With so much attention focused on the ongoing labor discussions, the 2011 NFL Draft has flown under the radar.
Sure, we’ve heard all of the arguments and debates concerning this year’s quarterback class, particularly given Cam Newton’s tumultuous and dominant 2010 season. But, outside of the Ryan Mallett, Blaine Gabbert and Newton discussions, it’s been a fairly quiet period.
Everyone watched the T-shirt and short exhibition known as the NFL Combine. We all lauded the efforts of the high-jump, shuttle and broad jump. It just seems like it occurred so long ago.
So, let’s reintroduce ourselves to the 2011 running back draft class that enthralled us during this past NCAA campaign. I’ll get things started with the Hokies.
1. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
Williams electrified the college football nation during the 2009 season as a redshirt freshman. He racked up 1,655 rushing yards (5.7 yards per carry) with 21 touchdowns. He was beset by a hamstring injury as a sophomore, limited to 110 attempts and a 4.3-yard per carry average. Williams may be undersized on paper (5-foot-9), but doesn’t shy away from contact and runs through tackles. He’s quick to the outside and performed reasonably well as a receiver in limited opportunities. Williams has game-changing talent and will be the head of the class on Fantasy Draft Day 2011.
2. Mark Ingram, Alabama
The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner missed a game because of a knee injury and participated as part of a split backfield with Trent Richardson. Ingram scored 13 touchdowns, including a 54-yard sprint, and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.
Ingram demonstrated all the requisite skills to be an every-down NFL back. He has good size at 5-foot-10 and 215-220 pounds to run between the tackles and enough speed to break it outside. Ingram has demonstrated a willingness to operate in blitz pick-up and did amass 53 receptions in his final two seasons at Alabama. He’s most certainly battle-tested coming out of the SEC.
3. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois
If players had the ability to choose one game to showcase their skills for scouts and team officials, then Leshoure would hand-deliver a DVD of his mind-boggling performance against my Northwestern Wildcats (330 yards). Leshoure stands nearly six feet tall and carries 230 pounds with the nimble feet of a speed back. He hits the hole quickly and runs with authority, often running through first contact while pushing for extra yardage. Leshoure should be able to contribute immediately as a third-down back and his pass-protection skills will earn him additional playing time.
4. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State
Hunter operates primarily between the tackles, uses his low base to drive back would-be tacklers and has the lateral foot speed to break to the outside. He rushed for 1,548 yards on 271 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and scored 16 touchdowns while playing a minimal role in the passing game (had 20 receptions for 101 yards).
Despite his size (5-foot-7), Hunter demonstrated an ability to pick up blitzes (he weighs 200 pounds) and to move the pile. He compares physically to Maurice Jones-Drew. Can he match the production?
5. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
Now you see him. Now you don’t. Rodgers demonstrated a fantastic inside-out game for the Beavers. He’d frequently run between the tackles, duck behind a lineman and then accelerate to the outside. Rodgers runs with authority and has the speed to get to the edge.
The biggest knock on Rodgers is obviously his size. Though he carried 195 pounds on his frame, Rodgers stands just 5-foot-7. He excels as a receiver out of the backfield (with 132 receptions in the past two seasons) and makes linebackers and cornerbacks miss in the open field. Rodgers won’t be able to pass-protect consistently, so he’ll serve as part of a committee. Still, most coaches would love to have this type of weapon at their disposal.
6. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
Murray is a fantastic multi-purpose threat, producing electrifying runs and big plays as a receiver. He amassed 1,808 total yards and 20 touchdowns (15 rushing) last season for the Sooners to approach his 2008 brilliance. Sandwiched between his dominant sophomore and senior seasons was an injury-riddled junior season. The ceiling for Murray is high, provided that he can leave questions about his durability in the rearview mirror. Murray played through knee, ankle and hamstring injuries during his Oklahoma career. His running style plays a big role in his injury history, as Murray runs upright. An adjustment in his running level could translate to big-time NFL production.
7. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
Thomas rates as a tremendous power option at the next level following two dominant seasons at Kansas State. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored 30 touchdowns while obliterating Big 12 competition. At 230 pounds, the 6-foot-1 Thomas dominates in short-yardage situations and has demonstrated the ability to bounce off of would-be tacklers and break to the outside. His dominance between the tackles is well-noted, but Thomas also quietly amassed 52 receptions in his two-year tenure. There’s a lot of upside here.
8. Jordan Todman, Connecticut
Todman kept the Huskies rolling in two years as the feature back following Donald Brown. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored 14 touchdowns in both seasons. Todman proved ultra-durable with 569 carries and 40 receptions during this two-year period.
He stands only 5-foot-9, so Todman’s ability to take on a sizable workload at the NFL level is a huge question. However, Todman doesn’t avoid contact and had a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. He has the goods to be a strong second back in a committee.
9. Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington
Jones was unable to participate in the NFL Combine because of a foot injury. Scouts still await their opportunity to size him up fully in anticipation of draft weekend and have their stopwatches ready. He stands six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds, so he has the size for the next level. Jones’ speed and dominance in the open field is what sets him apart.
In two years at Eastern Washington, Jones amassed 3,858 yards with 36 touchdowns (including seven receiving). He’s a fantastic receiver out of the backfield with the ability to break ankles in the open field.
10. Shane Vereen, California
Vereen averaged 5.1 yards per carry in his three-year run at California and scored a total of 35 touchdowns (six receiving). He hits the hole quickly and has the power (he weighs 205 pounds) to break tackles. Vereen clocked in with a sub-4.5 40-yard dash and breakaway speed in the open field. However, he’s a widely seen as a liability in pass protection, which will limit his reps.
11. Stevan Ridley, LSU
Ridley was limited in 2009 because of a knee injury before becoming the full-time option in 2010. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry and dominated at the goal line with 15 touchdowns. Ridley operates as a power back between the tackles to move the pile. He’s not a factor in the passing game and will likely translate as a third-down back in the NFL.
12. Delone Carter, Syracuse
Carter is a strong power runner in a fireplug body. At 5-foot-9 and 225 pounds, he has the physicality to run through would-be tacklers and excel in short-yardage situations. Carter averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns, a strong improvement on his 4.3-yard rushing average of 2009 (he scored 12 total touchdowns in 2009). He doesn’t offer much in the passing game, producing just 20 receptions in his final two seasons at Syracuse. Carter did miss the 2007 season because of a dislocated hip.
13. Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
Lewis racked up 1,799 rushing yards with 17 touchdowns in the 2009 season. He was slowed by a shoulder injury in 2010, but still amassed nearly 1,300 total yards with 13 touchdowns. Lewis hits the hole quickly and has the speed and lateral bounce to break it to the outside. Lewis stands 5-foot-8 and has struggled in pass protection, though he performed well as a receiver (with 52 receptions in two seasons).
14. Jamie Harper, Clemson
Harper performed well in a split backfield as a three-year player in Clemson. He averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, but recorded 35 receptions and scored a total of 10 touchdowns. At 5-foot-11 and 235 pounds, he certainly has the physical stature to run at the next level and operates well in space.
15. Allen Bradford, USC
Bradford averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2009 with eight touchdowns. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry in limited action in 2010 as part of a split backfield. Bradford never completed a full season as the top option in the USC backfield, as he was beset by hip injuries during his career.
There’s a lot to like about his game. Bradford stands nearly six feet tall and weighs 235 pounds. He runs through arm tackles and possesses good lateral movement. He’s a project with great upside coming into the draft.
