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http://www.footballsfuture.com/2011/prospects/rb.html
2011 NFL Draft: Running Backs
By: Robert Davis
This year’s running back class lacks an elite prospect, although two players could ultimately crack the end of the first round. Teams in need of backfield help will do most of the digging between the second and fourth rounds, where the value seems to lie for the position.
The player that tops most running back rankings is Alabama junior Mark Ingram, but even he does not carry a premium draft grade. His ability to be a feature back, carry the ball between the tackles, and pick up tough yardage make him a very good fit for an offense looking for ball control out of their running game. Ingram will pick up consistent yardage and fight for extra yardage at the end of his runs. He has quick enough feet and decent enough speed to hit the corner, but he is not going to run away from defenders very often. That lack of standout explosion is the main reason he will not hear his name called in the first half of the first frame. Ingram’s production and talent should get him taken in the last half of the first round at some point.
RB RANKINGS
Mark Ingram, Alabama
Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
Mike LeShoure, Illinois
Demarco Murray, Oklahoma
Daniel Thomas, Kansas St.
LaMichael James, Oregon
Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma St
Allen Bradford, USC
Noel Devine, West Virginia
Shane Vereen, California
After Ingram, there are a number of running back prospects that could go in any order in the second or third round. Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore Ryan Williams is most likely the second back off the board. He had a fantastic freshman season, rushing for 1,655 yards and 21 scores, displaying a slashing style that led to many big plays. His sophomore season did not go quite as planned, missing substantial time with a hamstring injury and sharing the carries in the Hokie backfield. Williams managed only 477 yards and nine scores on the season. He doesn’t have great size and doesn’t have blazing speed, but Williams does run hard and can pick up tough yardage, while showing the ability make defenders miss and outrun them once in space. Good workouts could help him crack the end of the first round, but he appears to carry more of a second round grade.
Illinois junior Mikel LeShoure has an interesting combination of size and big play ability. He ran for 1,697 yards and reached the end zone 17 times this season. He has surprising feet for a 225lber and can consistently get into open space and pick up big chunks of yardage. He can finish runs, but he isn’t really a bruising type of back despite his bulk. Good workouts could push him into the second round, and his size will help distinguish him among a few other options in that range.
Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas is most likely the top senior back off the board. Along with LeShoure, his size gives him an advantage for teams looking for a back outside the first round. Thomas packs about 225lbs on his frame, and uses it to be a real factor between the tackles. He is a workhorse type back that will lower his shoulder, and battle for every yard he can get. He is not a plodder though, showing quick feet and the ability to make the first defender miss and get to the corner. Thomas doesn’t have ideal breakaway speed, but its decent for a between the tackles runner. Workouts will also play a key role in his final draft stock.
Demarco Murray of Oklahoma is an intriguing prospect. He has good size at 6’1 210lbs, good speed, can run between the tackles, and can catch the football. He sounds like a great all around RB prospect. He’s more of a slashing back, but lacks great elusiveness and won’t create much on his own. The biggest question mark around Murray’s game is his durability. He has consistently been banged up or missed time during his college career, which begs the question about how big of a role he can play in the NFL. Murray’s hands are as good as any back in this draft, and because of his ability in the passing game, he should be a productive pro back. His ability to stay healthy will determine whether he becomes a starting back in the NFL or not.
There are a few backs in the next group that have size question marks going into the draft. Cal junior Shane Vereen goes about 5’9 195 but is quick, has good speed, and can catch the football. He has been a tough runner between the tackles, but lacks the power and bulk to project well as a feature back. Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter is a similar player in build. He approaches 200lbs on a 5’8 frame with good quickness and receiving ability, but he isn’t as tough a runner as Vereen, which definitely raises questions about his impact going forward in the NFL.
.......click here for rest of story on rbs
2011 NFL Draft: Running Backs
By: Robert Davis
This year’s running back class lacks an elite prospect, although two players could ultimately crack the end of the first round. Teams in need of backfield help will do most of the digging between the second and fourth rounds, where the value seems to lie for the position.
The player that tops most running back rankings is Alabama junior Mark Ingram, but even he does not carry a premium draft grade. His ability to be a feature back, carry the ball between the tackles, and pick up tough yardage make him a very good fit for an offense looking for ball control out of their running game. Ingram will pick up consistent yardage and fight for extra yardage at the end of his runs. He has quick enough feet and decent enough speed to hit the corner, but he is not going to run away from defenders very often. That lack of standout explosion is the main reason he will not hear his name called in the first half of the first frame. Ingram’s production and talent should get him taken in the last half of the first round at some point.
RB RANKINGS
Mark Ingram, Alabama
Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
Mike LeShoure, Illinois
Demarco Murray, Oklahoma
Daniel Thomas, Kansas St.
LaMichael James, Oregon
Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma St
Allen Bradford, USC
Noel Devine, West Virginia
Shane Vereen, California
After Ingram, there are a number of running back prospects that could go in any order in the second or third round. Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore Ryan Williams is most likely the second back off the board. He had a fantastic freshman season, rushing for 1,655 yards and 21 scores, displaying a slashing style that led to many big plays. His sophomore season did not go quite as planned, missing substantial time with a hamstring injury and sharing the carries in the Hokie backfield. Williams managed only 477 yards and nine scores on the season. He doesn’t have great size and doesn’t have blazing speed, but Williams does run hard and can pick up tough yardage, while showing the ability make defenders miss and outrun them once in space. Good workouts could help him crack the end of the first round, but he appears to carry more of a second round grade.
Illinois junior Mikel LeShoure has an interesting combination of size and big play ability. He ran for 1,697 yards and reached the end zone 17 times this season. He has surprising feet for a 225lber and can consistently get into open space and pick up big chunks of yardage. He can finish runs, but he isn’t really a bruising type of back despite his bulk. Good workouts could push him into the second round, and his size will help distinguish him among a few other options in that range.
Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas is most likely the top senior back off the board. Along with LeShoure, his size gives him an advantage for teams looking for a back outside the first round. Thomas packs about 225lbs on his frame, and uses it to be a real factor between the tackles. He is a workhorse type back that will lower his shoulder, and battle for every yard he can get. He is not a plodder though, showing quick feet and the ability to make the first defender miss and get to the corner. Thomas doesn’t have ideal breakaway speed, but its decent for a between the tackles runner. Workouts will also play a key role in his final draft stock.
Demarco Murray of Oklahoma is an intriguing prospect. He has good size at 6’1 210lbs, good speed, can run between the tackles, and can catch the football. He sounds like a great all around RB prospect. He’s more of a slashing back, but lacks great elusiveness and won’t create much on his own. The biggest question mark around Murray’s game is his durability. He has consistently been banged up or missed time during his college career, which begs the question about how big of a role he can play in the NFL. Murray’s hands are as good as any back in this draft, and because of his ability in the passing game, he should be a productive pro back. His ability to stay healthy will determine whether he becomes a starting back in the NFL or not.
There are a few backs in the next group that have size question marks going into the draft. Cal junior Shane Vereen goes about 5’9 195 but is quick, has good speed, and can catch the football. He has been a tough runner between the tackles, but lacks the power and bulk to project well as a feature back. Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter is a similar player in build. He approaches 200lbs on a 5’8 frame with good quickness and receiving ability, but he isn’t as tough a runner as Vereen, which definitely raises questions about his impact going forward in the NFL.
.......click here for rest of story on rbs
