info on most rb in draft

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Updated: Mar. 16, 2005, 12:36 PM ET
Plenty of talent beyond 'Big Three'
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By Todd McShay, Scouts Inc.
Todd McShay Archive





Last year's draft was the first time since 2001 that three running backs have been taken in the first round. The first was Steven Jackson (Rams) at pick No. 24. This year, Ronnie Brown (Auburn), Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (Auburn) and Cedric Benson (Texas) should all go in the top 10.

Not only is it unique that Brown and Williams were backfield-mates at Auburn, but even though Williams stole the spotlight with 3,872 career rushing yards in college, most talent evaluators – including myself – feel that Brown will be the better pro.

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Williams



Williams proved at the Senior Bowl that he has the receiving and blocking skills to become an every-down starter in the NFL, but he's nowhere near as versatile as Brown. Williams also lacks ideal size and has durability concerns after consecutive season-ending injuries in 2001 and 2002.

Brown, on the other hand, isn't the proven runner Williams is, but Brown is bigger and faster, and he also is a much better receiver and blocker than Williams or Benson. Brown also hasn't taken the punishment Williams and Benson took at the collegiate level.

Although all three prospects have the potential to develop into premier starters at the next level, Benson provides the least flexibility. Unlike Brown and Williams, Benson doesn't have great experience in the passing game, and he's very average both as a blocker and a receiver from what we've seen in limited views at Texas. Furthermore, with alerts regarding his character, and with so many miles already on his legs (1,112 carries in four seasons at Texas), Benson seemingly has the biggest potential for "bust."

What makes this class of running backs even more special is the depth it offers. The average number of running backs selected in the first three rounds over the course of the last three years was 6.3. There could be twice as many this year, as we currently project 12 to come off the board on Day 1.

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Arrington



So, if your team doesn't get one of the "Big Three" at the top of the first round, there are still plenty of prospects to get excited about in the next two rounds. J.J. Arrington (Cal), Eric Shelton (Louisville), Vernand Morency (Oklahoma State), Ciatrick Fason (Florida), Kay-Jay Harris (West Virginia), Frank Gore (Miami), Marion Barber (Minnesota), Darren Sproles (Kansas State) and Anthony Davis (Wisconsin) could all come off the board in the last two rounds of Day 1.

Shelton and Harris are big bruisers with unusual straight-line speed for their size. Arrington, Morency, Sproles and Davis are the diminutive but most explosive of the group, with Sproles and Davis more likely to max out as third-down backs and return specialists. Fason might be the most athletically gifted, but he didn't run as well as expected (4.58 in the 40-yard dash), and he's a bit of an enigma after just one full season as a starter.

Barber has the complete package physically, but does he have the elusiveness and receiving skills to make it as a starter in the NFL? Finally, Gore has lost a step after two major knee injuries in college, but could be the steal of the draft if he returns to form and stays healthy at the next level.

There are also some backs who were extremely productive at the collegiate level, but a lack of ideal NFL "measurables" will result in them slipping to the second day. Those include Ryan Moats (Louisiana Tech), T.A. McLendon (N.C. State), Cedric Houston (Tennessee), Alvin Pearman (Virginia) and Walter Reyes (Syracuse).

Conversely, there are several backs whose collegiate careers never took off but who have the size, speed and overall physical tools to emerge as better pro players. These potential Day 2 sleepers include Ray Hudson (Alabama), Brandon Jacobs (Southern Illinois), Lionel Gates (Louisville), Damien Nash (Missouri) and Mike Jemison (Indiana-Pa.).

And who could forget Maurice Clarett? At one point early in his career he flashed the talent and potential to develop into a late-first- or second-round talent. However, as it stands right now, Clarett isn't likely to come off the board any earlier than the fifth round – especially with 40-yard dash times of 4.78 and 4.86 at the combine.

Fullbacks


Fullbacks are a dying breed in the NFL, and this year's class isn't going to do much to change that. An average of 5.6 fullbacks have been drafted in the last five NFL drafts and, although we have given 11 prospects "draftable grades," the reality is that this year's fullback class could have as few as three members selected. Furthermore, there isn't one prospect on whom we felt comfortable applying a fourth-round grade or higher.

This year's fullback class can be broken into three categories – oversized running backs, blocking fullbacks and versatile types.

There is a group of four prospects who were primary ball carriers at their respective schools: Nehemiah Broughton (Citadel), Manuel White Jr. (UCLA), Kyle Eckel (Navy) and Justin Green (Montana). Broughton has the most upside of any fullback in this year's class – hence the highest grade – but if he's going to make an impact on offense in the NFL, he must learn to use his big, strong frame to block more effectively.

White, Eckel and Green were productive collegiate runners – Eckel being the most productive of the three – but all lack the physical tools to provide much more than special-teams contributions in the NFL.

The group of bulldozer types includes Will Matthews (Texas), Paul Jefferson (Penn State), Branden Joe (Ohio State), Madison Hedgecock (North Carolina), Kevin Dudley (Michigan), Matt Tant (Vanderbilt) and Issa Banna (Northwestern State). Matthews has the most versatility of the group; Jefferson is the best pure blocker; and Hedgecock, a converted defensive lineman, is the strongest. Banna competed for Jordan in the shot put in the 2004 Summer Olympics and won three Southland Conference titles in the event, as well.

Finally, Keith Joseph (Texas A&M), Zach Tuiasosopo (Washington) and John Goldsberry (Purdue) round out the group of fullback prospects and can best be considered as versatile. Joseph has the most upside of the group, and he improved his draft stock significantly at the combine with his 27 reps on the 225-pound bench, 4.71 in the 40-yard dash, 33-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-5 broad jump and 4.2 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle.

Tuiasosopo, brother of Raiders reserve QB Marques Tuiasosopo, had the most hype heading into the season but really has hurt his chances with off-the-field problems and injuries. Goldsberry is a bit of an unknown because he bounced back and forth between fullback and linebacker, but he had his best season as a senior at fullback and also is an outstanding special-teams player. Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider.
 

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