NFL Draft Prospects | Top 10 RB’s

I can’t recall in recent memory, a draft that has been so deep in quality runners. While 2006 produced many solid halfbacks, it is my belief that the players who will chosen in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds of this draft are of much better talent and have a better shot of becoming legitimate feature backs.

#1 Darren McFadden, Arkansas

Despite what Mike Mayock says, I have difficulty pushing DMac down enough that Mendenhall or Stewart chases him down. Paternity suits and knocks on character aside withstanding, Darren McFadden is still the number one prospect for halfbacks in this draft. His vision, elusiveness and speed will allow him to be a productive NFL runner. Running a 4.27 forty definitely doesn’t hurt.

#2 Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois

Mendenhall has had his praises sung by many a scout over the past couple of weeks. He is described as “the entire package” and that may indeed be true. Mendenhall is about as fast as a 225 pound back can be. His rare mix of size, speed and agility allow him to run by you, dance around you or run you over if he so chooses.

#3 Jonathan Stewart, Oregon

The proverbial bowling ball runner, Stewart is an old school coaches dream. A guy who can pound the ball inside 30 times a game and tire out a defense. Stewart may have lost a position on Mendenhall due to Mendenhall’s great combine but make no mistake; Stewart is strong and runs a quick dash for a 230 pound guy. He is easily first round talent and will not be far behind Mendenhall.

#4 Ray Rice, Rutgers

Rice is a meat-and-potatoes kind of runner. His speed and agility good but not great. His size isn’t the best but he packs a lot of weight onto a smaller frame. What he does excel at is running the ball early and often and getting production. Many compare Rice to Frank Gore; a stocky, compact guy who is fast and agile enough to make you miss and leave you in the dust but also physical enough to take 25 handoffs a game and bruise your linebackers. His durability is unquestionable after taking nearly 1000 handoffs in three years without major injury. He should be a steal for a team in the early to mid second round.

#5 Felix Jones, Arkansas

I was very high on Jones until the combine. When north-south speed and big play ability are your calling card, you can’t run a 4.47 and expect scouts not to be disappointed. A few months aso, many postulated whether McFadden was even the best runningback on his own team. Jones is still a supreme talent but he has question marks. He hasn’t carried a full load at the collegiate level and may have difficulty transitioning into an NFL feature back. I still believe that Jones can bounce back and will be an impact player in the NFL but for now, Rice leapfrogs Jones into the 4th spot.

#6 Chris Johnson, East Carolina

This kid lived up to the billing as one of the fastest players available, running a 4.24 and winning the title of fastest man at the combine. Johnson’s strength lies within two things; his versatility and his speed. Johnson is an excellent returner, good receiver and a solid running back. While he does need to bulk up a bit, a Brian Westbrook type of role for him in a West Coast Offense would be ideal for his skillset. Watch him closely, if he lands in the right spot, he could be a star.

#7 Matt Forte, Tulane

No runner has improved his stock more over the past few months than Forte. Between the bowl games, senior bowl and combine, Forte is driving himself up into the second or third round. A bruising inside runner with good pass catching hands and solid pass protection abilities, Forte would make an excellent 3rd down back at the very least in the NFL. If given the opportunity, I could also see Forte carving out a Jerome Bettis type of career.

#8 Jamaal Charles, Texas

An All-American sprinter, speed is Charles’ bread-and-butter. He ran a decent 4.38 forty but should have done better. Charles could be the surprise of the class. He has all of the making of a feature back complete with big game experience. Unfortunately, he is outclassed by many of the other backs available in the draft. A victim of poor-timing, Charles is likely second round talent at least in most other drafts. Watch for a Tampa Bay or Detroit to grab him in an effort to bolster their ranks in the wake of injuries to their starters, he may make some noise.

#9 Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech

I don’t understand why Choice is not receiving the same kind of fanfare that Kevin Smith and Mike Hart are receiving. All the guy does is produce. He doesn’t dance around behind the line, he picks his hole and hits it. He fights for his yards, churns his legs and get first downs. The guy has proven he can handle a feature back workload and is built well is run. He turned in a great performance at the Senior bowl and is deserved of this spot despite many not giving him the credit he deserves. If he is drafted by a team that uses a zone-blocking scheme, I believe his one-cut running style will serve him well.

#10 Kevin Smith, Central Florida

This guy knows how to carry a team on his shoulders. He took 450 handoffs last year and came within a hair of breaking Barry Sanders’ single season rushing record. Kevin Smith’s physical attributes will not wow you. He simply get the job done; dirty or otherwise. He is a big back who can pound it inside or catch a pass out of the backfield. He may end up getting drafted in the 3rd, 4th or 5th round range but is a good enough talent to contend for a few carries in the next year or two.

Close to making the cut:

Steve Slaton - Already criticized for being too small and showed up to the combine light, ran a poor forty for being so light.
Mike Hart - Poor measureables at the combine and the weak end of his season spell doom for his draft stock.

Keep an eye out for an updated Mock Draft soon!

tag: NFL, NFL Draft, Prospects, Combine, McFadden, Rankings, Mendenhall, Stewart, Rice, Felix Jones, Chris Johnson, Forte, Jamaal Charles, Choice, Smith, Slaton, Hart, Football Jabber, Football

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