NFL Draft Preview: Running Backs
By Jason Powell, Associate Editor
April 12, 2005 5:00 PM ET
Cedric Benson's stock has fallen, but he's still a top-10 candidate.
Three running backs will likely be selected in first 10 picks of the draft on April 23. As usual, fantasy owners should pay close attention to the running backs on draft day. History shows that rookie rushers generally make bigger fantasy impacts in season one than most quarterbacks and wide receivers. With that in mind, here's our rundown of the best backs in the 2005 draft class.
Ronnie Brown, Auburn
Height: 6-0
Weight: 233
Likely Draft Position: Early First Round
Possible Destinations: Dolphins, Bears, Buccaneers
NFL Comparison: LaDainian Tomlinson
Brown's stock soared following his tremendous workout at the scouting combine, where he ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. He even managed to improve that time to a 4.4 during his pro day workout. If the 49ers weren't committed to Kevan Barlow, there's a good chance that Ronnie would be a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick. Instead, he'll have to settle for being the second player selected, as it appears the Dolphins have him pegged for the No. 2 overall pick. One of the intangibles that separates Brown from the other backs is his ability to catch the ball coming out of the backfield, which is where the Tomlinson comparisons come into play. However, Ronnie doesn't possess that stop-and-go quickness that L.T. has shown throughout his career.
Brown split carries with fellow top-three rookie back Carnell Williams at Auburn. Yet despite starting just 21-of-47 games for the Tigers, Brown tallied 513 carries for 2,707 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, and added 58 receptions for 668 yards. Ronnie's most encouraging attribute might be his pass-blocking ability. Many rookie rushers look good with the ball in their hands, yet lose the trust of the coaching staff due to their inability to block in passing situations (see Mewelde Moore of the Vikings). That shouldn't be a problem with Brown, who is clearly the best pass-blocker of the Big Three rookie backs.
Carnell Williams, Auburn
Height: 5-11
Weight: 217
Likely Draft Position: Early First Round
Possible Destinations: Bears, Buccaneers, Cardinals
NFL Comparison: Travis Henry
The running back better known as "Cadillac" joined his teammate Brown in soaring past Cedric Benson on draft boards thanks to a combination of impressive play during the Senior Bowl and a good scouting combine workout. Buccaneers' head coach Jon Gruden coached Williams during the Senior Bowl festivities and walked away drooling over his potential. Gruden had been among the coaches who questioned whether Cadillac could catch the ball coming out of the backfield, but he now maintains that Williams showed good hands throughout the week. In fact, Gruden is so smitten with Cadillac that we don't expect the Senior Bowl to be the end of their coach-player relationship, as our latest mock draft projects the Bucs selecting Williams with the No. 5 overall pick.
If there's on misconception about Williams it's his strength. Although some draft followers compare him to Priest Holmes in the sense of sheer power, Carnell has small legs and lacks the ability to move the pile for extra yardage. He's not a bad pass-blocker, but he does struggle to pick up blitzing linebackers due to his lack of size and strength. Cadillac ran a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, and then followed up with a 4.46 at his pro day workout. He was healthy for the last season at Auburn, but he missed time earlier in his career with a fractured left fibula, a broken clavicle, and a sprained ankle. Despite his flashy nickname, Williams did not have character issues in college. Rather than griping about how the carries were distributed, Williams and Ronnie Brown made the best of the situation and became good friends.
Cedric Benson
Height: 5-10
Weight: 222
Likely Draft Position: Early First Round
Possible Destinations: Bears, Buccaneers, Cardinals
NFL Comparison: Stephen Davis
Prior to the scouting combine, Benson carried the consensus title of best back available. It was he, not Brown, who was projected as the No. 1 overall running back and the likely replacement for his idol Ricky Williams in Miami. However, some combination of Brown's workout, the Dolphins' paranoia over similarities between him and Williams along with concerns that he was overworked in college caused Cedric to drop to No. 3 back on most draft boards. Ced even went so far as to take a scissors to his dreadlocks to deflect the comparisons to Sir Smoke-a-lot. Yet while the former Lonhorn was able to change his appearance, he wasn't able to tweak his criminal record, which includes a 2002 drug and alcohol charge (charges were later dropped), and a 2003 criminal trespassing charge (he pleaded no contest and spent eight days in jail).
