Runningback Rankings

[AddisonStSox]

The top 16 runningbacks as of Janurary 12. This list, perhaps more than any other position ranking, will change drastically during and after combines.

 

1. Cedric Benson TEXAS- Cedric leads that group of what I consider one of the best runningback classes in the past 7 years. Benson has great size at 6'0 220, and gamebreaking capability. Although his character issues make him a bit of a draft-day risk, Benson's talent should outweigh all of those issues; far and away the best runningback of 2005. 4.5 40 Time.

 

2. Carnell Williams AUBURN- Carnell is quite possibly the best overall athlete in the 2005 draft class. Carnell is an extremely balanced runner that uses his speed and athletic ability to make big plays; some NFL scouts question is small size at 5'11, 205, as well as his hands, but very few question his potential impact in the NFL.

 

3. Ciatrick Fason FLORIDA- Declaring after a monstrous junior campaign, Ciatrick has passed Ronnie Brown in terms of this year's RB ranking. Ciatrick has fantastic speed (4.4 40 Time) and good size at 6'0, 215. Although I wish he remained in Gainesville for his senior year, Fason should produce very quickly in the NFL, despite his need to mature as a runner.

 

4. Frank Gore MIAMI- Here's my boy. Gore, one of the most unlucky players while at Miami, was considered the best RB at his age coming out of high school. This season, Gore battled back from serious injury to put up stunning numbers. If he didn't get hurt in 2001, Miami halfbacks Willis McGahee and Clinton Portis would never have gotten the opportunities they had. Had he stayed healthy, Gore could have been the number one RB in the draft. He will make a team very, very happy one day; Frank can be the steal of the draft, going somewhere in the second round.

 

5. Ronnie Brown AUBURN- Part of the two-headed monster, Brown was a large part of the Tiger's success in 2004. What makes Brown so dangerous is his abilty to play like a small back at 6'1, 225. Believe it or not, Brown is one of the fastest players in the draft. Brown can overpower you up the gut, then cut outside and become a first-class play maker. Playing behind Carnell may land Brown a later pick in the first round.

 

6. Vernand Morency OK ST

7. T.A. McLendon NC ST

8. J.J. Arrington CAL

9. Kay-Jay Harris WVU

10. Walter Reyes SYR

11. Ryan Moats LA TECH (*Sleeper*)

12. Anthony Davis WIS (Amazing Speed)

13. Darren Sproles (Little Darren, 5'7, 185)

14. Cedric Houston TEN

15. Marion Barber MIN

16. Maurice Clarett OHIO ST

[T R U]

The top 16 runningbacks as of Janurary 12.  This list, perhaps more than any other position ranking, will change drastically during and after combines. 

 

1.  Cedric Benson TEXAS- Cedric leads that group of what I consider one of the best runningback classes in the past 7 years.  Benson has great size at 6'0 220, and gamebreaking capability.  Although his character issues make him a bit of a draft-day risk, Benson's talent should outweigh all of those issues; far and away the best runningback of 2005.  4.5 40 Time.

 

2.  Carnell Williams AUBURN- Carnell is quite possibly the best overall athlete in the 2005 draft class.  Carnell is an extremely balanced runner that uses his speed and athletic ability to make big plays; some NFL scouts question is small size at 5'11, 205, as well as his hands, but very few question his potential impact in the NFL.

 

3.  Ciatrick Fason FLORIDA-  Declaring after a monstrous junior campaign, Ciatrick has passed Ronnie Brown in terms of this year's RB ranking.  Ciatrick has fantastic speed (4.4 40 Time) and good size at 6'0, 215.  Although I wish he remained in Gainesville for his senior year, Fason should produce very quickly in the NFL, despite his need to mature as a runner.

 

4.  Frank Gore MIAMI- Here's my boy.  Gore, one of the most unlucky players while at Miami, was considered the best RB at his age coming out of high school.  This season, Gore battled back from serious injury to put up stunning numbers.  If he didn't get hurt in 2001, Miami halfbacks Willis McGahee and Clinton Portis would never have gotten the opportunities they had.  Had he stayed healthy, Gore could have been the number one RB in the draft.  He will make a team very, very happy one day; Frank can be the steal of the draft, going somewhere in the second round.

 

5.  Ronnie Brown AUBURN- Part of the two-headed monster, Brown was a large part of the Tiger's success in 2004.  What makes Brown so dangerous is his abilty to play like a small back at 6'1, 225.  Believe it or not, Brown is one of the fastest players in the draft.  Brown can overpower you up the gut, then cut outside and become a first-class play maker.  Playing behind Carnell may land Brown a later pick in the first round.

