2012 NFL Draft Preview: Running Backs
Three Studs
1. Trent Richardson, Alabama
The beast from ‘Bama is going to come into the NFL with high expectations, as he should. He is considered the best running back prospect to come along since Adrian Peterson, and to me he could step in as a star in the league right from the get-go. He acceleration, vision, power, speed, third down capabilities, and intangibles on and off the field make for an ideal prospect at his position. He’s not as big as AP, but he can pack just as much of a punch. He looks like he could be similar to a Ray Rice or Maurice Jones-Drew.
2. Doug Martin, Boise State
Another five-tool type of player at the position, Martin has all of the tools required to be an every-down back in the NFL, he’s just not as elite an athlete as Trent Richardson. Martin may not be a home-run hitter, but he’s a finisher and a guy who runs hard on every play. He’s also an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and a guy who looks like he could start right away in the NFL.
3. Lamar Miller, Miami
My third rated running back is also arguably the best home-run hitter of them all. Miller isn’t a great power back, but he packs a punch and if he gets into the open field, you aren’t catching him. He has great size and breakaway speed that will really appeal to NFL teams. My only concern with him is a lack of time spent in college, but that just gives him more upside at the NFL level with less hits taken coming in.
Sleeper Prospect
Jewel Hampton, Southern Illinois (formerly of Iowa)
Hampton burst onto the scene in 2008 with the Iowa Hawkeyes as Shonn Greene’s backup, but he was injured two straight years at Iowa and wound up transferring and finishing his career at Southern Illinois where he had the first 1,000 yard season of his career. Most importantly, Hampton was able to stay healthy and showed great athletic ability at his pro day this offseason. He is a really intriguing prospect to me.
I am not a fan of calling prospects “duds” but some guys I have questions about are:
Bernard Pierce, Temple
Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State
Robert Turbin, Utah State
All three have intriguing talents but also have some question marks as well.