Runningbacks
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | ILB | OLB | CB | S
Runningbacks
1. Chris Wells – Ohio State
Height: 6′1″ | Weight: 235 | 40 Time: 4.59 | BroadJump: 10′8″ | Projected: Top-20
Upside: A Very Physical player who possesses great size. He seams to be at a balance at all times while keeping his momentum completely downhill. Thrives off of contact and has very good vision for a big man. Will deliver the straight arm when necessary.(see video below)
Downside: Has some durability knocks and his phantom foot injury will need to be investigated. Has been called immature at times and will need to work on his pass catching skills, pass blocking, and his pad level if he wants to make it in the pros.
Bottom Line: Wells has intriguing measurables and he possesses deceptive speed. He will be the first back drafted due to his excellent college numbers, athletic ability, and tremendous upside. Some have called him a “Adrian Peterson Type” but I would disagree and let folks know that he’s much more akin to an Edgerrin James but without the proven receiving skills.
2. Knowshon Moreno – Georgia
Height: 5′11″ | Weight: 217 | 40 Time: 4.62 | BroadJump: 9′7″ | Projected: 1st Round
Upside: Has deceptive speed and good vision. Good inside runner for a smaller back and a proven receiver out of the backfield. Moreno is known as a gamer and will elevate his will elevate his level of play in critical moments.
Downside: Lacks elite speed and a top gear to run away from corners and safeties. Might wear down if asked to carry the ball too many times.
Bottom Line: I see him as a Cadillac Williams type who can contribute right away as a 3rd down back and spell a proven starter. Moreno could turn into something special because his competitive play shows up on tape.
3. Donald Brown – Connecticut
Height: 5′10″ | Weight: 220 | 40 Time: 4.51 | BroadJump: 10′5″ | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Led the frickin nation in rushing yardage… yup, that pretty much speaks for itself. Brown is an all-purpose back who brings all the skill sets to the table. Sets up defenders extremely well and really sees the field well.
Downside: He’s not as bulky as teams would like an every down back to be. Was not used a lot in the passing game and might struggle chipping/blocking pass rushers.
Bottom Line: One of the best “zone runners” available in this draft because of his solid explosion and great vision, making his decisive moves quickly. Brown needs to find the right team, ala New England, Green Bay, or Denver. Plays bigger than his size and knows how to take glancing blows.
4. LeSean McCoy – Pittsburgh
Height: 5′10″ | Weight: 200 | 40 Time: 4.50 | BroadJump: NA | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Great player out of the backfield. Shows excellent hands, field vision, balance, and technique. Will be ready to contribute on 3rd downs right away.
Downside: Ball security is an issue and his lack of bulk will be an issue. Did not qualify academically out of high school and his maturity will need to be evaluated.
Bottom Line: Is a lot like Reggie Bush, which probably explains why he idolizes him. Great competitive play but he could use to be stronger between the tackles. Needs to bulk up a bit but will be a quality player at the next level.
5. Andre Brown – NorthCarolina State
Height: 6′0″ | Weight: 224 | 40 Time: 4.49 | BroadJump: 9′7″ | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Great size and running strength. Brown has excellent receiving skills out of the backfield and will be an asset in the passing game. Solid blocker and has good feet for a man of his size.
Downside: Durability is an issue here, as a broken foot caused Brown to miss most all of 2007. Brown is not a burner and won’t beat the linebackers to the corner. Has had academic issues and learning a complex playbook might be a problem.
Bottom Line: Brown brings a nice skill set to the table with his tremendous size, receiving, and inside running. Has underachieved by some scout’s standards but considering the difficult time he has had with his foot fracture, he might present an amazing value here if he can manage to stay on the field.
6. Shonn Green – Iowa
Height: 5′11″ | Weight: 227 | 40 Time: 4.65 | BroadJump: 10′1″ | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Doak Walker Award winner who runs extremely physical inside and outside. Great feet for a man of his size. Only Donald Brown from UConn had more rushing yards than Greene.
Downside: Was academically ineligable in 2007 and sat the year out, working for a furniture store and attending a local community college. Is not a reliable receiver out of the backfield and scouts worry about him being a one year wonder. Will be a 24 year-old rookie.
Bottom Line: Greene is an explossive plugger with a body similar to Micheal Turner but lacking in top end speed. Greene doesn’t have a lot of milege on his tires when you consider his 69 total carries in the three years previous to ‘08. Will be able to contribute right away as a two down back but might not ever be more than that.
7. Rashad Jennings – Liberty
Height: 6′1″ | Weight: 231 | 40 Time: 4.67 | BroadJump: 10′0″ | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Jennings has great explosion and running power. Has great size and lower body mass. Has NFL bloodlines, as his older brothers Butch and Bryan both had brief stints in the league.
Downside: Lacks a true top gear to break away from defenders. Does not move quickly side to side. Lacks great hands out of the backfield and might struggle to absorb a playbook.
Bottom Line: Jennings hard charging style gets some scouts reminiscent of Brandon Jacobs at the East West Shrine game. He is a great kid that transferred from Pittsburgh to Liberty to be closer to his diabetic father who recently had his leg amputated. Jennings brings some immediate help as a quality backup that could help spell a starter.
8. Cedric Peerman – Virginia
Height: 5′10″ | Weight: 216 | 40 Time: 4.45 | BroadJump: 9′10″ | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Peerman has a solid build and runs with authority. Nice football IQ and shouldn’t have any problems figuring out a playbook. Graduated early. Peerman is a determined, tough, and driven kid.
Downside: Can Peerman stay healthy is the big question here as he’s had multiple knee, ankle, and foot injuries. Doesn’t have break away speed and won’t be running away from pro defensive backs.
Bottom Line: Durability is the issue and it’s doubtful that he has the ability to carry the load, as he’s never had more than 200 touches in any season. Peerman showed up at the combine and wowed scouts with his workout numbers. The Jack of all trades but master of none.
9. Kory Sheets – Purdue
Height: 5′10″ | Weight: 215 | 40 Time: 4.47 | BroadJump: 10′1″ | Projected: 5th Round
Upside: Great lateral ability and hands out of the backfield. Sheets possesses great speed and flashes creativeness in open space. Very competitive player.
Downside: Maturity is an issue and Sheets appears to let his emotions get the best of him. Looks too skinny and durability is an issue, as he’s missed a lot of time. Played in a spread offense that allowed him to take advantage of wide open running lanes.
Bottom Line: Sheets offers a ton of versatility and has natural run skills that NFL teams will like. He has maturity issues and his durability is a big question mark. He’ll need a lot of coaching up at the next level.
10. Mike Goodson – Texas A&M
Height: 6′0″ | Weight: 208 | 40 Time: 4.54 | BroadJump: 9′10″ | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Great speed and field vision. Very instinctive runner with a nice top gear to run away from defenders. Goodson has excellent hands out of the backfield, effortless motion when he runs, and great change of direction ability.
Downside: Thin frame and durability has been an issue w/ knee injuries. He’s too much of a Reggie Bush type that struggles to move the ball in between the tackles and short yardage situations.
Bottom Line: Played in a spread offense and uses his dynamic receiving ability to make plays. Sees the field well but won’t last if given too many carries. Will need to play in a committee to utilize his strengths and quick burst.
