NFL: Ryan Matthews to Enter 2010 NFL Draft
ESPN’s Joe Schad is reporting that sources close to the Fresno State program are saying junior running back Ryan Matthews, who led the nation in rushing this year, will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.
Matthews is considered to be in the conversation as the next best running back prospect behind C. J. Spiller and Jahvid Best. The consensus, right now, seems to be that Georgia Tech’s Johnathan Dwyer is #3 while Matthews is #4.
With that said, Matthews could be the most complete draft eligible running back prospect. He has that nice blend of size and speed similar to guys like DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart in Carolina. He is not lightning fast but fast enough to outrun lineman and linebackers and big enough to run over defensive backs.
Matthews is currently considered a mid second round prospect, but, his draft status could hinge on what Jonathan Dwyer decides to do. As it stands right now Dwyer is the consensus #3 back and the best between the tackles prospect out there and currently considered a late first round prospect.
If Dwyer stays in school for another year then Matthews likely ascends to his spot as a late first round prospect. It seems unlikely that Dwyer comes back for a senior season with Mark Ingram becoming draft eligible after next season he would likely be the top RB prospect for the 2011 draft. It seems unlikely that Dwyer’s stock would get much higher given his lack of elite top end speed.
It is also not entirely out of the question that Matthews works out better than Dwyer and steals the #3 spot away. There is also a possibility that Best drops down team’s draft boards due to him missing at least one game each of his three years due to injury. There is also the possibility Best stays in school to try and prove he can play an entire 12 game schedule. His smallish build and injury history could scare some teams off to the point where they are not willing to invest first round money in a guy like him.
If Matthews manages to sneak into the tail end of the first round Green Bay, New England, and San Diego are possibilities for Matthews.
The Packers are rumored to be in the market for someone who will push starter Ryan Grant and they do not really have an established backup for him. The team has apparently grown tired of Grant’s inconsistent play.
The Patriots have been a running back by committee offense the past couple of years mostly due to injuries and an inability to get Laurence Maroney to play consistently on a week-to-week basis.
LaDanian Tomlinson’s days as a feature back are over in San Diego and Darren Sproles has shown that he does not have the chops to be the primary ball carrier in the Chargers offense.
If he slips to the second round Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, and Seattle could be potential teams interested in Matthews.
With Kevin Smith coming back from a knee injury the Lions may be looking for some insurance in the event Smith is not ready to go or up to full speed at the start of next season. Prior to Smith’s injury there were some rumblings that the Lions may be in the market for someone to share carries with Smith next season, but, they may have a smaller speed back in mind to compliment what Smith does.
Jamal Lewis has already said he plans to retire next season, Jerome Harrison has been inconsistent and the Browns do not know what James Davis is going to give them next season. Cleveland could be interested in Matthews to shore up the position for them.
With Clinton Portis’ future with the team up in the air the Redskins may be in the market for a feature back as well. A lot will hinge on who they bring in as the head coach as to whether they would be interested in a back like Matthews or a smaller speedier back.
Julius Jones has struggled with consistency in Seattle this year and the Seahawks could have an interest in Matthews to compliment the speedy Justin Forsett who has come on the second half of the season.
