Three RBs Among Elite In NFL Draft
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
April 17, 2005
It's the year of the running back in the NFL Draft. Three potential franchise backs could go in the top 10, which would be the first time that has happened since 1989 when Barry Sanders, Tim Worley and Sammie Smith were drafted third, seventh and ninth respectively.
So who's the best back in the 2005 draft? Depends on who you ask--and on which day.
Auburn's Ronnie Brown appears to have vaulted to the top of the class with a eyebrow-raising performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Not bad for a back who was a part-time starter in college, backing up Carnell Williams. More on Williams later.
Brown, 6-1 and 230 pounds, has drawn comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson, with his combination of size, power and speed. The fact that he has been mostly a backup is attractive as well, as he doesn't have a lot of mileage on him.
"I think I'm among the best running backs in the draft," Brown said. "I'm definitely among their skill level. I was able to show a little bit more skill last year because of the simple fact of the type of offense I was in and having a partner like Carnell Williams."
Last season, it was Williams who led Auburn in the ground game and an undefeated season. Nicknamed "Cadillac," he rushed for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns, but has had to fight with Brown for publicity during this year's draft process.
In recent interviews, Williams has made it known he has big dreams.
"There's no doubt I think about my future football team," he said. "Sometimes when I lay down at night, I kind of pinch myself. I don't picture myself in future uniforms or anything, but I think about what an honor it will be to play in the NFL. So I've been having these wild dreams about breaking records and winning Super Bowls. Pretty soon, I'll be running on an NFL field trying to make those dreams happen."
All in all, Brown and Williams continue Auburn's solid pedigree in producing top NFL backs. It's a group that includes Bo Jackson, James Brooks and Joe Cribbs.
There's another running back in Texas who hopes to excel against Brown and Williams. Cedric Benson accounted for 6,161 yards from scrimmage in his Texas career. He rushed for 1,000-plus yards in all four of his collegiate seasons and is one of three players in NCAA history to rush for more than 5,000 yards and score more than 400 points. He recently won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's most outstanding running back.
Some have compared Benson to Ricky Williams, another former Texas running back. Benson, who is 6-0 and 225 pounds, even once wore dreadlocks like Williams.
"Life's changing," he said at the NFL Scouting Combine last February, responding to a question about the Williams comparison. "Some may see Williams in me, but for me it's a fresh start."
Draft experts are split on which running back will be drafted after Brown, Benson and Williams. There are a number of quality backs who could be available in the second and third rounds.
Vernand Morency is a 5-10, 215-pound running back from Oklahoma State who rushed for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. After four seasons toiling in the minor leagues for the Colorado Rockies, Morency appears to have settled on football as his sport of choice. Some have compared his style to Packers tailback Ahman Green.
Some other running back prospects to watch in the NFL Draft:
Ciatrick Fason, 6-1 and 215 pounds, Florida
Eric Shelton, 6-1 and 248 pounds, Louisville
Anthony Davis, 5-7 and 195 pounds, Wisconsin
Marion Barber, 5-11 and 210 pounds, Minnesota
Ryan Moats, 5-8 and 201 pounds, Louisiana Tech
J.J. Arrington, 5-8 and 206 pounds, California
Frank Gore, 5-10 and 220 pounds, Miami
Darren Sproles, 5-5 and 185 pounds, Kansas State
Maurice Clarett, 5-11 and 230 pounds, Ohio State
Kay-Jay Harris, 5-11 and 232 pounds, West Virginia
http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=4179
Don't think we're too interested in many of these.