While the quarterbacks eligible for the 2009 NFL draft aren’t as spectacular as seasons past, the running back group appears to be fairly solid at the top and middle with little additional depth beyond the fifth round. The big names this season include such stars and potential stars as Knowshon Moreno, Shonn Greene and Donald Brown. These players, along with a few others, make up the best players at the running back position in the 2009 NFL Draft.
The following is a look at the top five running backs, at this time, in the 2009 NFL Draft.
1. Knowshon Moreno-Georgia-Moreno is an early entrant into the draft this season but promises to be the best back in the 2009 NFL Draft when it is all said and done. Looking at Moreno’s upside, you will see that he has big game talent and performs well almost 100% of the time. He is always a threat to break the big one and combines speed with power and quickness as well as an ability to cut back and get to the open hole. Moreno has quick acceleration and sees the field very well. What he lacks is ideal size for his position although his size isn’t bad. There are also some questions surrounding his durability that he will need to answer that question before the draft.
Right now, Moreno is the top running back in the draft until someone else steps up to prove differently but right now, it’s hard to see anyone else taking the top spot. Look for Moreno to be the first running back selected somewhere between ten and 20 in the 2009 NFL Draft.
2. Chris Wells-Ohio State-Wells is being looked at by a lot of teams to provide some good power running that will keep the ball moving ala the New York Giant’s Brandon Jacobs. Wells does have his critics however and will have to prove that he is ready for the NFL as he hasn’t been able to remain healthy that much during his career at Ohio State. The upside to Wells is that he is a powerful runner who gives tacklers fits (when trying to bring him to the ground). He runs through arm tackles easily and keeps his legs moving all the time. Wells can move quickly through the line of scrimmage and can usually pick up extra yardage after the first hit. What Wells lacks is durability. He was injured at times during the last season and will have to prove that he will remain healthy enough to play a full season in the NFL. Wells also didn’t catch too many passes and catching passes out of the backfield is big in the NFL. He will have to prove that he can do that as well.
Wells is an interesting prospect who has a lot to prove before being drafted high (in the 1st round). If he can prove that he can stay healthy and catch the ball coming out of the backfield, he should be able to increase his stock and earn a 1st round grade. Look for Wells to go somewhere from number 15 to number 25 in the 2009 NFL Draft.
3. LeSean McCoy-Pittsburgh-Deciding to come out early may not hurt McCoy as bad as some experts think and he is poised to be one of the better running backs in the NFL over the next few seasons. He had a very good season and that will act as a springboard for getting him into the pros. What McCoy brings to the NFL is the ability to be a big play back with good skill and great mechanics. He has good feet and is able to make defenders miss. He also has the speed to maintain the run and has the breakaway speed needed to get through the secondary and get into the end zone. Some will criticize McCoy’s size but he more than makes up for it and that shouldn’t be an issue. Also, he isn’t a power back and isn’t going to break too many tackles. There are also some questions about his durability.
McCoy has a ton of talent and it’s hard to imagine him not being taken in the first round. With good workouts, he could easily push into the middle of the first round and may even leapfrog Wells in the order that running backs are the top backs in the draft right now. Look for McCoy to go somewhere in the top 20 to 30 of the draft as it stands right now or, with good workouts, go somewhere between 15 and 25.
4. Donald Brown-Connecticut- Brown comes out at a good time after having a great season at UConn. He has caught the attention of many NFL Scouts and has a promising future in the NFL. When you first see Brown run, you will see that he is a shifty back who has the moves to get through the line and the speed to accelerate in the open field. He can make defenders miss and can cut back very well. He is quick off the snap and before you know it, he’s through the line and gone. What he lacks is ideal size but he is not overly small for the position. He also needs to think a little faster on his feet and make better decisions. But he is a star in waiting.
Brown will be dependent on good workouts with scouts and at the combine in order to advance his stock in the 2009 NFL Draft but he has talent and could be taken somewhere in the bottom of the first to the top of the second round. And don’t expect him to go away once drafted as he could turn out to have a good career and be a Pro Bowl running back in the NFL.
5. Shonn Greene-University of Iowa-Greene burst onto the scene last season and was one of the biggest reasons why the Hawkeyes did as well as they did in 2008. Greene is a hard charging game changer who could be one of the best backs in the 2009 NFL Draft. He runs with a lot of power, always keeping his legs moving allowing him to break tackles and get loose from arm tackles. Once he gets his legs going he is hard to bring down and will punish would be tacklers. He is also durable and can carry the ball over the long haul. Green is a bruiser in the mold of Brandon Jacobs. What he lacks is experience playing the position. He was only a one year starter with Iowa which means that teams don’t have a lot to go on and will have to do a lot of looking before the draft. He is also not a well developed receiver out of the backfield which could hurt his stock some.
Right now, it’s safe to assume that Greene is a good high second round pick. If teams see that he is going to be very productive and can catch the ball coming out of the backfield, it’s not bad to say that he could slip into the bottom of the first round.
By Bryan Dietzler
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