2010 NFL Draft: Running Backs

C J Spiller—Clemson—5’11”-196—Early-mid 1st—Type of elite speed only seen every couple years. Closer to Chris Johnson than to Reggie Bush cuz of his straight line speed vs Bush’s lateral moves, will be a playmaker as runner, returner, and receiver. Would love to see Seatle pick him up at 6 or 14, will be a home-runner and is definitely a top 10 talent.

Ryan Mathews—Fresno St—6’0”-218—1st-2nd round—Exactly the running style that instantly translates to the NFL. Good size and speed, runs tough and balanced, broke a lot of long runs, reminds me of Thomas Jones a lot, absolute perfect fit for the chargers

Jahvid Best—Cal—5’10”-200—1st-2nd round—Speed speed speed, its all hes got but hes good with it. Type of speed where when he gets into a hole goes from 1st level to 3rd level in a hurry. Has gamebreaker ability and has potential to be a Jamal Charles type. Injury concerns but at 4.35 with his vision is well worth a 2nd rounder for a team needing a home run hitter like the Lions or Browns

Montario Hardesty—Tenn—6’0”-225—2nd day—Good receiving skills, lacks lateral movement quickness. Has great vision and instincts, good size and speed but not exceptional in either, Very good at planting and getting upfield in a hurry, runs with toughness balance and a little anger, I like him in a Correll Buckhalter way but with a little more of everything

Dexter McCluster—Ole Miss—5’9”-172—2nd Day—Tiny but very tough, much faster than his 4.58 indicates, has ability to house it everytime he touches it. Great receiving skills, just the kind of player you want the ball in his hands about 10-15 times a game, good value in the 3rd

Jonathan Dwyer—GT—6’0”-230—2nd day—NFL ready size, one of few big backs in draft, has good vision, room to either slim down or tone up, similar to many nfl rbs (jonathan stewart, shonn greene) but just barely slower, I’m not sold on him but he doesn’t take false steps which would kill him with his subpar speed

Charles Scott—LSU—5’11”-238—2nd-3rd day—Good runner at LSU, full speed at all times, always going north south, reminds me of Ryan Grant, Grant has higher top speed but Scott is bigger, same running style, could be a very effective RB in the right system, I like him for the Texans

Joe Mcknight—USC—5’11”-200—Tough to read, great lateral movement and agility, good not great speed, not a between tackles runner, natural at setting up blockers, will be very good at screens and draws, has tremendous 3rd down RB potential

Ben Tate—Auburn—5’11”-220—2nd-3rd day—Definitely a runner not a receiver, Surprisingly high top speed to go with his frame, not the vision of Hardesty but a higher top gear, interesting prospect who could have a little Ahmad Bradshaw in him, players like him reason this draft is so deep

Toby Gerhart—Stanford—6’0”-231—2nd day—You know exactly what your gonna get from him, tough hard nosed runner who fights for yardage and to stay on his feet, excels with shoulders squared and will be exactly whats expected: a good tough back picking up 3-5 yards a clip

Legarrett Blount—Oregon—6’0”-240—3rd day—Big dude, runs well for his size, obvious character issues, someone will give him a chance (Raiders) but is a big tough runner with obvious potential, will need to be in the right situation to make it work

James Starks—Buffalo—6’2”-218—3rd day—Missed entire 2009 season with injury but very productive for 2 previous years. Didn’t play best competition, but was successful when converting to rb in college. Stands a little tall but has solid speed in the low 4.5 range and could be a project worth undertaking.

Anthony Dixon—Miss St—6’1”-233—3rd day—Workhorse at MSU was focal point of their attack out of offense similar to WW high, nothing special but finishes runs with authority. Could be short yardage back, lacks balance that would put him in a Marion Barber-like category

Keith Toston—OKST—6’0”-213—3rd day—Good experienced shotgun running back, perfect for spread offenses, looks like Robert Smith type, a little quick, not fast by any means, good value for the spread, productive in college

Curtis Steele—Memphis—5’11”-194--3rd day—One quick burst, tenacious, good patience, prefers the bounce to the cutback, will need good o-line, worth a tryout, very productive in college

Stafon Johnson—USC—6’0”-200—3rd day to Undrafted—Reasonable talent, elusive good cutback and cut-up runner, might be able to be serviceable 3rd down back

Andre Dixon—Uconn—6’1”-205--3rd day to undrafted—runs upright, has vision and is good at squaring shoulders, needs size to improve power as that suits his running style, a one cut and north south kind of guy

Chris Brown—Okla—5’10”-210—3rd day to prob undrafted—nothing standing out and not in a travis henry way, nothing really to offer that’s exceptional kind of a derrick knight skill set, average

Roy Upchurch—Bama—6’0”-210—3rd day to undrafted—Inexperienced probably a special teamer but has some talent, runs straight up, not very elusive, has some 3rd down back value

Javarris James—Miami—6’0”-212—3rd day to undrafted—Edgerrin’s cousin, elusive but not quick enough, no indication he will be impact player