Despite his sketchy history, Benson is still considered a lock to be selected in the top-10. The most likely destination appears to be Arizona, as head coach Dennis Green likes taking on character projects and has a major need at running back. Benson declined to workout at the scouting combine, which didn't help his cause. He ran a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day workout, making him the slowest of the top-three backs. Cedric is a solid receiver and a good pass-blocker, and has the edge over Cadillac in both categories. He took 1,112 carries and gained 5,540 yards and 64 touchdowns for the Longhorns, which ranks second behind Ricky Williams in school history.
J.J. Arrington, California
Height: 5-8
Weight: 214
Likely Draft Position: Mid-to-Late Second Round
Possible Destinations: Cardinals, Panthers, Jaguars
NFL Comparison: Warrick Dunn
Arrington is the only back in the 2005 draft class who topped the 2,000-yard rushing mark last year. He's a small and elusive runner who posted an impressive 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, and then bettered his time to 4.39 at his pro day workout. Don't be fooled by his small stature, Arrington's weight room performance at the combine was on par with most of the bigger backs. He's not afraid to step up in pass-blocking, but bigger defensive players have been known to swat him aside or simply run over him. He's better off running to the outside where he can use his speed to elude potential tacklers than he is in between the tackles.
In 25 games with the Golden Bears, Arrington had 396 carries for 2,625 yards in his college career. However, he gained 2,018 yards in 2004, which means he was limited to just 607 yards in 2003. He's essentially a one-year performer, which has led some scouts to question whether J.J. has enough experience to make a seamless transition to the pro game. At the very least, he should contribute as a special teams return man and perhaps as a third-down back this season. Fantasy owners should be somewhat leery of Arrington, as his small size suggests that he will give way to bigger backs in goal line situations.
Ciatrick Fason, Florida
Height: 6-1
Weight: 207
Likely Draft Position: Mid-to-Late Second Round
Possible Destinations: Panthers, Jaguars, Colts
NFL Comparison: Kevan Barlow
Durability is not an issue with Fason, who played in every game during his three-year career with the Gators. He also showed great loyalty to the Florida area by verbally committing to the school in 2001 and then passing down a chance to visit other campuses. That factoid might offer some explanation as to why the Jaguars have showed interest in Ciatrick. Then again, we can't imagine that team officials were pleased when Fason spilled the beans about the Jags' interest in him and other running backs to a Florida newspaper last month. Another red flag is that he grew frustrated with his playing time during his sophomore season and the coaching staff had to talk him into sticking around. If he hasn't overcome that lack of patience, it could be a problem, particularly if he is selected by a team such as the Jags, which already has a starter in Fred Taylor and a second-round pick in Greg Jones waiting in the wings.
Fason is a between the tackles type runner who lacks elite speed to run outside. He ran a slow 4.65 time in the 40-yard dash at his pro day workout, which certainly didn't turn any heads. Despite his size and power, Ciatrick struggles against the blitz as a pass-blocker. He opted to leave Florida following his junior season to enter the draft. This wasn't a big surprise to the coaching staff, who assumed that Fason, a husband and father of two children, would choose the financial security of the NFL over another year of school. Although he has some deficiencies, catching the ball is not one of them, as Fason hauled in 35 receptions for 266 yards and two scores last year.
Other running backs of note: Marion Barber (Minnesota), Vernand Morency (Oklahoma State), Eric Shelton (Louisville), T.A. McLendon (North Carolina State), Walter Reyes (Syracuse), Maurice Clarett (Ohio State).
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