2011 NFL Draft: Running Back

There are a lot of running backs in this class in the 2nd-4th round range, that means real good value from 3rd-5th. Last year’s class had Spiller and Jahvid Best as home run hitters. This year doesn’t have one in the first 3 rounds unless someone reaches. There are a lot of undersized guys. When people hear undersized they think 3rd down back, but this class has a lot of undersized guys that don’t necessarily fit a 3rd down player. I like running backs too much so this was the hardest position to put in order

1.) Mark Ingram—Alabama—5’9”-215—1st—94—Heisman winner, purely a natural runner. Great patience and outstanding at reading his blocks. 4.6 40, but a 1.53 in the 10 yard split which was best among running backs. Guys got serious burst, serious strength. Comes out as most polished rb since Mendenhall. Concerns about his knee. Great screen player. They compare him to Emmitt, and I gotta say I see it. The #22 doesn’t hurt, but he runs with his instincts and natural style like Emmitt did, not to fast, but great burst and great at following his blockers. Now Emmitt played behind one of the biggest and best O-lines ever, Ingram played behind a big stout line at Bama so he might need that at the next level to be as successful as possible. But I believe he belongs in the 1st round.

2.) DeMarco Murray—Oklahoma—6’0”-213-2nd day—86—Once thought to be a 1st rounder, his stock fell quick and is slightly rising as of late. Runs straight up too much which is probably the cause of his injury history. Ran a 4.4 and definitely plays at least that fast. Is the best receiving back in the draft (71 catches in 2010). I like him. He reminds me of Adrian Peterson in his style. I think he’s worth a 2nd rounder assuming the medical exams check out. Has the ability to be the breakout running back of this class.

3.) Mikel Leshoure—Illinois—6’0”-227—late 1 early 2—85—He’s the big back in this draft. Gotta like the 38” vert. He’s got good leg churn and definitely some athleticism to go with the size. Good forward lean, runs with momentum. Doesn’t break a lot of tackles, and doesn’t have finishing speed (4.6). Has a really good burst through the hole. Follows his blockers but doesn’t have exceptional vision. I think he gives value in the 50’s, but someone’s gonna really like him and don’t be surprised if he goes before Ingram. 6 ypc senior year. Pro comparison is Marshawn Lynch, though I think Lynch plays tougher.

4.) Ryan Williams—Virginia Tech—5’9”-212—2nd day—85—I like him a lot from his 2009 tape. He’s got great vision, above average burst through the hole, good elusiveness at the 2nd level, and has enough build to stand up to punishment. Going into 2010 he had a bulls eye on his chest and performance went down, but he had some injuries and missed 4 games. 4.6 at combine, but 4.45 at the pro day, but on tape doesn’t show separation speed otherwise we might be talking about him in the 1st like Ryan Mathews last year. I like him for the Pats. Natural receiver. Needs to exercise 5 points of pressure on the football. 40” vert.

5.) Daniel Thomas—Kansas State—6’0”-230—2nd day—82—Big back that can move. Carries his weight well. If he ran a 4.5 would prob be a 1st rounder but he ran a 4.6. Needs to protect the ball better. I wish he played with better pad level then he could play with more power than the elusiveness he insists on. I think he’s a late 2 early 3. Hugely productive at school, and consistent. Runs too straight up which will prob make his shelf life pretty short. NFL comparison is Frank Gore, if Thomas could match Gore’s pad level and how he protects himself and the ball, I don’t see why he couldn’t be a similar back. Some experience receiving (mostly screens).

6.) Kendall Hunter—Ok State—5’7”-199—2nd day—79—Obviously a little guy, gets lost behind his blockers a lot. I think he has pretty average patience, I think he has good vision, and he definitely has great acceleration. I really liked him at the combine, has a good lateral move, but not super elusive. Definitely breaks more tackles than you would expect kind of in a Travis Henry way. NFL comparison would be Lesean McCoy with the acceleration but same lack of top end speed, McCoy’s more elusive. I like him in the 3rd round. People want to make him a 3rd down back but I don’t think that’s necessary, plus he didn’t catch a lotta balls in college either.

7.) Delone Carter—Syracuse—5’9”-222—3rd round/day—77—Watch this run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwFntQnWeEQ  . Thickly built individual. Displays real good balance and surprising elusiveness for a man his size. 4.57 so he aint running away from you. Good in blitz pickup. Cuts upfield with a nice burst. I like him in the 3rd because he’s probably the strongest back in this draft, and he’s got some playmaking ability to go with it.

