| January 29, 2004 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 03:57 PM |
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2- Steven Jackson, Oregon St. (1) 6’1 227 Lbs A big, powerful back. Is a downhill slasher. Runs with solid pad level. Delivers a blow at the point of attack, and consistently finishes runs by falling forward. Top prep prospect out of Nevada. So prolific as a prep runner that his high school jersey was retired by his high school. Saw time as a true freshman but made his real impact as a sophomore when he exploded in his first year as a starter. Has a good, quick first move and doesn't waste a lot of time and gets up the field. Has good, not great speed. More of a move-the-chains guy than a big-play threat.
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3- Chris Perry, Michigan (1-2) 6’0 225 Lbs Has good size, and is built well with good speed. Is a shifty, powerful runner with good strength. From Advance, NC, attended Fork Union Prep (the same school that produced Eddie George). Signed with Michigan and saw significant time behind Anthony Thomas before becoming the full time starter as a Junior. Enjoyed a breakout campaign as a senior. Runs with good leverage, and keeps his legs high. Shows above-average technique as a pass blocker. Shows soft hands. Is not the gamebreaking back that tends to go high in the draft. However, he is a quality football player, has developed into a hard worker and a team player. Staying healthy was a problem early in his college career.
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4- Greg Jones, Florida St. (1-2) 6’2 250 Lbs Large, powerful runner. Great leg drive, doesn't stop running until the whistle blows. Has slowed a step since the knee injury but still very quick and fast for how big he is. Has good vision and patience. Can stop and start without losing much momentum in transition. Finds cutback lanes, and hits them with good burst. A nightmare for DBs in the open field. Does not offer much as a receiver, and is only a decent blocker. Jones was one of the leading rushers in the nation after in '02 before tearing a ligament in his knee Nov. 2, 2002. A bit one dimensional in style. Has not yet shown he is the runner he was before two knee surgeries.
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5- Quincy Wilson, W. VA. (3-4) 5’9 214 Lbs Shows good instincts. Shows more quickness than pure speed. Runs with good balance. Wilson has always run hard between the tackles, and runs with good vision and quick feet at the line of scrimmage. Finds cutback lanes, and shifts weight well in traffic. Catches passes thrown at him. Is shifty, powerful and tough to tackle. Is undersized, and lacks NFL speed. Is a decent route-runner, but lacks experience catching the ball in game situations. A tough, dependable runner with great vision. Speed is a question. Son of former Bears LB Otis Wilson.
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6- Julius Jones, Notre Dame (3-4) 5’10 210 Lbs Is shifty, quick and elusive. Has good lateral quickness. Shows excellent initial quickness and burst to the hole. Excellent combination of size, speed and power. Breaks tackles and can turn nothing into something. Makes defenders miss in the open field. Shows terrific hands in limited experience as a receiver, and is a huge threat when he has the ball in the open field. Excels as a return man because of his great vision. Didn't work hard and was out of shape early in his career. Missed '02 season because of academic issues. Brother of current Tampa Bay Buc and former top ten pick Thomas Jones. Had an outstanding senior campaign despite running behind a young and inexperienced offensive line.
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7- Cedric Cobbs, Arkansas (3-4) 6’0 220 Lbs Has the strength, size and speed you look for. Shows good burst and runs with authority. Has shed weight, and is in the best shape of his career. Uses a good stiff-arm, and runs over defensive backs. Can kick it into another gear in the open field. Shows good vision and the ability to find cutback lanes. Is a punishing pass blocker. Couldn't seem to stay healthy in college. Had some off the field troubles. Also has had fumbling problems. Was inconsistent before senior season. Runs too high and takes too many hits to his body, leading to more fumbles and injuries. Is impatient as a runner at times, and gets caught trying to make too much happen. Has had an inconsistant career.
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8- Michael Turner, Northern Ill. (4-5) 5’10 223 Lbs Is an impressive runner with good bulk, strength and speed. He is one of the faster running backs in this class. Outstanding size/speed ratio. Shows adequate vision and patience as a runner. Runs hard and has terrific balance. Is tough and scrappy, and is just as effective running inside as outside. Produces despite opposing defenses scheming to shut him down. Has the tools to develop into a weapon in the passing game with experience. Some may knock his level of competition but the MAC is not a second rate conference anymore. Show poor technique as a pass blocker, and is not as aggressive or physical in that aspect. Lacks elusiveness in the open field. Appropriately nicknamed Michael "The Burner" Turner. Lacks elusiveness in the open field.
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9- Tatum Bell, Oklahoma St. (5-6) 5’11 205 Lbs Speedy; has great potential if he continues to add bulk and run hard. Nice size and great speed. Has some power to run inside and the speed to get around the corner. Shows a second gear when breaking to the outside. Has adequate vision. Can change directions without losing much in transition. Is elusive in the open field. Physically he is a top prospect. Can make big runs if he breaks through to the linebacker. Shows good speed and running skills after the catch. Could develop into a fine NFL kickoff return specialist. Goes down too easily at times. Needs to show more patience in waiting for his blocks to develop. Lacks experience as both a runner and receiver. He has the speed to develop into a good situational change-of-pace back, special teams cover man and possibly a kickoff return specialist, but he still is raw.
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10- Clarence Farmer, Arizona (6-7) 5’11 224 Lbs Is a well-built, powerful runner. Has good shoulder lean and a strong lower body. An excellent natural athlete. Finds cutback lanes and bursts through holes. Great vision. More quick than fast. Breaks tackles and gets good yardage after contact. Is shifty and slippery. Shows good hands as a receiver. Durability is a huge concern after 2002 knee injury. Also has some character issues. Has the talent to be great but injuries and suspensions have really hurt his career. Needs to improve as both a blocker and a receiver. Farmer seemed to have lost a step in the 2003 season, and his dismissal from the team will cost him in April.
Well these are the choices of my top 10 running backs for this year’s upcoming Draft. I hope you enjoyed the write ups for each prospect. Below will be my ranking for the remaing RB’s I have ranked 11-15.
11. Joe Echemandu, Cal.
12. Mewelde Moore, Tulane
13. Bruce Perry, Maryland
14. Brandon Miree, Pitt
15. Derrick Knight, Boston Coll.
caliber. Lets hope we get it done.
2004 Quarterbacks - Running Backs- Wide Receivers- Tight Ends - Centers - Guards - Offensive Tackles -
Fullbacks - Cornerbacks - Defensive Ends -