March 12, 2008

1. Darren McFadden - Arkansas 6-2/215

McFadden may not be the best pure running back in the class, in fact I don't believe that he is, but he is without question a serious threat and a real playmaker. There is of course going to be a question of character after his numerous run-ins with the law but his incredible ability and speed will have him taken in the top 10 of this years draft.

2. Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois 5-11/210

Rashard was the one true constant for the Illini and that's because he runs with great vision and has the ability to create when the blocking fails. He is perhaps the beset runner in this class because he finishes every run.

3. Jonathan Stewart - Oregon 5-11/234

Jonathan has some real "next level" talent and can be a feature back on any team in the NFL. The only problem is that Dennis Dixon was used as the Ducks feature back so we have yet to see what he has as a twenty touch guy.

4. Felix Jones - Arkansas 6-0/207

Felix will be a steal unless he goes in the top 20, he has the ability to hit for the big run from anywhere and if not for McFadden, he would have some sick numbers to back his point. The opposite argument can be made that he benefited from Darren's presence but I don't buy that argument, Felix is for real. Durability is a question though.

5. Chris Johnson - East Carolina 5-11/195

Chris does an incredible job of staying underneath his pads and driving through arm tackles. He has a great second gear and with his ability to line up as a wideout, he has the entire package. The lack of competition keeps him from being ranked even higher because he has all the tools needed at running back.

6. Tashard Choice - Georgia Tech 6-1/205

Tashard showed a great ability to create plays as well as do the dirty work for the Yellow Jacket. He would shine in a zone blocking scheme with his great center of gravity and cut back ability. His greatest asset is his willingness to play hard-nosed between the tackles. When he learns when to be patient at times and when to kick it into high gear, he will become a serious player at the NFL level.

7. Ray Rice - Rutgers 5-9/195

Ray does a tremendous job of staying low around traffic and his low center of gravity allows him to break arm tackles with relative ease. He is a playmaker out of the backfield as well and though he has good quicks he is not a one step, change of direction back that you would expect from a 5’9’ running back. He’s fast into and out of the hole and runs between the tackles with no fear.

8. Mike Hart - Michigan 5-9/196

Mike had a very good year in a down time for the University and really carried the team on his back when Henne went down. He showed great playmaking ability throughout his career and as a senior he was really their inspiration, and his enthusiasm is contagious. The problem comes when he has no room to run, he'll keep an offense "on time" but has trouble creating out of nothing. A great RBBC type of back but will not be a feature back at the next level.

9. Jamaal Charles - Texas 6-1/190

Jamaal has unreal speed, plain and simple and once he finds a crease he can take it to the house from any distance. He will take it between the tackles but prefers space and will opt to bounce it to the corner whenever possible and try to outrun everyone. Jamaal will be a great weapon for any offense but his lack of balance is worrisome. He tends to get too far in front of his pads, probably too fast for his own good, and though he rarely paid for it in college he'll not likely be so lucky in the NFL.

10. Kevin Smith - Central Florida 6-1/211

Kevin will be able to grind out a living in the NFL because he is a punishing back between the tackles. He won't take it to the house often but he will find the crease in the defense and hit for plenty of 15-25 yard gains. As smart a runner as this class has to offer and I love the way he looks in the open field so given some speed, who knows what he could do.

11. Justin Forsett - California 5-8/196

Justin is a great threat, he is that speedy type of runner and is best in space, especially as a receiver out of the backfield. He has explosive ability but runs very upright and rarely lowers a shoulder upon contact which causes him to take a number of big hits. He would be best as a third down threat and would cause fits for D-coordinators trying to match up but he is not likely a feature back.

12. Ryan Torain - Arizona State 6-1/213

Ryan is a great in-and-out runner which is to say he is very shifty, both in the open field as well as in traffic along the line. He runs with a ton of passion and does not shy away from contact. The post season will be very valuable to Ryan because if he is able to display his tenacity against the best of the best, "The Train" could ride a momentum swell into the draft. He does need to learn to lower his pads along the line and run smaller in holes, it would help turn three yard gains into something more.

