2011 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Running Backs
By Editorial Staff
Here at NFLMocks we are continuing to preparations for the 2011 NFL Draft. We are flying through our Scouting Reports and have put out our 1st Mock Draft. Now we are ranking the top 5 draft eligible prospects at each position. These rankings help complement our Big Board but you will also find some players that are not on our Big Board. We are giving each player a NFL player comparison but I caution everyone to take those comparisons lightly. We hope that you use our rankings to help figure out who your team may target in the 2011 NFL Draft.
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Top 5 Running Backs
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Thoughts:
It looks like a down year early for running backs, but it is the one position where players can make the fastest transitions to the pro level. The value of running backs in the draft has dipped in the past few years as more teams move to a more running-back-by-committee style of play. Mark Ingram has shown the most potential being a Heisman winner for a National Champion, but not even he is projected as a lock for the top ten picks next year. Royster is a tough inside runner, but doesn’t have the speed to be the number one running back. Ryan Williams is full of potential, but that is all he is for now as he will go back to splitting carries with Darren Evans who is pretty talented in his own right and will poach carries away from Williams. Williams also doesn’t have to enter the draft till 2013 and could choose to stay in school. Jacquizz Rodgers will be scrutinized because of his height, but he has more than proven his ability to stay healthy while getting lots of touches and being productive with those touches as a runner and receiver. Noel Devine won’t get the job done by himself in the NFL, but his speed is so dangerous that he will find a place in a teams rotation and be productive.
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Scouting Reports: Mark Ingram, Evan Royster