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BigPPup
AGM Linebacker and I will bring the pain.


I'm a sports fanatic. I hail from Nelson County Virginia, and thats where I learned to be a Virginia Cavalier fan. I also learned to be a Dallas Cowboys fan because I hated how good the Redskins were doing. I've played sports at almost every level with the exception of being a fulltime professional, as a result I have a great perception on the sporting world. I love to talk sports and I've never been shy to share my opinion with someone.

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Looking at the Backs in This Year's NFL Draft

by BigPPup
created January 22, 2009, last edited February 10, 2009
12
Vote

Okay, so last week we came out and took a look at the quarterbacks and wide receivers that are entering the NFL Draft. Now we are going to take some time and look at the running backs that are leaving college early to go to the NFL.

Of all the positions on the field running back is considered the easiest position for a rookie to step in and be able to make an impact on an NFL roster. For the most part the position is reliant on instinct and the responsibility does not change much when a player makes the jump from college football to the NFL. There is no doubt there some of these guys leaving college early to enter into the NFL Draft will be an instant upgrade for whatever NFL roster they make.

Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Moreno

Chris Wells RB 1st Round: Chris "Beanie" Wells was the lynch-pin of the Ohio State offense over the past two seasons. He is a big back, but Wells also has very deceptive speed with the ability to get to the edge and then run away from linebackers and some defensive backs. The knock on Chris Wells is his health. Not only does he find himself hurt often, he seems to get hurt in the big games or just before them. In all honesty, Beanie Wells probably chose to leave Ohio State early to avoid another injury while in college and hurt his draft stock. Wells will go in the first round, but I don’t think he should be the first back off the board. I would take him with caution.

Knowshon Moreno RB Projected 1st Round: Moreno may be the most talented young player to leave college early and enter the NFL Draft. (Percy Harvins may be the one exception) Knowshon has amazing speed and he has a great burst through the hole when he runs between the tackles. Due to his exceptional athleticism I expect Knowshon Moreno to wow the scouts at the combine and that should be enough to move him into the top ten of this year’s draft.

LeSean McCoy RB Projected 1st Round: Most likely McCoy will not come off the board till late in the first round or maybe even early second round. However, look at him to have the same sort of impact that Felix Jones had after he was drafted late by the Dallas Cowboys. LeSean McCoy can flat out play. During his days at Pitt many anointed him as the second coming of Tony Dorsett. McCoy did not let anyone down with those expectations.

Donald Brown
Donald Brown

Donald Brown RB Projected 2nd Round: Brown is a flat out workhorse in an era where workhorse backs are becoming harder to find. He carried UConn throughout the season, and for his final game in the International Bowl Donald Brown ran for 261 yards proving he was ready to go pro. This is a good move because of Brown’s rushing style he will most likely break down sooner rather than later meaning he needs to get into the NFL and start making money as soon as possible.

Shonn Greene RB Projected 2nd Round: Talk about the Cinderella story, a year ago Shonn Greene was out of football due to academics. In 2008 he was one of the hottest backs in the country and he was rewarded for his efforts by winning the Doak Walker award. Greene is a tough inside runner and he was the only back to pick up 100 plus yards in every game this season. He should become a solid reliable back for a NFL team. Leaving early was the best thing Shonn Greene could due because his stalk could only go down if he played another season at Iowa.

Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee

Glen Coffee RB Alabama Projected 4th Round: I don’t really like the fact that Coffee is in this year’s draft. He is going to need to really produce at the combine and on pro-day to increase his draft stock. I’m not saying that Coffee is not a good player, but he did run behind one of the best offensive lines in college football. Scouts take that into consideration when evaluating talent of his level.

P.J. Hill RB Projected 5th Round: A lot of people said that P.J. Hill reminded them of Ron Dayne. He is big powerful, patient in the backfield and knows how to set up his blocks. However, also like Dayne, Hill is shaping up to be a shaky NFL running back. He is already experiencing injury problems with is something common for a bruising back of his mold. P.J. Hill will likely go on the second day and you will hear about him late next year or sometime in the future in one of those ‘remember when’ moments.


Enable Comment Auto-Refresher
CheezerAll-Star
294 days ago
Score 0+-
Who do you think will take Moreno? Cincinnati?
Permalink | Reply
BigPPupMajor Leaguer
293 days ago
Score 0+-
Cinci would be a good fit for Moreno, but they need a lot of help on their lines. So I think they may go that rout instead. Think O Line
Permalink
Mark1341Soccer Kid
293 days ago
Score 1+-
I think Cinci is definitely going with the best lineman available at #6. If RB is on their immediate needs list then they can snatch one up in the second round.
Permalink
Behbigben15All-Star
293 days ago
Score 0+-
If Kenny Watson ever stays healthy they could probably get away without drafting a RB at all this year. But, since that's not gonna happen they should snag Javon Ringer in a later round. There's no way Cedric Benson will last another year as Cincy's primary back.
Permalink
CheezerAll-Star
293 days ago
Score 0+-
I guess I should have been better with my question Pup. You say that you think Moreno may go top 10. My thought is that all the teams in the top 10 have more glaring holes. Where do you think he will end up?
Permalink
BigPPupMajor Leaguer
292 days ago
Score 0+-
Fair enough Cheezer, it's tough for me to gauge where Moreno will go right now because I have not watched enough of the Senior Bowl practice yet. Nor have I seen the Combines. My point being that those events will greatly affect how teams will pick. I believe that Moreno has top 10 talent (which is what I probably should have said) but you are right in that right now I can't see any team taking him, maybe KC if something screwy happens. I will have mock drafts up later dont worry.
Permalink
Mark1341Soccer Kid
293 days ago
Score 1+-
I'm thinking that Moreno will go ahead of Wells. Like you said Wells has injury issues. I think that if a team is willing to go RB in the top 10, they want to have some sort of confidence he'll be a guy who can sustain the week to week pounding.
Permalink | Reply
LaredosliderJV Squad
293 days ago
Score 0+-
I wish LeGarrette Blount decided to come out...he would be an interesting prospect
Permalink | Reply
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Categories: Opinions | Opinions by User BigPPup | January 22, 2009 | January 2009 | NFL Opinions | Football Opinions | College football Opinions

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