One man's ranking of the top five RB's in the NFL draft

[woodbuck27]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/10058205

Vic's picks: Top 5 running backs in draft

By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com

(March 13, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five running backs in the NFL draft:

1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma (Underclassman)

Positives: Size (6-foot-1-plus, 217 pounds) and strength ... Aggressive, physical running style ... Although he is mostly an upright runner, he does a nice job of lowering his shoulders to get good lean when powering his way between the tackles ... Will run over smaller defensive ends and outside linebackers who attempt to bring him down on outside runs ... Despite limited involvement in the passing game, he shows good receiving skills and has the explosiveness to generate substantial gains after the catch.

Negatives: Inability to stay healthy throughout his college career, which is mostly the result of taking too many hits because of his upright running style ... Ball security ... Doesn't have tremendous burst to the outside ... Needs to work on pass-protection.

2. Marshawn Lynch, California (Underclassman)


Marshawn Lynch had 3,830 all-purpose yards and 35 TDs in three years at California.
Positives: Quick, agile and explosive to the outside ... Strong, physical running style ... Able to withstand punishment and fight through would-be tacklers for extra yards ... Durable and tough, as evidenced by the fact he battled to overcome an ankle injury and was still effective during the 2006 season.

Negatives: Needs to work on running pass routes and catching the ball ... Has plenty of room for improvement in pass protection, especially when it comes to aggressiveness.

3. Kenny Irons, Auburn

Positives: Outstanding athlete with tremendous acceleration and elusiveness ... Excellent vision and instincts. ...Consistently hard runner ... Receiving skills and ability to make big gains after the catch ... Blitz recognition and pass-blocking.

Negatives: Durability; couldn't stay healthy enough to start for a full season, including his senior year when he was bothered by ankle and leg injuries ... Must add bulk to his smallish, 5-10-plus, 203-pound frame ... Needs to run with more body lean to improve his ability to withstand contact.

4. Antonio Pittman, Ohio State (Underclassman)

Positives: Outstanding athleticism ... Runs effectively between the tackles but also shows good outside burst ... Makes sharp, well-timed cuts ... Patient runner who will wait for blocks to set up ... Good receiving skills and explosive enough to make strong gains after the catch ... Displays greater strength and toughness than one might expect from a back with a 5-10-plus, 207-pound frame.

Negatives: Needs to add bulk and strength ... Pass-protection ... Route-running.


5. Michael Bush, Louisville

Positives: Size (6-1-plus, 243 pounds) and strength ... Follows blockers well. …Surprising quickness and agility for his size ... Pass-protection.

Negatives: Durability; still rehabilitating a broken leg suffered during Louisville's '06 season-opener ... Upright running style exposes him to too much contact ... Too much hesitation when he doesn't find an immediate opening ... Limited big-play ability.

[woodbuck27]

Does anyone see an answer for OUR needs at RB among these five, given that A. Peterson will be drafted early?

I'm thinking that TT will draft on 'D' at 16 or trade down.

[PackerPro42]

Does anyone see an answer for OUR needs at RB among these five, given that A. Peterson will be drafted early?

I'm thinking that TT will draft on 'D' at 16 or trade down.

Depending on what happens with Moss, I expect him to take Lynch with the 16th pick (supposing he's there) and then a saftey or corner in the second.

[BallHawk]

If we got Kenny Irons in the 2nd round I would be a happy man.

[LL2]

If we got Kenny Irons in the 2nd round I would be a happy man.

I wouldn’t mind that either, but where it says he can’t stay healthy scares me. Bush sounds like he would be a good pick up in the second also, but isn’t an upright running style not suited for ZBS?

[retailguy]

If we got Kenny Irons in the 2nd round I would be a happy man.

Quite honestly, that's probably more likely than Lynch in the 1st, but no reasonable way to predict it...

[BallHawk]

If we got Kenny Irons in the 2nd round I would be a happy man.

I wouldn’t mind that either, but where it says he can’t stay healthy scares me. Bush sounds like he would be a good pick up in the second also, but isn’t an upright running style not suited for ZBS?

Bush is probably too big of a back to work in the ZBS. Perhaps TT may be a little bit turned off Marshawn Lynch by his upright running style. I remember reading a few articles saying that Lynch's upright running style may hurt him in the draft.

I really don't know why everyone is scared of Irons because of his health. He played every single game in the 2005 season and only missed two games in the 2006 season. He was banged up for a lot of those games, sure, but he still averaged 4.8 Yards Per Carry. Auburn has a history of success with RB, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, Bo Jackson to name a few. This may sound crazy, but Kenny Irons may very well be known, down the road, as the best RB to come out of this draft.

[woodbuck27]

Have the Packers ever had brothers playing on the team in any season?

See RB Kenny Irons and CB David Irons (brothers) fr. Auburn.

Both of these players could be third round picks.

[BallHawk]

Unless Kenny Irons stock drops a lot, I don't think he'll be there in the 3rd. I'm not even sure if he'll be there at #46.

It's possible we could draft his brother in the 3rd, though.

[woodbuck27]

Unless Kenny Irons stock drops a lot, I don't think he'll be there in the 3rd. I'm not even sure if he'll be there at #46.

It's possible we could draft his brother in the 3rd, though.

OK

Your wish is for RB Kenny Irons at pick number 47.

[BallHawk]

I think he would be a bargain in the 2nd round. Would I die and say TT was a moron if he passed on Irons? Of course not. It's a stupid thing to become so emotionally attached to a player that if he doesn't go to your team it ruins your whole draft. There are other players, besides Irons, that we could get in round 2 that could really help our team. However, if I could choose one, it'd be Irons.

[bigcoz75]

Bush is probably too big of a back to work in the ZBS. Perhaps TT may be a little bit turned off Marshawn Lynch by his upright running style. I remember reading a few articles saying that Lynch's upright running style may hurt him in the draft.

I'd look for Bush to be gone at 44 joining his old coach Petrino in Atlanta.

To me Irons is too similar to Morency to be an effective one/two.

I like Tony Hunt nothing flashy just a strong runner who will get you the tough yards.

[K-town]

Auburn has a history of success with RB, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, Bo Jackson to name a few. This may sound crazy, but Kenny Irons may very well be known, down the road, as the best RB to come out of this draft.

Not to pee on your parade, but don't forget Brent Fullwood and James Bostic also came out of Auburn.
But in general, I agree with you. Auburn has a great tradition of NFL-caliber running backs.

[Merlin]

If AP isn't there, you don't pick one of the other ones. The draft class is weak at RB with the acception of AP.

[falco]

If AP isn't there, you don't pick one of the other ones. The draft class is weak at RB with the acception of AP.

thats okay, we'll just have to sign a RB in the opening days of free agency then...