2008 NFL Draft Preview: Running Backs

March 31st, 2008 by Drew Smith

Keeping with the theme found in the Wide Receivers article by Vince Mullins last week my list will be different than others rankings as I attempt to rank the running backs as they will rank in a few years.

1) Darren McFadden, Arkansas – JR – 6-1/211/4.33

McFadden (right, Icon SMI) has had some off-the-field issues leading up to the draft but I see it more as noise from teams hoping he slips in the draft. He should easily be the best back from this draft and will join Adrian Peterson as the next great running back tandem a la Barry Sanders / Emmitt Smith. I would be shocked if the Raiders passed on him at #4

2) Jonathan Stewart, Oregon – JR – 5-10/235/4.48

Stewart will not be the second back taken thanks to a toe injury that required surgery but should still sneak into the 1^st round. Stewart actually has a body and skills to be just as successful as McFadden if not more because he could easily find himself on a much better team. Of course the injury must be over-come but look for a team at the end of the first round like the Redskins, Steelers or Packers to take him.

3) Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois – JR – 5-10/225/4.45

I have been a fan of Mendenhall for a while and ranked him higher than anyone else this past season. I think his game will translate well to the NFL and should be the second back off the board with Carolina being a strong possibility at #13 or the Lions at #15.

4) Chris Johnson, ECU – SR – 5-11/197/4.24

There could easily be a few backs rank lower who turn out to be better than Johnson but they all carry risk. Johnson will have an impact in the NFL and while he may never be a great fantasy back he will certainly be valuable to his NFL team.

5) Matt Forte, Tulane – SR – 6-1/217/4.46

Forte gets the nod over a strong second tiered backs because his hard-nose running style that NFL coaches tend to fall in love with. Forte can be a work-horse on the NFL level and could be damn good on the right team.

6) Kevin Smith, UCF – JR – 6-1/217/4.48

Smith will not likely find himself in a starting role in 2008 which could prove to be good news as he tries shake off his record setting amount of carries last season. If Smith is given a chance to start on a NFL team I think you will see him be successful.

7) Felix Jones, Arkansas – JR – 5-10/207/4.47

I must admit I am a bit disappointed in the workouts of Jones as he just looked so much faster on the field. Can Jones be that home-run threat in the NFL has to be questioned and I am not sure he can be that work-horse type.

8) Ray Rice, Rutgers – JR – 5-8/199/4.44

Rice has seen his stock climb nicely heading into the draft and could go as early as the second round. However more than likely will come in as a third rounder and have to earn his opportunity.

9) Jamaal Charles, Texas – JR – 5-11/200/4.38

Charles is a perfect change-of-pace back that would nicely complement a back like Marion Barber in Dallas. Unlikely to ever be an every-down back in the NFL.

The next group of backs are ones that I really do not project as making an impact at the NFL level. Sure one or two find themselves in a perfect situation and capitalize on it but the odds are against these backs.

10) Anthony Alridge, Houston – SR – 5-9/ 170/4.36

Alridge is fast enough to have the ability to have a niche in the NFL but just lacks the size to be a consistent threat.

11) Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech – SR – 5-10/215/4.52

Choice has good size and has shown nice running ability at Georgia Tech so I would not be shocked if his name resurfaced down the road but lacks the explosiveness to have a long career.

12) Steve Slaton, West Virginia – JR – 5-9/1974.44

Slaton had a lot of hype during his college career but I just do not see his game translating to the pro game.

13) Cory Boyd, South Carolina – SR – 6-0/213/4.51

Boyd is someone that I consider a little bit of a sleeper for the backs taken in the second day. A great pass catcher who does the little things well can stick around if he practices well.

14) Thomas Brown, Georgia – SR – 5-8/204/4.55

Brown has talent but could never shake the injury bug which will cause him to be a late draft choice.

15) Jalen Parmele, Toledo – SR – 5-11/224/4.47

The size and speed jumps out as ‘wow’ why is this guy getting no love? Well that is because he never showed that kind of speed in game-time situations but who knows with the right conditioning maybe a NFL can get that to translate to the field.

Others:

Xavier Omen, NW Missouri ST – SR – 5-10/228/4.59

I know little of him but the experts seem to like him and what list is complete without have a small school no-name back on it.

Justin Forsett, California – SR – 5-8/194/4.45

Not fast enough for a small frame running back to like his chances.

Mike Hart, Michigan – SR – 5-9/206/4.67

A great college career who will likely never see the NFL field as he just lacks the explosiveness and speed for a NFL to take him serious enough to give him a shot.

Rafael Little, Kentucky – SR – 5-8/194/4.50

Does things that NFL teams like so he has a chance to hang around but could not take the abuse of the SEC and while some people in the south may argue, last time I check the NFL is tougher than the SEC.

Marcus Thomas, UTEP – SR – 6-0/213/4.60

I always thought Thomas was under-used in at the college rank that like Boyd does things that gives him a chance but just is not fast enough to ever be taken serious.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Ole Miss – SR– 5-10/219/4.63

For some unknown reason my gut says we will see this name in the NFL box scores in a few years.

Share the college football love: