Examining running backs for NFL draft (1 Viewer)

[BigTex]

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/17/3559467/examining-running-backs-for-nfl.html

Examining running backs for NFL draft

By RICK GOSSELIN

The Dallas Morning News

Published: Sunday, Apr. 17, 2011 - 1:00 am

Spotlight on:

Daniel Thomas, Kansas State

Daniel Thomas knew his days as a quarterback were numbered - but his vision of his football future differed from most of the colleges recruiting him.

Thomas saw himself as a running back. Everyone else, it seemed, saw him as a linebacker. That's why he chose Kansas State coming out of Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2009.

"They were the only ones recruiting me to play running back," Thomas said.

His faith in himself paid off as Thomas spent two seasons in the Big 12 building himself into an NFL running back prospect. He projects in the first two rounds of the 2011 draft as the top power back on the board.

"I'm a big back (6-0, 230 pounds) who can do all the things a little back can do," he said.

Thomas was selected to the all-state team as both a quarterback and linebacker as a senior at Hilliard (Fla.) High School. Florida and Central Florida were recruiting him, but he failed to qualify academically and had to go the junior-college route.

Thomas played quarterback exclusively in Mississippi but when it came time to move up into Division I, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisville and Baylor all wanted him to return to the defense at linebacker. Kansas State was rewarded for sharing his vision.

Thomas rushed for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season at Kansas State and 1,585 yards and 19 touchdowns in his second season. He trusted his gut - and his gut was right.

Rk..... Player ...........School........ Ht..........Wt........Noteworthy

1. Mark Ingram.........Alabama.......5-9.........215.......42 career rushing TDs

2. Ryan Williams.......Va Tech....... 5-9..... .....212.....Only 110 carries in 2010

3. Daniel Thomas.......Kansas St..... 6-0..... .....230.....30 career rushing TDs

4. Mikel Leshoure.......Illinois....... 5-111/2....227......6.0 yards per career carry

5. Taiwan Jones......... East Wash...5-111/2....194.......4.33 speed in the 40

6. Shane Vereen...........Cal........... 5-10........210........6 2010 100-yard games

7. Kendall Hunter.......Okla St.........5-7........199........39 career touchdowns

8. DeMarco Murray.....Oklahoma......5-111/2...213........4.39 speed in the 40

9. Bilal Powell...........Louisville.....5-101/2.....209........ 7 2010 100-yard games

10. Dion Lewis...........Pitt............5-61/2 .....193..........30 career rushing TDs

11. Roy Helu ...........Hawaii.........5-111/2.....219.........7 TDs of 50-plus yards

12. Stevan Ridley........LSU............5-11........225.........15 rushing TDs in 2010

13. Delone Carter.......Syracuse........5-81/2......222........5,412 career yards

14. Alex Green..........Hawaii...........6-0.........225....... 8.2 yards per carry in 2010

15. Darren Evans.......Va Tech..........6-0.........227.......Split time w/Ryan Williams

The best

Mark Ingram, Alabama

Ingram started only two seasons at Alabama - but what a run he enjoyed. The Crimson Tide went 25-2 during the two seasons Ingram was its feature back. He became the first back since Tony Dorsett in 1976 to win the Heisman Trophy and a national championship in the same season (2009). Ingram set a school record with 1,658 rushing yards in 2009 but was slowed in 2010 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee in August. He still rushed for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sleeper

Johnny White, North Carolina

White was headed for a 1,000-yard rushing season last fall before missing the final four games with a broken collarbone. He has played running back, wide receiver and cornerback in his career plus gunner on the punt team, serving as a special-teams captain in 2009. He can run it and catch it, return kicks and tackle others who do. He's one player who can fill about four roster spots.

Best of Texas

Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State

The Tyler product was a two-year starter, a two-time All-Big 12 selection and Oklahoma State's fourth all-time leading rusher. There's no shame in that - not at a school that has produced Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Terry Miller. "All that history pushes you even more because you want to get your name up there with them," Hunter said. Hunter rushed for 4,181 yards, including 20 100-yard games and three 200-yard games.

Draft projection: Rounds 2-3.

Notable

Cutting out: Thirteen running backs elected to skip their senior seasons to turn pro in the 2011 draft: Ingram, Williams, Leshoure, Jones, Vereen, Ridley, Dion Lewis (Pitt), Jamie Harper (Clemson), Darren Evans (Virginia Tech), Jordan Todman (Connecticut), Jacquizz Rogers (Oregon State) and John Clay (Wisconsin). "I was the second leading rusher in the nation with nearly 1,700 yards," Todman explained. "I felt that was a pretty good accomplishment. I wanted to chase my dream, so I chose the NFL draft."

Staying put: DeMarco Murray considered leaving Oklahoma early for the NFL after the 2009 season but decided to stay. Now he finds himself in a top-heavy draft class surrounded by talented juniors. But he has no regrets. "I felt I had some unfinished business," Murray said. "There were things I felt I still wanted to accomplish. Durability was a question, so I thought I'd come back and prove them wrong. I had a great time at the University of Oklahoma. It's one of the top programs in the nation. We won a bunch of games there, went to a BCS game and I definitely think I answered some questions by coming back, staying healthy and having a complete season."

Sure hands: Jacquizz Rogers was a three-year starter at Oregon State, a three-time All-Pac 10 selection and his school's second all-time leading rusher. But even more impressive is his ball security. Rogers was charged with only one fumble in 952 career touches. That came on a swing pass behind him that he reached back for but could get only one hand on. The toss was ruled a lateral, and Rogers was charged with a fumble. He took 788 career handoffs as a running back at Oregon State and didn't fumble a single time.

Air ball: The NFL now throws the ball on more than 55 percent of all offensive snaps. So every April the teams look for running backs in the draft who can catch the ball almost as well as they can run it. Here are the best pass catchers in this draft:

Running back..........School........ Rec.

DeMarco Murray Oklahoma 157

Jacquizz Rogers Oregon St 151

Baron Batch Texas Tech 140

Armando Allen Notre Dame 119

Noel Devine West Virginia 98

Mario Fannin Auburn 97

Derrick Locke Kentucky 95

Legends: Evan Royster is the only back in this draft class who left campus as the all-time leading rusher in his school's history. Royster gained 3,932 yards to overtake Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris as the No. 1 rusher in Penn State history.

2-0-0-0: Twelve backs in this draft class posted 2,000-yard rushing seasons in high school. Darren Evans (Virginia Tech) and Evan Royster (Penn State) were the only ones with a pair of 2,000-yard prep seasons. Derrick Locke (Kentucky) and Stevan Ridley (LSU) were the only ones with 3,000-yard prep seasons.

STRENGTH OF DRAFT: 7 (on 10-point scale)

There may be only one running back in the first round, but don't interpret that as a sign of weakness by this running back class. This draft is thick in quality runners from the third through fifth rounds.

 

[Team Legacy]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

 

[BigTex]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

that guy didnt even list Jordan Todman either.

 

[munchkin]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

Well it seems as thought that depends on if one plays in a PPR format or not. With a sketchy QB class and few projected #1 WR's a trade into next year for someone in a standard scoring league may not be all that bad of a decision.

 

[loose circuits]

guess I'm piling on here, but...didn't realize Evan Royster was PSU's all-time leading rusher. He's like below 20th on a lot of rankings I've seen. Seems like the credentials these guys are coming out with are pretty amazing from top to bottom. There are a lot backs that are flying under the radar that accomplished some things on the college level, but somehow half the people on this board don't think this class is deep???

 

[mcintyre1]

Guy didn't even get the right school for Roy Helu... where the heck did he pull Hawaii out of?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Guy didn't even get the right school for Roy Helu... where the heck did he pull Hawaii out of?

Helu = Hula??? freud-slip

 

[BigTex]

Goose is the best at what he does, getting the school right is minor.

 

[domvin]

Guy didn't even get the right school for Roy Helu... where the heck did he pull Hawaii out of?

Probably confused with Alex Green,-(14) I can only assume

 

[loose circuits]

At running back, draft class has questions after top two prospectsBy Derek Harper, Special to USA TODAYUpdated 1d 3h ago | 0 | 1With the short life spans of featured backs in the NFL and increasingly more teams using a tandem approach in their backfield, fewer clubs seem willing to use a first-round pick on a running back.It's possible that for the first time since the common draft began in 1967 that a back won't be selected in the first round. But that's hardly an indictment against a strong 2011 class of backfield prospects.The group is led by Alabama's Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner who could well hear his name called in the middle of Round 1. What Ingram lacks in breakaway speed he more than makes up for in balance, patience and vision, and he'll contribute immediately coming out of a run-oriented offense.TOP 500 PLAYERS: Find the best players available in the draftMOCK DRAFT: Cam Newton now a unanimous No. 1 pickIllinois junior Mikel Leshoure also is considered a potential first-round pick by NFLDraftScout.com. But the talent really turns to the eye of the beholder after that. Fifteen running backs are rated among the top 130 overall prospects and should start flying off the board around the middle of the second round.A closer look at the top running back prospects, listed with their school, height, weight and projected round of selection (*denotes underclassman):Running backs1. *Mark Ingram, Alabama, 5-9, 215, 1: He has been dogged by questions about his speed since he was rated a three-star recruit by Scout.com despite rushing for 2,546 yards and 38 touchdowns in his final two years at Southwestern Academy in Flint, Mich. An All-State track star, Ingram was best known for being the son of former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl XXV hero Mark Ingram. The younger Ingram began to emerge from his father's shadow by displaying his bruising running style in amassing 728 yards and 12 touchdowns on 143 carries as a true freshman for the Crimson Tide. That was a prelude to his historic sophomore campaign, when Ingram rushed for a single-season school record 1,658 yards en route to becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner in Alabama's storied history. Ingram also became the first running back to win the Heisman and a national title in the same year since Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh) in 1976. Ingram's junior season was slowed by a knee injury that kept him out of the first two games, and the emergence of Trent Richardson in Alabama's backfield meant Ingram didn't get all the touches when he was healthy. But he rushed for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns, leaving as Alabama's career leader with 42 career rushing touchdowns. He was aided by a sterling offensive line and lacks eye-popping athleticism, but Ingram possesses rare vision, balance and burst reminiscent of NFL all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith.2. *Mikel Leshoure, Illinois, 6-0, 227, 1-2: The Champaign, Ill., native chose to stay home and play for the Illini. Part of the draw for Leshoure seemed to be the opportunity to play immediately. He got his feet wet with 126 yards on 35 carries as a true freshman before starting to assert his presence in the backfield with 911 combined yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore. But a fight with a teammate in 2008 left Leshoure with a broken jaw, and he was suspended for violating team rules early in 2009. It wasn't until last season that he began to show maturity on and off the field, displaying a tantalizing combination of power, vision and burst in setting the single-season school record with 1,697 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Leshoure helped lead the Illini to their first bowl victory in 12 years, and he was named the Texas Bowl MVP with 187 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He might not win a lot of foot races among the NFL's speedier tailbacks, but Leshoure is a powerful man who runs compactly between the tackles and has the vision and quick feet of a smaller back, enabling him to effectively bounce outside.3. *Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech, 5-9, 212, 2: He seemed predestined for Virginia Tech while playing for former Hokie Loren Johnson at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Va. After redshirting in 2008, Williams took advantage of a season-ending knee injury to Darren Evans in 2009 to average 5.6 yards a carry while rushing for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns. He capped the effort with 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns, good for MVP honors in the Hokies' Chick-fil-A bowl victory vs. Tennessee. But he was unable to build upon that breakout season. Williams was slowed by a nagging hamstring injury to start last season and managed 477 yards and nine touchdowns as Evans was again part of the backfield mix. Williams has the vision, acceleration and power — despite a lack of great bulk — to be a featured back in the NFL. But he left school with two years of eligibility remaining and is a bit of a gamble with one standout season under his belt.4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma, 6-0, 213, 2:Sooners coach Bob Stoops plucked this two-way player and two-sport star — Murray was a top-30 recruit as a basketball player — out of Las Vegas and had him focus on learning Oklahoma's offense during his redshirt year. Murray's big-play ability was evident as he averaged 29.3 yards on kickoff returns in 2007 before suffering a season-ending dislocated knee cap. He returned in 2008 to earn first-team all-conference honors by setting the single-season school record with 2,171 all-purpose yards. But the injury bug popped up again with a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 championship game that kept Murray out of the Bowl Championship Series title game loss to Florida. After a solid but unspectacular junior season in which he shared the backfield, Murray again was a first-team all-conference pick in 2010 as he set Sooners career records for all-purpose yards (6,626), touchdowns (64), points (384), and receiving yards by a running back (1,572). While Murray is versatile, he lacks elite explosion, and his injury history is a significant concern. He is a good north-south runner capable of running hard between the tackles and also ripping off big gains with a solid breakaway gear in the open field.5. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State, 6-0, 230, 2: Florida's loss turned out to be Wildcats coach Bill Snyder's enormous gain. When Thomas, a former recruit of the Gators, landed at Northwest Mississippi Community College because of academics troubles, former K-State coach Ron Prince kept tabs on the former Hilliard (Fla.) star. Snyder then returned to resume control of the program and plucked Thomas out of the junior college ranks, where he was an all-purpose quarterback who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons. Thomas also spent a year at Butler Community College (Kan.) and Manhattan Christian College (Kan.) getting his grades in order. When he finally got on the field for the Wildcats, he was an instant star. He was the Big 12 offensive newcomer of the year with a conference-high 247 rushing attempts for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns to go with 25 receptions. He burst onto the national scene with 1,585 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior. Thomas exposes himself to a high number of hits and lacks elite speed, but he can gain tough yards between the tackles, and his versatility as a former quarterback will allow his next offensive coordinator creative flexibility.6. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State, 5-7, 199, 2-3: The smallest of the running backs rated as potential second-round picks by NFLDraftScout.com, Hunter will be drafted by a team seeking to find a home run hitter as a complement to more of a workhorse partner in the NFL. Hunter, a finalist for the 2010 Doak Walker Award, finished his Cowboys career ranked fourth in school history with 4,181 yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. While undersized, don't discount his ability to handle his fair share of carries. He had 20 100-yard rushing games for the Cowboys. He is quick through the hole and sets his blocks up well; he's just not going to bowl over many defenders who get in his way. He also brings versatility as a good receiver out of the backfield and could emerge as a third-down weapon in the NFL, similar to fellow mighty mite Darren Sproles of the San Diego Chargers.7. *Jordan Todman, Connecticut, 5-9, 195, 3: Three seasons at UConn were enough for Todman to become the third all-time leading rusher in Huskies history with 3,179 yards, and he tied for third with 31 rushing touchdowns. He's a similar talent to Donald Brown, who was drafted 27th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2009, though he didn't take off immediately in the NFL after dominating the Big East with a 2,083-yard junior season. Todman was the conference's offensive player of the year in 2010 and finished second in the nation in rushing (1,695 yards in 12 games and 5.07 yards a carry). He has experience as a kickoff returner and might begin his career as a niche back. But don't let Todman's frame fool you — he is short but not small — and runs powerfully behind his pads. He's not as fast or elusive as Brown but could provide a better value, producing similar statistics to Brown's (778 rushing yards in two NFL campaigns) in the middle rounds.8. *Shane Vereen, California, 5-10, 205, 3-4: The Golden Bears are building a pipeline to the NFL with recent pro-ready running backs who went from featured runners in Berkeley to pro starters, including Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett and Jahvid Best. Vereen won't be a first-round pick as Lynch and Best were, but he'll be a player of interest on the second or third day of the draft. He's a powder keg who had 31 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press at the scouting combine — an elite total at any position — and timed 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He has good power, shiftiness and surprising open-field speed and — another plus — is an effective receiver out of the backfield. With a nose for the end zone — 35 total touchdowns and 19 career starts — durability and a track background, Vereen is a sleeper to remember.9. *Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington, 6-0, 200, 3-4: He was the lone Football Championship Series player to leave school early for the draft, and scouts