 

6.  Vernand Morency OK ST

7.  T.A. McLendon NC ST

8.  J.J. Arrington CAL

9.  Kay-Jay Harris WVU

10.  Walter Reyes SYR

11.  Ryan Moats LA TECH (*Sleeper*)

12.  Anthony Davis WIS (Amazing Speed)

13.  Darren Sproles (Little Darren, 5'7, 185)

14.  Cedric Houston TEN

15.  Marion Barber MIN

16.  Maurice Clarett OHIO ST

 

Thats a pretty good list, but Ronnie Brown will get picked up before Fason and possibly Cadillac unless something drastic happens at the combines.. Brown can not only run, but he can catch and block.. He is the most well rounded back in the draft at the RB posistion this year and if Cedric wasnt such a bruiser he could even go before him, but I doubt that..

 

Also, how dare you leave DeAngelo Williams off the list..

 

And Frank Gore may not be taken until the 3rd-4th round.. yes he has amazing potential, but I dont see too many teams taking a high pick on a guy who has had major surgery on both knees.. He would be a very ricky pick that high.. with that being said here is the official MAN OF STEEL LIST..

 

1. Cedric Benson TEXAS

2. Ronnie Brown AUB

3. Cadillac Williams AUB

4. Ciatrick Fason FL

5. DeAngelo Williams MEMPHIS

6. Vernand Morency OK ST

7. J.J. Arrington CAL

8. T.A. McLendon NC ST

9. Marion Barber MIN

10. Anthony Davis WIS

11. Frank Gore THE U BABY

12. Kay-Jay Harris WVU

13. Cedric Houston TEN

14. Ryan Moats LA TECH

15. Walter Reyes SYR

16. Darren Sproles K ST

 

Darren is my boy, but he is too small to be an every down NFL back IMO, he could be a very solid 3rd down back and kick returner tho..

[ChWRoCk2]

Alright everyones making a list, heres mine:

 

1. Cedric Benson Texas

2. Frank Gore Miami

3. Carnell Williams Auburn

4. Ronnie Brown Auburn

5. JJ Arrington Cal

6. vernand Morency Ok St

7. Ciatrick Fason Fla (sorry im not sold on him)

8. DeAngelo Williams memphis (im suprised he wasnt on the list)

9. Kay Jay Harris WVU

10. Maurice Clarett Oh St

 

Is Broussard of LSU entering the draft because hes pretty damn good?

[AddisonStSox]

Yeah MoS, Williams will be on my list by the time combines are over.

 

He reminds me a lot of Brian Westbrook. He won't be a star, but he'll can be a very serviceable back in the NFL. I think he'll be a solid 3rd down back.

 

Something to keep in mind, this list isn't about who I think we'll get drafted and in what order, its who I think rates amongst the best in the class. I'll have two or more of these lists by draft day.

[Palehosefan]

Here is my list, its different than most peoples or gurus.

 

 

1. Cadillac Williams, Auburn (just love him, think he will be special)

2. Ronnie Brown, Auburn (best RB athlete in draft)

3. Cedric Benson Texas (lower than most people, still not completely sold on him)

4. Ciatrick Fason, Florida *(very good athlete, could impress at combines)

5. Eric Shelton, Louisville * (huge back with great speed for his size, heck of a power back)

6. Vernand Morency, Oklahoma St. * (older than most, but is a very nice athlete)

7. DeAngelo Williams, Memphis * (not sold on him either)

8. Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech * (unheralded, but has great work ethic, thats why I like him alot)

9. J.J. Arrington, California (even at Cal, he's unheralded, very fast and could move up at the combines)

10. Frank Gore, Miami (FL) * (if he runs a 4.5 40 at combines, he will move up alot)

11. Cedric Houston, Tennessee (unheralded Tenn back, can't count out Tenn RB's)

12. T.A. McLendon, North Carolina St. * (WAY too many injuries for my liking, has amazing balance for a big back though, can he ever stay healthy?)

13. Maurice Clarett, Ohio St. * (who knows what will show up at the combine, could be a 230 pound 4.65 back, or could amaze everyone and show up running a 4.5 40.)

14. Lionell Gates, Louisville ( very good speed for a big back, could move up at comibes also)

15. Anthony Davis, Wisconsin (will he ever be able to block ANYONE? Speed coaches will love him, QB's will hate him)

[WHarris1]

My list...