8.) Jordan Todman—UCONN—5’9”-203—3rd round/day—77—Pride of Dartmouth Mass. Gotta love the 4.4, 38” vert and 25 reps of 225. Doesn’t make a lotta cuts, more of a downhill guy even though he’s only 205. I’d like to see him run with more power. If there isn’t a lane for him to plant his foot and explode into he doesn’t really do anything. Brings something to the receiving game. I see some Clinton Portis in his game which is good, especially if he has the good fortune of winding up in Washington with Mike Shanahan. 3rd round grade just because he doesn’t play with the strength a 2nd rounder should.

9.) Jacquizz Rodgers—Oregon St—5’6”-196—3rd round/day—76—Absolute workhorse. Dude got almost 1000 touches in the last 3 years without missing a game, aka durable, aka lotta punishment. Low center of gravity, looks like Mojo Drew, but doesn’t have the same power/gerth. I think he’s real good value in the 3rd. Good short area burst. I think he’s someone who could have an impact right away. Oh and did I mention he had 78 catches in 2009.

10.) Roy Helu Jr.—Nebraska—6’0”-220—3rd day—75—Size and speed (4.42). You wish he could get up more than 11 reps though. Everytime I watched him this year I was impressed. He runs the football, prob not a blocker or receiver, but put the ball in his hands and he runs hard and fast. Last year Ben Tate and Ryan Mathews were the only guys 220lb and 4.4 40 and they went in rounds 1 and 2. Helu was more productive than Tate in college and someone may steal him on day 3. Can you say sleeper?

11.) Noel Devine—West Virginia—5’8”-179—3rd day—74—He’s just a little guy. One of the craziest High School highlight reels Ive ever seen. His size is the determining factor here, maybe ppl think he’s a receiver like Dexter McCluster last year, but I see him as a receiver outta the backfield. Wish he showed more balance in a Danny Woodhead type way, but he’s super quick, super elusive. I think he’s a 4th round prospect but might sneak into day 2. 4.29 at his pro day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6CqA7hEzw8 

12.) Derrick Locke—Kentucky—5’8”-188—3rd round/day—72—Definitely a change of pace and more likely a 3rd down back. He’s got that 4.4 40. I think he’s one of the best options in this draft for someone looking for a pure 3rd down back.

13.) Shane Vereen—Cal—5’10”-210—3rd round/day—69—Reasonably shifty little guy. Experience catching the football. Definitely a 3rd down back at the next level. 4.5 40 which is decent for what he is. Nothing real special here.

14.) Jamie Harper—Clemson—5’11”-233—3rd day—65—I like him. He shows flashes of greatness. Surprising lateral mobility and elusiveness. He looks every bit of 233lbs. Ran a 4.59 and looks on film closer to a 4.52 or so. Punishes tacklers, hurdles people, side steps them. When he gets in the hole and turns it up people wanna get out the way. He’s got some serious potential, enough that he might make it to the 3rd round, but I give him a 4th round grade because he’s impressive, but wildly inconsistent (3.9 ypc). Though he did have 37 catches for 320.

15.) Taiwan Jones—Eastern Washington—6’0”-194—3rd day—65—Played D-1AA. Only reason we’re even talking about him is cuz he ran a 4.29 at his pro day. On film he runs closer to 4.35. Steps out of a lot of tackles because people are diving at his ankles chasing him down. Shows good acceleration and top speed. Runs too upright and I think he’ll take too many hits. Would like to see better receiving skills as that will be his role in the pro’s. Don’t be surprised if someone grabs him day 2.

16.) Dion Lewis—Pitt-5’7”-193—3rd round/day—63—Was dirty in 2009, but wasn’t quite the same in 2010. I thought I liked him, but on film he doesn’t do much. Good vision and patience, but you can get someone who gets whats there (BJGE) later than the 3rd. I like that he has experience catching the ball, but for some reason I just don’t see it in him, at best a #2 option. 5th round grade.

17.) Alex Green—Hawaii—6’0”-225—3rd day—63—Displays good vision, but you don’t see him do much other than running through big holes. Looks like he has heavy feet on film, but maybe he’s deceivingly fast cuz defenders consistently take bad angles on him (4.6). McShays boy. I think he’s a mid round pick, might be a reach before the 5th. People go on and on about his pass catching ability, but I think there are much better receiving backs available in this draft.

18.) Mario Fannin—Auburn—5’10”-231—3rd day—52—He was Auburn’s 3rd back this year, but did get a lot of time. I was shocked when he ran a 4.38 at the combine. It doesn’t change much for me because I didn’t see him rip many if any long runs this year, but he was serviceable as the bigger back. I don’t really see him giving much value as a running back, but if youre 230lbs and run a sub 4.4 you can play on my kickoff team anyday. 5th-6th rounder.