were mildly surprised to see him in the pool after another injury-shortened season. Jones might be prone to the injury bug, but no one questions his toughness. He came to school as a cornerback and had 54 tackles as a redshirt freshman despite missing four games with a broken leg. After switching to running back, Jones took his first career carry 87 yards for a touchdown. He posted back-to-back seasons with at least 2,300 yards from scrimmage. Jones didn't work out at the combine because of a foot injury, but scouts have pored over film of the big-play threat whose speed, explosiveness and rare open-field agility are being praised in draft rooms around the league. He is scheduled to work out April 14 in California, and more than two-thirds of NFL teams are expected to attend. He rushed for 1,742 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior before the broken left foot sidelined him for the Eagles' final two playoff games. His troubling injury history, lack of bulk and level of competition limit Jones' draft ceiling, but teams won't be afraid to roll the dice in the middle rounds if he shows well at his workout.10. Delone Carter, Syracuse, 5-9, 222, 3-4: He is the rare Mr. Football in Ohio that escaped the grasp of Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Carter spent five years at Syracuse, where he had the best of times (2,260 rushing yards combined as a junior and senior) and worst of times (dislocated right hip in 2007). His low center of gravity and soft hands should draw teams needing a third-down back and returner. But he also has the skill set to play an expanded role when healthy. He rushed for 2,788 yards and 48 touchdowns in 2005 as a high school senior in Akron. He turns 24 in June and has upside. He didn't fumble as a senior and wasn't overworked at Syracuse.11. *Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State, 5-6, 196, 3-4: His height is an obvious detriment for teams wanting a running back capable of playing more than a bit part. He is more make-you-miss than run-right-by-you and could be a return specialist and receiving back. Rodgers isn't as thick or powerful in the lower body such as NFL star backs Maurice Jones-Drew or Ray Rice, but he is closer in style to them than he is to more diminutive Sproles and could handle 10 or 12 touches a game in the right system. Height-challenged backs have contributed regularly in the past — think Quentin Griffin, a fourth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2003 — and Rodgers produced consistently with 3,624 rushing yards, 46 rushing touchdowns and 151 catches in three seasons for the Beavers.12. *Jamie Harper, Clemson, 5-11, 233, 4: If given the opportunity, the No. 3-ranked running back in the nation as a high school senior might prove he has the skill set to thrive in the increasingly pass-first NFL. Harper is a hulking specimen for a running back. But he also can fly, timing at 4.44 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day with an impressive 4.5-second short shuttle, 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump and 35½-inch vertical leap. He was the ideal complement to C.J. Spiller and Andre Ellington for the Tigers, and some teams consider him an NFL fullback prospect in the mold of Florida State standout Greg Jones, who remains with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being a second-round pick in 2004. Harper has Jones' same strong frame and physical running style — without the frequent injury history — to be a West Coast offense's fullback and short-yardage plow horse with excellent skills as a receiver. He also was a sprinter and basketball star in high school. A running backs coach will encourage Harper to run less upright to protect his body and the ball, but he's never been a featured back.FULLBACKS1. Charles Clay, Tulsa, 6-3, 245, 4: He is a bit of an enigma to NFL scouts. Clay has shown the ability to be productive as a runner and a receiver in spurts, but he lacked consistency during his Tulsa career because of nagging injuries and limited chances with the ball in his hands. Still, he amassed 2,544 receiving yards and 911 rushing yards in 53 career games to go with 38 touchdowns for the Golden Hurricane. Clay's role in the NFL will likely be as an H-back who can be used in motion and occasionally carry the ball. If he is drafted in the middle rounds, it will be in large part because of his potential as a versatile special-teams stud who can serve as an outside protector on field goals.2. Stanley Havili, Southern California, 6-0, 227, 4-5: He ranks among the best pro-style fullback prospects in recent years. A very good athlete for the position, Havili isn't afraid to stand his ground and take on pass rushers with good blocking technique. He didn't get many opportunities to carry the ball because of the Trojans' deep stable of running backs, but Havili did average 6.4 yards a carry during his career, and his 84 receptions are the most in school history for a running back. The downside is Havili is a bit of a 'tweener — not quite physical enough to be considered a traditional fullback and not fast enough to be a consistent threat as a big running back. Last season also was the first in which he wasn't hampered by injuries.Harper is executive editor of NFLDraftScout.com, whose Jeff Reynolds contributed to this report

