NFL.com
Best Running Backs
Special to NFL.com
It's a bit of an unusual year at running back. The top prospects are juniors, and only a handful of NFL teams are in need of a running back. There are no "franchise-making" backs, and not many who are expected to go in the draft's early rounds.
T.J. DUCKETT, MICHIGAN STATE
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| ANALYSIS | ||
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| Michigan State's fifth all-time leading rusher with 3,379 career yards, Duckett closed his career in strong fashion. He averaged 139.0 yards over his last seven games. He reminds some people of Jerome Bettis or Ron Dayne. Duckett, who played linebacker as a freshman, has gone from short-yardage guy to every-down back. | ||
| WHAT THEY'RE SAYING | ||
| "T.J. is one of the finest running backs ever to
play here at Michigan State. He has had a very productive career and has
helped us win some big football games. T.J. has all the skills and tools
to be successful at the next level. I wish him the very best of luck in
the NFL." Bobby Williams, Michigan State head coach
"I've often compared Duckett to Jerome Bettis he's a pounder with
enough quickness to bust long runs between the tackle. But to really become
like Bettis, Duckett needs to find more intensity."
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| MOMENTUM | ||
| Duckett's best days definitely are in front of him. And he has already done a lot in a few years as a running back. | ||
DESHAUN FOSTER, UCLA
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| ANALYSIS | ||
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| Could have the most potential of the RBs. He's strong, fast and has great lateral movement. He has been compared to Corey Dillon and Deuce McAllister. A big upper torso and deceptive elusiveness make him tough to tackle. Good inside runner thanks to balance, vision and footing. | ||
| WHAT THEY'RE SAYING | ||
| "To date, he has had most of his big games early
in the year and then gotten hurt and/or worn down later in the season.
Foster is not an overly elusive runner and does not always get his pads
down. When he doesnt, he takes an incredible pounding."
Joel Buschbaum, Pro Football Weekly "Foster's No. 1 priority will be to hold onto the football." Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN |
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| MOMENTUM | ||
| If his fumblitis doesn't scare off people, he could go very high. | ||
WILLIAM GREEN, BOSTON COLLEGE
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| ANALYSIS | ||
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| Green, the country's second-leading rusher (1,559 yards, 17 touchdowns) this season, finished as the Eagles' third-leading rusher with 2,974 career yards. He was suspended for a couple of games the past two seasons for violating team rules reportedly for minor things. But that did cost him the chance to join Mike Cloud and Troy Stradford as BC's only 3,000 career yards. | ||
| WHAT THEY'RE SAYING | ||
| "Green is a complete back, but he's a little upright.
He has to work on his shiftiness he needs to become a little more elusive.
He should also continue to work on being a factor down the field."
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN |
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| MOMENTUM | ||
| Some people think Green could have used another year in school. But that shouldn't affect his worth. | ||
CLINTON PORTIS, MIAMI
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| ANALYSIS | ||
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| Portis is an extremely confident runner, some would even say brash. He's physically and mentally strong. A tough competitor. Needs to work on blocking and receiving. In high school, he was a member of a state (Fla.) champion 4x400-meter relay team in track. | ||
| WHAT THEY'RE SAYING | ||
| "Despite his small size, Ports can and likes to
run inside. With his aggressive style, it will be interesting to see
if he can hold up against the big NFL linemen and linebackers he'll be
facing."
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN "He's a great runner, the defense always has to account for him. [Some opponents] had an extra man in the box on almost every play to try and stop him, and make the outside guys beat you. That's the type of edge you get with a great running back." Ken Dorsey, Miami Hurricanes QB |
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| MOMENTUM | ||
| Smallish size will influence teams, but talent will result in him being among the first RBs taken. | ||
JONATHAN WELLS, OHIO STATE
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| ANALYSIS | ||
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| Wells can run inside the tackles or bounce outside. He's also a fine receiver and a good blocker. Rushed for 1,294 yards as a senior and averaged 5.2, per carry. | ||
| WHAT THEY'RE SAYING | ||
| "Jonathan Wells is virtually unstoppable as a tailback."
South Carolina head coach Lou Holtz "The knock on Wells is that he doesn't possess the quickness required to be a super-productive back in the NFL." Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN |
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| MOMENTUM | ||
| Needs to show he has the elusiveness to be a productive NFL back. | ||
| OTHER RUNNING BACKS | |||
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| NAME | COLLEGE | HEIGHT | WEIGHT |
| Antwoine Womack | Virginia | 5-11¼ | 215 |
| Leonard Henry | East Carolina | 6-0 | 200 |
| Ladell Betts | Iowa | 5-10 | 215 |
| Luke Staley | Georgia | 6-0 | 220 |
| Lamar Gordon | North Dakota State | 6¼ | 211 |
| Ennis Haywood Jr. | Arkansas | 5-10 | 206 |
| Brian Westbrook | Villanova | 5-8¼ | 200 |
| Maurice Morris | Oregon | 5-11 | 208 |
| Tellis Redmon | Minnesota | 5-11 | 192 |
| Damien Anderson | Northwestern | 5-9¼ | 245 |
