11 Running Back Draft Options
The NFL Draft is more than a month away and it's time to start meeting the prospects. Today, we look at 11 of the best options at running back that will be available in April.
Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State - Rushed for 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns with a 5.2 yards-per-carry average in 2012. He can catch and block as well as any RB in the draft.
Eddie Lacy, Alabama - Carried the ball 204 times for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns during a year that skyrocketed him up the draft boards. Lacy has it all — power, quickness, agility and speed.
Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina - Suffered a horrible knee injury last year and may not be ready for 2013. Still, could make some team happy if he can pull of a Willis McGahee-type comeback.
Mike Gillislee, Florida - Gillislee had a fantastic senior campaign for the Gators, scoring 10 touchdowns with a 4.7 yards-per-carry average. He's speedy with a good amount of power.
Stepfan Taylor, Stanford - Under the radar a bit, Taylor could be a steal. He was a huge part of the Cardinal's offense, scoring 13 touchdowns with 1,530 yards. He can run, catch and block as a three-down back.
Jonathan Franklin, UCLA - Quick and shifty at 5-foot-10, 205 pounds, but can pack a punch in the power game. He had a strong showing in the Senior Bowl after a season that saw him rush for 1,734 yards.
Giovani Bernard, North Carolina - Bernard scored a touchdown in every game he played in 2012, earning five scores through the air and 10 on the ground. He can also return punts and averaged 16 yards per return for the Heels with two touchdowns.
Andre Ellington, Clemson - A smaller speed back, Ellington fits more in the same mold as Jacquizz Rodgers, but he can pick up yards after contact, which he proved in 2012.
Jawan Jamison, Rutgers - A mix of speed and power, Jamison compares favorably to former Rutgers running back Ray Rice. His stats weren't eye-popping (1,075 yards and four touchdowns), but there's plenty of room to grow with his ceiling.
Montee Ball, Wisconsin - With 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2012, Ball established himself as one of the top backs in the country. He had some fumble problems last year, but performed at a high enough level to be a Heisman finalist.
Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State - Bell can carry the load, as is evidenced by carrying the ball an average of 29 times for the Spartans in 2012. At 6-2, 238 pounds, he's one of the biggest backs in the draft.
