Saints Draft Scouting: Boise State RB Dylan Riley

The New Orleans Saints season hasn’t gone according to plan so far. Several factors have caused this, but the most pressing is their subpar run game. They must address this during the offseason and add dynamic threats. Fortunately for them, intriguing prospects await in the 2027 NFL Draft, including Boise State running back Dylan Riley.

Riley, the five-foot-10, 203-pound junior, has been stellar for the Broncos. He leads the nation with 1,246 rushing yards. Beyond this, he's averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. He’s surpassed 150 yards four times this season and is the key reason Boise State is in College Football Playoff contention.

This isn’t new, as Riley rushed for over 1,000 yards last year. He’s not reaching Ashton Jeanty-level numbers, but he’s a proven dynamic threat.

Riley is a home-run threat who blends elite explosiveness and burst with exceptional contact balance. He quickly accelerates and has formidable top-end speed capable of burning a defense. He pairs this with excellent vision that lets him find gaps.

Additionally, he’s a hassle to tackle. Riley’s already forced 45 missed tackles and averages 4.61 yards after contact per attempt. He relies mostly on his elite elusiveness but also has enough power to break weak arm tackles.

He’s not huge, but Riley’s surprisingly durable. He frequently rushes 20+ times per game and hasn’t had any major injuries. This should be music to the Saints’ ears, as their running backs can’t stay healthy.

Riley’s biggest weakness is his three-down impact. He’s been impactful as a receiver with 218 yards and two touchdowns in 2026, but has a limited route tree. Additionally, he’s a mediocre pass blocker. This could force teams to bench him on third downs, instead opting for a more well-rounded back.

Still, Riley is an explosive prospect that the Saints must target. He wouldn't require a first-round pick and could be a value selection on a later day. 

GM Mickey Loomis has invested in the position, signing Travis Etienne Jr. However, that hasn’t worked, partially because of injury. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger, and former third-round pick Kendre Miller was cut. As a result, they must inject youth into the position in the draft, and Riley could be a perfect mid-round option.

Even if Etienne has a bounce-back campaign when he returns, the Saints still need to bolster the running back room next offseason. Luckily for them, they have plenty of options in April, including Boise State’s Dylan Riley.