2008 NFL Pre-Draft Rankings: Running Backs

by NFL Fantasy Football Analyst Russ Bliss

 

Unlike with the 2008 Quarterback Draft class, the Running Backs are loaded with talent. I don’t know if this is because so many teams are using multiple RB’s and relying on a true feature back less and therefore it is easier to see some guys coming in and having value in the 2008 fantasy football projections, or if it’s just that I’ve bought into the hype of so many potential solid RB’s coming out from this year’s class. Regardless, there are several who could come in and be taken in free fantasy football mock drafts right away depending on which team selects them. In the 2008 NFL Draft Running Back class there is a great mix of a few feature type RB’s, along with some who could be very productive in running back by committee situations as well.

 

1) Darren McFadden, Arkansas, 6’1”, 211 lbs: And the hype machine rolls on… I’ll freely admit that there is something about McFadden I can’t quite place that makes me less enthusiastic about him then many others. Oh, he’s got speed (4.33 40 yard dash at the NFL scouting combine), and has produced outstanding numbers against some of the toughest defenses in college football the last 3 years, but I have seen him tackled too easily at first contact and his maturity is questionable. He tried to really dispel concerns about his character the last couple of months, and has said all the right things, but perhaps I’ve seen that too many times as well to just take it on face value. On the plus side, McFadden is exceptionally fast and has big play ability. He runs strong and has great natural running instincts. Underrated as a pass catcher since he wasn’t asked to catch a lot of balls in college. I actually found it funny that one magazine I read made practically the same claim about McFadden that I did last year in my 2007 Rookie Running Backs review about Adrian Peterson: as good a RB as any to come out of college in the last 20 years. Difference is we KNOW what Peterson did last year as an NFL rookie. We’ll just have to wait and see about McFadden. I’m not about to say that about this kid. Not yet anyway. As for his draft slot, it’s widely regarded that unless another team moves up to one of the top 3 spots, the Oakland Raiders would take McFadden at #4 overall in the first round. There is no chance he slips past the Jets at the 6th pick if the Raiders blow it and pass on him.

 

2) Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois, 5’10”, 225 lbs: Mendenhall has the build and feel of a solid feature RB at the NFL level. He’s got enough speed to be a breakaway threat (4.45 in the 40) and the body style to move a pile. He also catches the ball surprisingly well for a RB his size. Another nice plus for him is that as only having been a one year feature RB in college, he hasn’t logged a ton of mileage on his legs. As for his downside, he did have a problem with fumbling the ball early in his college career, and he also has some psychological growing up to do as his maturity has been questioned, as has his competitive spirit. But if those concerns can be answered correctly, there’s no reason to think Mendenhall shouldn’t be a solid NFL Fantasy Football running back.

 

3) Jonathan Stewart, Oregon, 5’10”, 235 lbs: Stewart is a load of a RB possessing the ideal bulk to be a feature guy at the NFL level. He compares himself to Jamal Lewis, and I agree totally with that assessment. He has a very strong lower body and is capable of carrying defenders for extra yards. Has good speed (4.48 in the 40) and has shown breakaway ability. Possibly the best pass blocker of all the potential stud RB’s in this NFL draft class. Has played thru minor injuries and like Mendehall, didn’t carry the load for his team until his last year in college so he hasn’t logged the miles of some guys and could have a longer NFL career because of it. Not an explosive runner, but a workhorse type with good work ethic and team attitude. The thing that will drop him in where he gets drafted is a turf toe injury he had surgery on in March. The expected recovery time is 4-6 months and whether he’ll be ready for the opening of NFL training camps is uncertain.

 

4) Felix Jones, Arkansas, 5’10 ¼”, 210 lbs: Lost in all the hype of Darren McFadden is his former backfield mate at Arkansas, Jones. Jones rushed for over 1,100 yards each of the last 2 seasons but was overshadowed by his teammate. A very good athlete, Jones is an elusive, shifty RB with solid speed (4.47 in the 40) and exciting skills returning kickoffs. Was never a feature runner in college though and you have to wonder if he can be one in the pro’s. But he’s proven what he can do as a complimentary RB and the results in college were stellar. With so many teams in the NFL using multiple RB committees now, Jones could excel in the same type of situation as Maurice Jones-Drew has in Jacksonville where he splits time with Fred Taylor.

 

5) Kevin Smith, Central Florida, 6’1”, 216 lbs: Smith has the measurables you look for in a feature RB in the NFL. Excellent size and speed (4.47 in the 40), has good hands, and an aggressive running style. Has displayed vision and is competitive. However, it’s one thing to knock around Conference USA competition for 2,567 yards and 29 TD’s (which is what he did in 14 games in 2007), it’s quite another to make the jump up the pro level and have that type of success. It also needs to be noted that he’s carried the ball over 900 times in the last 3 years in college and that type of mileage could lead to him breaking down faster in the NFL.

 

 

6) Jamaal Charles, Texas, 5’11”, 200 lbs: A game-breaker with excellent speed (4.38 in the 40), Charles is a one cut and go guy. He is elusive and can make big plays if he gets a crease. Not a power runner though, and since he didn’t reach an average of 20 carries per game in any season, it’s very questionable if he can take the pounding to be a feature RB. But for a team that has a big runner, Charles is possibly the best complimentary RB to that style in this draft. Gets compared to Tatum Bell a lot. For fantasy football purposes, let’s hope that’s the good Bell and not the mediocre one we’ve seen recently.

 

7) Chris Johnson, East Carolina, 5’11”, 197 lbs: Blink and he’s gone. Probably the fastest player in the draft (ran a nigh unbelievable 4.24 in the 40). Johnson is a home run threat any time the ball is in his hands. However, he lacks bulk, and is not in any way a powerful runner who will break tackles or push through tight spaces inside. An excellent receiver out of the backfield though and runs very good routes for a RB. Needs to bulk up some and get tougher though if he is to be able to take more than 10-15 carries in an NFL game. His immediate NFL contribution is likely as a 3rd down RB and change of pace guy who also is a dangerous threat returning kicks.

 

8) Ray Rice, Rutgers, 5’8”, 199 lbs: A very productive 3 year starter at Rutgers, Rice uses his lack of height to run low to the ground and get under defenders so he can push them off their feet. More quick thru the hole than flat out fast, he can get thru a gap, but doesn’t have the second gear necessary to pull away from pursuing defenders. But he’s a smart runner with good vision to know where he has to go with the ball. Rice has decent hands and catches the ball well as a receiver out of the backfield. One big concern is that he’s carried the ball 910 times the last 3 seasons and while he has been durable, that’s a lot of wear on a smaller RB entering the NFL. It’s probable that his lack of size means he will have to excel in a time share situation in the NFL.

 

Others to keep an eye on:

 

Matt Forte, Tulane: Big RB with power, hands, and great work ethic, but little speed.

 

Mike Hart, Michigan: Lacks size and speed, but is tough as nails and plays bigger than he is.

 

Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech: Tough undersized RB who plays with a ton of heart and is a leader, but does not possess the measurables preferred in a feature NFL RB.

 

Steve Slaton, West Virginia: Small, super-productive college RB with great speed projects as a 3rd down back and return’s specialist.

 

Keep an eye on all these guys and be sure to take advantage of all our pre-season content at fantasy football starters.com especially our free fantasy football mock draft software due out in May!