NFL draft position preview: Running backs

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Monday, April 11, 2011
Posted: 1:37 p.m.

By Jared Sherman
CSNPhilly.com Contributor

The 2011 running back class is shallow in terms of top-flight talent, but deep when it comes to mid-round depth. I don't foresee more than possibly one back going in the first round (Mark Ingram), but we could still see as many as six backs go before the end of the secondmatching the total that went in the first two rounds of the 2010 draft.

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 5-9215
Ingram won the Heisman as a sophomore but took a step back in 2010 thanks to offseason knee surgery and the emergence of RB Trent Richardson. Despite missing two games and sharing carries with Richardson, Ingram still piled up 903 yards and 13 TDs while catching 21 passes for 282 yards and another score.

Ingram isn't slow, but he's not a guy who is going to out run you to the end zone. He's not small, but his game isn't running folks over either. What Ingram does better than anyone else in this draft class is see the holes and hit them hard. Call it patience or vision, Ingram just seems to know where to run on every play. He proved his sophomore year he can take the every-down pounding a franchise back endures, and his 32 catches that year shows he isn't a liability in that area either. Ingram doesn't wow me like a Darren McFadden did in 2008, but I see him being a better back than recent first-rounders Knowshon Moreno or Chris Wells.

2. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois, 6-0227
Leshoure has the size you like in your franchise back with the speed to match. Leshoure is a more dynamic, dangerous runner than Ingram but lacks the instincts and patience. He picked up a lot of his carries out of the shotgun. You'd like to see him hit holes more decisively rather than dancing in the backfield. He rarely goes down on first contact and is going to be a nice weapon near the goal line. It wouldn't be surprising if Leshoure snuck up into the first round. A team like Green Bay or New England might be interested.

3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech, 5-9 212
Williams followed up an incredible redshirt freshman year (1,655 yards and 21 TDs) with a largely forgettable sophomore season (477 yards and 9 TDs) that saw him miss almost five games because of injury. Williams isn't an overpowering runner but still runs very hard. He gets to the outside quickly, turns up field and makes people miss better than Leshoure and Ingram. Might make sense early in the second round for a team like the Redskins.

4. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State, 5-7199
Maybe the top third-down back in the draft. Hunter is small with excellent change-of-direction skill. Low center of gravity, quickness and great acceleration make him dangerous in the open field. Hunter gets lost behind the offensive line and then just pops out of the smallest holes. Wasn't asked to be a pass catcher much (only 20 catches as a senior), but didn't do anything to make you think he couldn't be a good one in the NFL. He should be gone by the end of the second round.

5. Demarco Murray, Oklahoma, 6-0, 213
Murray never made folks forget about Adrian Peterson in Oklahoma, but still carved out a very nice college career. Injuries really took a toll on him during his four years in college and he'll probably never be a guy who can carry the load for a team. His strength will be in the passing game; I believe he's the best pass-catching back in the draft. He has great hands and dynamic speed (4.41 40 at the Combine). Murray would be a nice value at the end of the second round.

Five others to watch
Daniel Thomas, Kansas State; Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State; Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington; Jordan Todman, Connecticut; Shane Vereen, California

Eagles interest
Depending on how the CBA gets worked out, the Eagles may need to find some depth at RB if Jerome Harrison becomes a free agent. A couple of names that may fit the Eagles offense are Oklahoma's Murray early and Maryland's Da'Rel Scott late. Another interesting name for the Eagles is Auburn's Mario Fannina terrific pass catcher and shifty runner who was never a featured star in college. Fannin could be a nice late-round sleeper.
Related: NFL draft position preview: QuarterbacksCSN's Draft HQ

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