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-04-17-sw-running-backs_N.htm

 

[Andrew Garda]

Goose is the best at what he does, getting the school right is minor.

 

[BigTex]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

Well it seems as thought that depends on if one plays in a PPR format or not. With a sketchy QB class and few projected #1 WR's a trade into next year for someone in a standard scoring league may not be all that bad of a decision.

Talent is Talent no matter how you look at it. This is a deep class at the WR and RB position, but to each his own.

 

[eakfootball]

I have watched a good amount of film on all the top running backs and this class really intrigues me. At the top guys like Ingram, Williams, and Leshoure are good but not elite. Daniel Thomas and Delone Carter are both huge backs with great quickness for their size, and Kendall Hunter, Derrick Loche, Taiwan Jones and Demarco Marrey all have the potential to be 1000 yard change of pace types. Dion Lewis and JacQuizz Rodgers are small, but if given 10-12 touches a game could easily top 1000 total yards. Johnny White and Alex Green both have the potential to be like BenJarvus GE. Shane Vareen and and Jordan Todman should be excellent backups, and Da'Rel Scott, Balil Powell, and Darren Evans have potential. Overall this class has excellent depth.

 

[Go deep]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

I do the same thing, but only because im not he one trading a pick this year for one next year. Richardson and Davis are better than any RB in this class, and James might be too. I do like the WR's a bit more this year, but only because i think Green and Jones are Fitz/Calvin type WR's. Thats not to say i dont think there will be a couple of decent backs from this years class, but its a giant crapshoot. This is probably a really good year to have 2nd round picks though, even 3rds. This is the one year i would be willing to move out of the first(after top 5) for multiple 2 and 3's. I also think the NFL draft will mean more this year than most when it comes to a players value.

 

[Go deep]

The more i think about it, the more this RB class reminds me of the 2008 WR class. Assuming Ingram doesnt get picked in round 1, they will probably be drafted like the WR's were in 2008.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

Well it seems as thought that depends on if one plays in a PPR format or not. With a sketchy QB class and few projected #1 WR's a trade into next year for someone in a standard scoring league may not be all that bad of a decision.

Talent is Talent no matter how you look at it. This is a deep class at the WR and RB position, but to each his own.

"Deep" might be a relative term.Are there alot of average talent players? sure.Is it full of blue chipper - studs? Doubt it.Time will tell but to me this is a boring class without the fire power up top.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

Well it seems as thought that depends on if one plays in a PPR format or not. With a sketchy QB class and few projected #1 WR's a trade into next year for someone in a standard scoring league may not be all that bad of a decision.

Talent is Talent no matter how you look at it. This is a deep class at the WR and RB position, but to each his own.

"Deep" might be a relative term.Are there alot of average talent players? sure.

Is it full of blue chipper - studs? Doubt it.

Time will tell but to me this is a boring class without the fire power up top.

AJ Green's and Julio Jones' potential is as good as any WRs that have come out since Calvin Johnson and Mark Ingrim, despite recent naysayers, will be a stud NFL RB. I also think at least one other runner will emerge as a star as well (Ryan Williams imo, but it may be another).

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

Well it seems as thought that depends on if one plays in a PPR format or not. With a sketchy QB class and few projected #1 WR's a trade into next year for someone in a standard scoring league may not be all that bad of a decision.

Talent is Talent no matter how you look at it. This is a deep class at the WR and RB position, but to each his own.

"Deep" might be a relative term.Are there alot of average talent players? sure.

Is it full of blue chipper - studs? Doubt it.

Time will tell but to me this is a boring class without the fire power up top.

AJ Green's and Julio Jones' potential is as good as any WRs that have come out since Calvin Johnson and Mark Ingrim, despite recent naysayers, will be a stud NFL RB. I also think at least one other runner will emerge as a star as well (Ryan Williams imo, but it may be another).

Sorry I was mostly speaking about the RB class. The WR class to me up top is very nice and has a great 1-2 punch for sure.

 

[Penguin Bites]

Has he done a similar list for WR yet? My apologies if this has already been covered and I just missed it.

Thanks.

 

[Steed]

that guy didnt even list Jordan Todman either.

That was intentional.

 

[BigTex]

Has he done a similar list for WR yet? My apologies if this has already been covered and I just missed it.Thanks.

Yes, but his top 100 will be out today

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

Every time a poster brags about trading this year's pick for next year's, I just

I do the same thing, but only because im not he one trading a pick this year for one next year. Richardson and Davis are better than any RB in this class, and James might be too. I do like the WR's a bit more this year, but only because i think Green and Jones are Fitz/Calvin type WR's. Thats not to say i dont think there will be a couple of decent backs from this years class, but its a giant crapshoot. This is probably a really good year to have 2nd round picks though, even 3rds. This is the one year i would be willing to move out of the first(after top 5) for multiple 2 and 3's. I also think the NFL draft will mean more this year than most when it comes to a players value.

Richardson and David MIGHT be better prospects than anyone in this class. Hard to call Richardson a sure thing better RB than Ingram when he didn't even beat him out on the same team. James I don't think is on the same level as the top RB's in either draft.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Deepest class I've ever seen and I'm anxious to see where there guys end up.

And see I don't visualize any of that. I love Ingram, Va Tech man a little bit but after that I lose interest fast.2008...Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles, Darren McFadden, Mendenhall...I don't see any of that in this year's class my friend, sorry.