 

1) Cedric Benson

2) Ronnie Brown

3) Cadillac Williams

4) DeAngelo Williams

5) Ciatrick Fason

6) Frank Gore

7) Eric Shelton

8) Vernand Morency

9) T.A. McLendon

10) Kay-Jay Harris

11) JJ Arington

12) Ryan Moats

13) Anthony Davis

14) Walter Reyes

15) Cedric Houston

[Rex Hudler]

I'm not much of an NFL guy, nor a draft guru so I won't embarass myself with aan attempt at rankings. But I will add that as much as I like Carnall Williams, I have a hunch that Ronnie Brown will be a better NFL back.

 

Time will tell I guess, because both have good speed and power. Williams is more elusive, but Brown catches better. Maybe its a tossup, but its a hunch I have.

[Confederate_48]

I'm not much of an NFL guy, nor a draft guru so I won't embarass myself with aan attempt at rankings.  But I will add that as much as I like Carnall Williams, I have a hunch that Ronnie Brown will be a better NFL back. 

 

Time will tell I guess, because both have good speed and power.  Williams is more elusive, but Brown catches better.  Maybe its a tossup, but its a hunch I have.

 

Ive heard that alot of the experts think that Brown will be the better NFL back as well

[chisox05]

Ronnie Brown is the 2nd best RB in the draft next to Benson.

 

Cadillac is the most overrated player since Eli.

 

May be some suprise picks by teams at the RB position.

[Palehosefan]

I would love to hear how Carnell is overrated. The guy rushed for 3831 yards and 45 td's in 42 games and averaged 5.2 yards a carry for his career while splitting time with Ronnie Brown. I can almost guarantee that Carnell will have a better 40 time and better quickness at the combines. But we will see. This is coming from someone that played against Benson in high school.

[AddisonStSox]

I would love to hear how Carnell is overrated. The guy rushed for 3831 yards and 45 td's in 42 games and averaged 5.2 yards a carry for his career while splitting time with Ronnie Brown. I can almost guarantee that Carnell will have a better 40 time and better quickness at the combines. But we will see. This is coming from someone that played against Benson in high school.

 

But, wait...according to him, Eli was overrated. :headshake

 

You're not the #1 selction of the draft and the head of the quarterback class without good cause.

 

Carnell will be a prime back in the NFL. Eli will be a prime quarterback for years to come; neither one of these guys are busts.

 

That statment was just downright goofy.

[T R U]

The reason Benson and Brown are better NFL prospects is because they have size

 

Benson is a bruiser, he pounds the inside and gets tackled going forward

 

Brown is a do it all.. he can catch, run, block.. he also has size..

 

Williams is a speed back, he is small in size, but hey.. some other great backs are also small in size.. thats the knock on him..

 

the RB rankings should be 1. Benson 2. Brown 3. Williams

 

Williams is good, but NFL scouts think that he is small, thats why they would take a look at Benson and Brown before a guy like Williams if those two are still on the board..

 

Unless something crazy happens (Cincy taking Chris Perry over Kevin Jones AND Steven Jackson :headshake ) Benson, Brown, Williams will be the first 3 RB's taken in the NFL draft

 

So look long and hard at Miami at the two spot, Saban has already said that Miami is in desperate need at the RB spot and is the main spot they need to address for next season..

 

they will most likely draft or trade down and draft one of those 3 RB's.. Saban had an interview with Caddy the other day and the feed back from it was good..

[WHarris1]

Caddy is having a great week of practice this week at the Senior Bowl.

[Confederate_48]

I thought Miami was going to sign a FA running back or trade for one like Travis Henry

[Palehosefan]

Carnell measured in at 5-11 212 pounds, which is adequate for a back in the NFL. He's also being called the best offensive player at the senior bowl. Scouts are loving his intelligence, strength, and toughness. He also did very well today in pass blocking drills. I think he's gonna be something special.

[AddisonStSox]

I thought Miami was going to sign a FA running back or trade for one like Travis Henry

 

Somebody's gonna have to.

 

The scouts are saying there are more quality backs than there are spots.

 

With such a strong RB class in 05 and 3 or 4 qualitiy free agents, its really going to get interested. I think every team that has a need at RB is going to get a quality back.

 

I have two sleepers to watch: Gore and Moats.

[T R U]

I thought Miami was going to sign a FA running back or trade for one like Travis Henry

 

Well I doubt trading for Travis Henry is going to be something Miami will do.. Saban does not want to move draft picks

 

also, Saban also said that he wants to get young players in, so I think maybe taking a young back in the draft is what they would do..

 

I THOUGHT that they woulda signed one of the FA's... but so far its lookin like Saban doesnt wanna pay an older back a ton of money..

 

but I dont know, im just reporting what I am hearing out of the Dolphins camp