Perhaps the most exciting position to draft in the NFL is the all important position of running back. While some fans and media members clamor for high profile quarterback picks, it is consistently the running back position that is able to make an immediate and direct impact on an organization.
Last season saw the emergence of rookie running back sensations Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. This season should be no different, as the 2008 class of running backs is one of the deepest in recent memory. Let’s take a look at the top prospects and how they rank.
1. Darren McFadden, 6’2, 210, Arkansas: There is absolutely no question that McFadden is the top player at his position. Arguably, he is the top overall player in the draft, tool. McFadden is a rare blend of size, speed, vision and balance that should translate into immediate NFL success.
He is equally adept at getting the tough yards as well as the spectacular. He’s a punishing inside runner who is exciting to watch because of his unique ability to take it to the house on any play. He’s a one of a kind prospect that should be off the board fast.
2. Jonathan Stewart, 5’11, 235, Oregon: Stewart is a quick back, but he’s also not afraid of contact. That’s not to say he seeks it out, rather he’s not afraid of getting hit. Stewart is widely recognized as a runner with solid vision who uses his quickness to make people miss. He doesn’t have pure breakaway speed, but he makes up for it with good decision making, and is also a good blocker. Look for Stewart to be a 1st round pick.
3. Ray Rice, 5’9, 195, Rutgers: Forget what you know about his small size, because Ray Rice plays big. Rice is one of the most prolific running backs in college football history and a solid team leader to boot. His low center of gravity allows him to become a human pinball in traffic, which should give him an edge at the next level. Rice is a consistent performer and a solid 2nd round selection for any team. He is often compared to Maurice Jones-Drew.
4. Rashard Mendenhall, 5’11, 225, Illinois: Mendenhall has practically come out of nowhere to be listed as high as the possible 2nd best back in the class. While I rate him slightly lower, his explosive running style should give him success. I rate Mendenhall as a 2nd rounder but could see a GM taking him as high as middle 1st. He is a burly, 225 pound back with decent speed and good quickness.
5. Felix Jones, 6’0, 200, Arkansas: Jones was a very productive collegiate back whose been overshadowed by his teammate and backfield partner Darren McFadden. Some scouts (albeit few) actually rate Jones as a better NFL prospect because he runs with a lower center of gravity. Indeed, Jones is a very good prospect. He gained 8.7 yards per carry last season, but I question whether or not it was mostly due to the fact that defenses were keyed to stop McFadden. Jones won’t be available after the 2nd round, and could very well go high in the first round.
6. Kevin Smith, 6’1, 212, Central Florida: Smith is somewhat of an enigma. Scouts praise his open-field instincts and vision but question his overall physical ability. He was a record-setter in C-USA, but a bias towards non-BCS conferences drops him to a 2nd round pick at best.
I’m not drinking the Kool-aid on that. Smith is a solid performer with great natural running ability. What he lacks in pure breakaway speed he makes up for with cutting ability. He reminds me of another player named Smith from Florida who possessed questionable speed and he didn’t seem to do so bad, so I like him as a dark horse candidate for the best running back 10 years from now.
7. Chris Johnson, 5’11, 195, East Carolina: Johnson is a scat back, pure and simple. His 4.2 speed and solid running ability are complemented by he decent hands as a receiver. If he can show he has above average receiving skills he will definitely be a day 1 pick. If not, he stands a chance of falling a bit come draft day, but with speed at a premium in the NFL I sure doubt it.
8. Jamaal Charles, 6’1, 200, Texas: Charles is the latest University of Texas running back looking to make an impact in the NFL. Charles is a brilliant runner with great speed and quickness, but he lacks the ability to be patient sometimes, and isn’t adept at getting the tough yards after contact.
He would have been served better by staying in school to work on some of his weaknesses, especially considering the depth of this year’s pool. Still, he’s always a homerun threat, so look for a team to give him a shot on the first day of the draft as a project.
9. Mike Hart, 5’9, 195, Michigan: Hart is a solid, hard-nosed and productive runner. There are questions about his size and speed but his reputation in the Big 10 should quell some of those concerns.
His lack of size may hurt him at the next level, but he’s a smart, patient and naturally gifted runner. Hart could be anything from a bust to a all timer 10 years from now, and I’d bet on it being closer to the latter.
10. Steve Slaton, 5’10, 195, West Virginia: Slaton lacks size and has questionable durability, but he has the potential to be a decent speed back for the right team. He could be used similarly as Reggie Bush with the Saints.
He won’t be able to carry the full-time load, but he should be an exciting addition to a team looking for speedy, pass-catching RB/KR. Slaton should be a mid-first day guy, but could fall to the next day depending on his performance at the combine and team needs.
The Best of the Rest:
Anthony Alridge, Houston: 4.2 speed and pass-catching ability may lead to move to WR.
Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech: Patient runner who reads blocks well, but might lack speed to be successful.
Justin Forsett, California: Shifty and elusive but lacks too much size to only have 4.6 speed.
Allen Patrick, Oklahoma: Hard runner with nice vision but performance level was inconsistent. But, he was Adrian Peterson’s backup (stepped in for him when Peterson got injured) in ‘06, and shared carries with two other backs this past season.
Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State: Fast and elusive with a good burst but lacks overall experience. Another back who shared carries with multiple guys.
Matt Forte, Tulane: Big bruiser could become next Alstott.
Keep checking back to see these rankings and the other prospect rankings as they’re updated between now and the draft, click the ‘NFL Draft’ tab at the top of the page.
