2010 NFL Draft: Ranking the Running Backs
We took a look at the quarterbacks post-combine last week it is now time to break down the running backs. The top back has been set in stone for a while now, but, there is likely to be some shuffling in the order after the lead dog as a result of the combine workouts.
The Elite
C. J. Spiller (Clemson, 5′ 11″/197) – Spiller entered the combine as the top prospect at running back and did nothing to disappoint. He ran the second best 40 amongst running backs at 4.37 seconds and has adequate size to play in the NFL. Some want to compare him to Felix Jones or Reggie Bush, but, I am not sure I see that. I liken him more the Brian Westbrook than Jones or Bush. Like Westbrook, Spiller seems to be a more instinctual runner who does not rely solely on his elite speed to make plays. Bush and Jones’ major issues in the NFL is they simply try to run by defenders instead of setting them up to miss the way guys like Westbrook do.
There literally is nothing Spiller does not bring to the table for a team. He runs the ball extremely well and one could make an argument he was the best receiver on the Clemson team last season. The Tigers typically liked to line him up out wide and run pass plays down the field for him. Spiller had touchdown catches of 63, 56, 58, and 34 yards. He also returned four kicks and a punt for a touchdown last season. Spiller should have gotten more run for the Heisman than he ended up getting. He was arguably the best football player in the country last season, but, since he did not rush for 2,000 yards or play on a title contender he got lost in the shuffle.
Where Spiller ends up going in the draft could vary greatly. He could go as high as #6 to the Seahawks or fall all the way down into the 20s. Given the short shelf life of the average back teams seem to be waiting until the second and third rounds to grab backs instead of taking them at the top of the draft these days. One argument against Spiller going to Seattle is they already have a similar back in Justin Forsett who was one of the ‘Hawks most productive players when he got the chance.
I would not put it past Oakland to have an interest in Spiller. We all know Al Davis’ love of players who run sub 4.4 40s.
The Dolphins could have an interest at #12 depending on what happens with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams this spring.
The Niners need some dyanmic play makers on offense and are believed to be looking for someone to compliment Frank Gore in the backfield.
With all of the injuries suffered at the position this past season the Falcons could have an interest as well.
It seems unlikely he would fall past the Texans at #20.
Ryan Matthews (Fresno State, 6′ 0″/218) – Matthews ascends to the number two spot after his performance at the combine. The book on Matthews coming into the combine read that he was one of the best between-the-tackles runners in the draft but there were questions about his top end speed. Matthews erased those doubts by turning in a 4.45 time in the 40 at the combine. His running style reminds one of Herschel Walker in that he is a one-cut style runner who is a load to bring down once he gets the corner and squares his shoulders.
Matthews loses some points because he lacks real elusiveness and brings little to the passing game. He caught just 19 passes in his three years at Fresno and his pass blocking is considered to be sub-par.
With San Diego, and possibly New Orleans, depending on what Pierre Thomas does, looking for a between the tackles type of back Matthews could sneak into the tail end of the first round. One has to think with the Chargers parting ways with LaDanian Tomlinson that they will more than a passing interest in a back like Matthews. He fits their style of running game to a tee.
If Matthews falls out of the first round Detroit, Cleveland, Seattle, and Washington could all have an interest in Matthews at the top of the second.
Jahvid Best (California, 5′ 10″/199) – At one point in time Best was in the mix with Spiller as the top back in the draft but he has seen his stock stumble a bit after a recent bout with some serious concussions. He missed Cal’s last three games of the season as well as their bowl game due to symptoms as a result of his concussions. Best posted the second best 40 time out of everyone at the combine with a 4.35 time. He is arguably in the same class as Spiller in terms of being an electric play-maker and would easily come off the board in the first round if not for the injury and concussion concerns. He excels at catching the ball out of the backfield and returns kicks as well.
Best could very well jump past Matthews and end up in the first round based on what teams are looking for in a running back. His speed and play-making ability is better than Matthews and there is always a chance someone is willing to roll the dice on him. It seems pretty unlikely though unless a team like New England, Green Bay, or Indianapolis decides they need to have a speed back like Best.
I would look for Best to land with a team like Washington, Oakland, or Buffalo at the top of the second round.
Best of the Rest
Ben Tate (Auburn, 5′ 11″/220) – Tate is going to move up a lot of team’s boards after the combine as well after running better than expected in the 40 (4.43). Tate displayed good top end speed to be able to run away from lineman and linebackers. While Tate has good measurables he was seen as a bit of an underachiever at Auburn and he does not display good elusiveness in his running style. He is a hit-the-hole-and-go style of runner who does not spend a lot of time jitter-bugging in the hole.
Tate was seen as a mid-rounder coming into the combine and probably solidified himself as a strong third rounders and could sneak into the second round.
Montario Hardesty (Tennessee, 6′ 0″/225) – There really is not a lot of difference between Hardesty and Tate and one could easily see him going ahead of Tate depending on which teams like him. Like Tate, Hardesty ran better than anticipated turning in a 4.49 40 time at the combine. There has been a lot of good buzz building around Hardesty in recent weeks. He is a solid third round pick, and like Tate, could sneak into the second round. His history of knee injuries could scare some teams off however.
Wild Cards
Johnathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech, 5′ 11″/229) – Dwyer was once considered a fringe first round prospect and was ranked ahead of Matthews as the best inside runner in the draft. All of that changed when he turned in a pair of 40 times over 4.6 seconds at the combine. Dwyer could stop the bleeding if he is able to turn in better 40 times when he works out for scouts before the draft. As it stands now he has probably gone from being a sure second rounder down to a third or fourth rounder.
Dexter McCluster (Mississippi, 5′ 9″/172) – McCluster is another guy who saw his stock plummet after a disappointing 40 time in the combine. There were those who considered him a potential second round pick heading into the combine. All of this, however, was based on the notion that he was going to run a sub-4.4 in the 40. Once he turned in a 4.58 his stock started to slip quite a bit. If he can manage to display the elite speed at his workouts that we were all led to believe he has he could work his way back into the second round of the draft, as it stands now he is probably looking at being no better than a 4th rounder.
