Rookie Rush.