RB: 1. Mark Ingram (Alabama) Projected: 23rd pick in the draft Where I would take him: top 15 (teams don't need to take RB's earlier) Ingram is by far the top RB in the draft. The former Heisman trophy winner is recovering from a knee injury. However, while not having blazing speed he is a smart runner. He knows how to get up field quickly and gain positive yards. He has been compared to Emmit Smith quite a bit. 2. Mikel Leshoure (Illinois) Projection: early 2nd Where I'd take him: 2nd This guy has some great burst and would be perfect in a one cut type scheme. He also has the strength to run through tackles. He may not be elusive but should still be successful. 3. Ryan Williams (VT) Projection: 2nd Where I'd take him: ? Williams is a powerful runner with durability concerns who was never really the featured back in college. 4. Demarco Murray (Oklahoma) Projection: 2nd Where I'd take him: ? The guy has been hurt ALOT and split carries quite alot as well. He can catch the ball and is arguably the top 3rd down type gamebreaker in the draft. He had 27 td's in one season one of his years in Norman. 5. Daniel Thomas (Kansas St.) Projection: 2nd Where I'd take him: ? Thomas is a powerful RB who has put up some nice numbers despite being a JUCO transfer. He has struggled with fumbling a little bit. 6. Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.) Projection: 2nd Where I'd take him: ? Hunter is a great 3rd down guy. Comparisons to Darren Sproles are legitimate. He is a small guy at 5'7 but is more powerful and can take a hit better than his size would indicate. 7. Delone Carter (Syracuse) Projection: 3rd Where I'd take him: 2nd-3rd I'm a huge fan of this guy. He has clearly been in the weight room alot. He is a compact guy with a ton of power who has great vision. This guy could be a great steal. He is a physical runner that makes defenders look ridiculous. 8. Jordan Todman (Connecticut) Projection: 2nd-3rd Where I'd take him: 2nd-3rd His vision is fantastic and is among the best of the runners in this draft. He has some power to him even if he doesn't have elite speed. Some have argued he is a better prospect than former Uconn RB Donald Brown. 9. Taiwan Jones (Eastern Washington) Projection: 2nd Where I'd take him: ? This guy is very very fast. He has been to Chris Johnson due to being so under the radar before a big 40 time. His issues are his size and injury history. Teams will be concerned that he won't be able to hold up for as long as the NFL season is. 10. Shane Vereen (Cal.) Projection: 3rd Where I'd take him: ? Vereen is a shifty back. He can catch the ball and his only issue is he doesn't really stand out in any one big area but is good in a bunch of areas if that makes sense. FB: 1. Charles Clay (Tulsa) Projection: 4th Where I'd take him: ? Clay is an H-back type that can catch the football. Has been hurt quite a bit and isn't a strong lead blocker. 2. Owen Marecic (Stanford) Projection: 4th Where I'd take him: ? This guy is the best lead blocking FB in the draft. He started both ways in college and is pretty much a bad butt. Rumors have come out that he interviewed poorly at the combine but I suppose this might be disinformation. Don't be shocked if the 49ers, led by former Stanford HC Jim Harbaugh, grabs him as they need a lead blocker. 3. Anthony Sherman (Uconn) Projection: 5th Where I'd take him: ? Sherman is a traditional lead blocker with some solid hands. 4. Stanley Havili (USC) Projection: 5th Where I'd take him: ? Havili is a versatile guy. He can run, block, and catch. Havili is currently hurt which is why he won't be taken higher even though he arguably should be. While being able to do everything a FB must do well he doesn't do any of it great. 5. Henry Hynoski (Pitt.) Projection: 5th Where I'd take him: ? Hynoski is your regular lead blocker type. However, at 6'2 his height is actually a detriment as he struggles to stay low at times. He should make a team though and has pedigree as his Dad played in the NFL. Honorable mention at FB: UGA FB Shaun Chapas Bama H-Back Preston Dial South Carolina FB Patrick Dimarco
I think Taiwan Jones will be 1st RB taken in the draft b/c he is a special talent that can give u the "homerun" threat as well as breaking tackles and catching outa the b-field. Ingram will be a good RB, especialy in short yardage situations, as a Texans fan I know how extremely important those situations are. But the potential to score on any play is tempting to any coach or owner. As a team u need 1 of each, but the rarity of Taiwon Jones talent will push him up into 1st round.(IMO)
there aren't many what I call count on backs in this draft. The only one is Ingram and just something about that knee makes me wonder. Maybe he came back too early and it is worse that anyone is letting on. LeShoure can be a beast but he may be a bust. He has the size but doesn't play like it. He is fast for a back but not quick. Be a good inside runner but a #1. Alot of these running backs are like that. If you are looking for a back to compliment your backfield then this group will do. If you are looking for the missing piece then too bad. I could be wrong though.
i think jones has a solid chance to go in the second round and be the 2nd, maybe 3rd back off the board. hes eerily similar to chris johnson (who was most definitely not a first round prospect and was still taken in the first)
