NFL Draft Prospect Comparisons: Running Backs

The reason that teams are concerned or excited about a prospect is because there has usually been some ground work and evidence to suggest one of those outcomes. That evidence is looking at former and current players’ successes and failures and comparing them to this year’s crop of franchise changers or busts.

So, by taking a look at which of this year’s top running backs remind of current NFL players, we can possibly get a good indication and projection of their potential of NFL success.

CJ Spiller, Clemson – Brian Westbrook

Most have compared Spiller to Reggie Bush, but I’d rather look at a guy who is more of a success and has more of a complete game.

Westbrook has had a successful career thanks to his versatility out of the backfield in that he can make plays on the outside, is willing to go up the middle, and can be a receiver out of the backfield.

Spiller has size concerns such as Westbrook. Westbrook has had an oft-injured career and if the numerous small albeit prevalent injuries are any indication, Spiller might have a similar, limited career.

Ryan Matthews, Fresno State – Marshawn Lynch

Though Lynch has had problems off the field and with injuries, Lynch has been a powerful small-ish back in the NFL thus far.

Both players get to their top speed quickly and can plant and generate a push effectively in their cuts, which usually is customary of a zone blocking system running back.

Matthews’s explosion, strength, and deep speed make him an intriguing 1^st rounder, but like I felt about Lynch, I’m not sure if either are consistent Pro Bowlers or 1^st round talents.

Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech – Marion Barber

I’ve heard reports about Dwyer being an NFL fullback, but I’m not ready to buy it because of his forty time, short shuttle time, or lack of blocking and speed runs in college.

First off, Dwyer’s numbers at the combine are very comparable to last year’s 1^st rounder Chris Wells, and teams didn’t have a ton of reservations about him.

Dwyer can’t do the little things as of now because he hasn’t had the practice, and will likely need a speed, versatile complementary back along with him, just like Marion Barber.

But both players get by on intense running, power punches, and surprising elusiveness in the whole, and both should be starters in the pros.

Jahvid Best, California – Willis McGahee

This comparison is on of the better ones on this list because both players have similar running styles as well as similar issues coming into the draft.

Best and McGahee have a rare combination of speed, elusiveness, and power that could fit for any system and Best may be the only complete back in this draft in the sense that he can do it all and doesn’t NEED (but won’t mind) a complementary back.

However, while McGahee’s knee injury was much more dramatic and impactful, the concerns about Best’s concussions may have a similar scaring affect for NFL teams as they look for a stable running back force in the draft.

Toby Gerhart, Stanford – LenDale White

Some scouts and evaluators really like what Gerhart has to offer, but I don’t see a complete back or even a starter when I see Gerhart.

Like LenDale White, I think he’ll get picked higher because he was so powerful, so productive, and was a staple for his team, but also like LenDale, he’ll likely be subjected to the second spot on a depth chart in favor of a speedier guy.

Both don’t accelerate through the hole extremely well and will likely need that faster complement to succeed as he wears team’s down. Both guys have spot starting potential, but neither are long term answers and won’t be the next coming of Jerome Bettis.

Ben Tate, Auburn – Brandon Jackson

An underrated athlete, Ben Tate has starting potential and was under-appreciated most of his career as an NFL prospect by most, including myself until I reviewed the film on him.

Both he and Brandon Jackson have surprising speed and a decent punch, but really have success thanks to their hustle and balance as runners.

Tate, like Jackson, may never develop into a consistent starter for an NFL franchise. But he can be a great spell back and a spot/fringe starter in the right systems, preferably a zone blocking scheme.

Montario Hardesty, Tennessee – Pierre Thomas

Pierre Thomas was overlooked on his own college team as well as in the pros before finally seizing the opportunity. Hardesty almost had a similar situation in college, only getting his crack to start in his senior campaign.

Hardesty played well in his final season as a Volunteer, but the real appeal in my mind is what he could become as he gets in rhythm, as he improved over the course of his 1^st season as has potential starting material.

Both players are surprisingly powerful and though their not power runners, both understand how to get their defender off balance before they break their tackles. Hardesty may take a little while to get acclimated to the pro game, but he could develop into a very nice platoon starter in the right system and with a good offensive line.

Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State – LeRon McClain

Both viewed as full back prospects coming out of college by most, Dixon could be a surprise starter at running back early in his career similar to LeRon McClain of the Ravens.

Dixon is a bigger bodied guy and really isn’t a game-breaker in the sense of scoring on big plays. But he has enough speed to score in the open field and though he may be better suited for either wearing the defense down, in goal line situations or blocking, he can contribute as a running back in some aspect in the pro level.