13. Allen Patrick - Oklahoma 6-0/191

Allen came into the season as a very hot commodity and was ranked at or near the top of many rankings but he was forced to share the load at running back and that may have cost him. Like many of the players, the post season will be his time to show his skills. He does a great job of slipping in and out of holes and is very elusive along the line. He has a hard time creating out of nothing but when he has a hole, he hits it hard and gets to the second level where he is even more elusive.

14. Matt Forte - Tulane 6-2/233

The question is inevitable, was the caliber of opposition the reason for the success? The answer is known only to Matt but the film shows a back with all the skills to be productive at any level. He has great speed to the corner but needs to run better underneath his pads and work on his balance. He has tremendous field vision and a great feel, and some work on remaining under his pads and dropping his weight better in the open field will improve his stock significantly.

15. Dantrell Savage - OK State 5-11/185

Dantrell has some sick quicks and a great center of gravity. At 5'11" he is very tough to bring down and in open space he is a terror. He will certainly be playing on Sundays this fall but it may be as a return man to begin with. If a coach can find a way to get him the ball in space he would be a great asset.

16. Steve Slaton - West Virginia 5-10/195

Steve is very quick through the hole and has a great burst but is not as shifty as a runner who is 5-10 needs to be. His great speed will create hi-light reel runs but his lack of ability to drop his hips and change direction will look even worse against faster talent. He is a great weapon in the open field and should be a great return man but in traffic along the line he would all too often disappear from games.

17. Alley Broussard - So. Missouri State 6-0/250

When Alley was playing (he did not play in the ’07 season) he was able to do some outstanding things. He is great at lowering his body and delivering the hit as well as making guys miss. He only played for two out of the past four seasons so there are numerous questions but when he touched the ball at LSU, he was something to watch.

18. Chauncey Washington - Southern Cal 6-0/215

Chauncey really showed the ability run with attitude and power early in the season but like many of the USC offensive stars, the season was difficult to gauge due to the numerous injuries. He looked good at the Senior Bowl after he relaxed and hit the hole with some speed but the question of sustained performance will linger until he shows scouts otherwise. When he plays with passion he’s good but his lack of lateral movement will cause problems.

19. Thomas Brown - Georgia 5-8/200

Great patience and incredible burst. If not for Knowshon Moreno blowing up the way he did, Thomas could be right near the top of this list. He is a big play threat but many of his big plays came on the edges and he will need to prove he can stay between the tackles when needed.

20. Kalvin McRae - Ohio 5-9/208

Kalvin has some quick feet and some real good agility. He can get high at times and needs to run lower but his quicks are very impressive.

21. Yvenson Bernard - Oregon State 5-9/203

Yvenson is another back that runs with a lot of passion and will look to impress scouts in the off season and prove that perhaps his sometime lackluster performances were as much a product of team as it was his ability.

22. BenJarvus Green-Ellis - Ole Miss 5-11/225

BenJarvus runs with great passion and power and has a nose for the goal line but lacks creativity from the running back position, good in space but not along the line.

23. Xavier Omon - NW Missouri St. 5-11/226

Xavier in a one cut and go kind of back that has good vision and an excellent burst, in the right system his speed could prove valuable.

24. Cory Boyd - South Carolina 6-1/214

Cory is one of the most versatile backs in the draft and is great out of the backfield. He looked better and better as the week went on at the Shrine game and his hands alone will get the attention of scouts.

25. Rafael Little - Kentucky 5-10/195

Don't let the size fool you, this kid loves football and loves contact as well. Heart and desire can take you far in this game and combine that with a great attitude and you get a team player that makes any roster that much stronger, big ups to whatever team takes a chance on Rafael.

26. Kregg Lumpkin - Georgia 6-1/229

Injuries cost him his senior year so the question about health will be there but Kregg was a very good Junior for the Bulldogs. He is a good all around back and when healthy he is a real good player but lost opportunity is rarely regained, especially in the game of football.