NFL Draft Prospect Comparisons: Running Backs

Finding comparisons in each position is both an entertaining way to get some final thoughts on these prospects as well as get a good indication of what they could actually be once they get to the NFL.

While these running back comparisons are not likely shared by everyone and it may not be an exact match, these are who the top 10 running backs (and one fullback) on our board remind me of.

Fullback: Stanley Havili, USC – Peyton Hillis
As the NFL goes more and more away from the old (only about 5-10 years ago) use of fullbacks, these position players will need to adapt or find themselves without a role for NFL teams. This past year, once thought of fullback Peyton Hills emerged as a powerful rusher for the Browns, and though I’m not sure if Havili will be able to be as dominate as Hillis, he did come from as similar background. Both players were capable of playing running back in college, but thanks to other elite talents (McFadden and Felix Jones for HIllis, a host of guys for Havili), neither really got to shine.

Jamie Harper, Clemson – Brian Leonard
Brian Leonard came into the NFL from Rutgers as a fullback, but that may unfortunately have been because the media instantly thought a white running back simply didn’t exist. Now that he’s gotten a shot to show that he can play running back, behind Steven Jackson, he has proven his value as a powerful runner who can plow up the middle as well as be a receiver out of the backfield. Harper may be viewed as a fullback to some because he plays around 230ish already, but he can do a lot more than just be a load to bring down.

Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington – Justin Fargas
Many are hoping on the Taiwan Jones bandwagon because he had such an explosive showing in his workouts, but I still wonder about his power up the middle, his pad level running style for a player of his stature, and if he can stay healthy. Justin Fargas, when he was in the NFL, was a speedy outside runner who had some shiftiness. Jones has a similar body type (only an inch or so shorter and a 15 pounds lighter, but could bulk up), but I don’t think he’ll be anything more than a #2 or even #3 running back in the NFL.

Shane Vereen, California – Chester Taylor
Finding a back-up running back that can not only add to a rotation in terms of taking up carries to keep other backs fresh, but also to add a versatile presence that can do many things. Chester Taylor has always found a niche and always will as long as he can stay healthy as a solid 10-15 carry a game guy if need be as well as a solid pass blocker and receiver out of the backfield. Vereen isn’t there as of now as a blocker, but he can eat up carries both inside and outside with some production and is a solid to above average pass catcher out of the backfield.

Demarco Murray, Oklahoma – Joe McKnight
This comparison is both a good and bad thing. Joe McKnight showed signs of potential brilliance in the “Hard Knocks” practice for the Jets as well as at times this year, and reports are that he could have a much bigger role for the team as a 2nd option and pass catcher. However, what both he and Murray worry me about is their occasional hesitation to explode into the hole and lack of great short area quickness. Both are sometimes long-striders, which is great for big plays, but not for handing a rushing load more than 10 carries.

Derrick Locke, Kentucky – Jerious Norwood
Locke is high on my board because of the fact that he can bring such a dynamic explosiveness to an NFL team that maybe no other runner in this draft can bring, and that quickness and gamebreaking speed is worth taking a risk on. He doesn’t have the size to be anything more than a 160-200 carry a season guy, but he could b a dangerous “thunder or lightening” combo for a team similar to how Jerious Norwood has been for the Falcons when he’s been able to stay healthy.

Jordan Todman, UConn – Tashard Choice
A zone blocking scheme will likely fit Todman best, but he has the quickness and toughness as a runner to fit in just about any system well enough to succeed. Choice may be a 1,000 yard rusher in a system like Washington or Houston, but instead has become a solid option in the three-back rotation in Dallas. Todman has too much short area shiftiness and explosiveness as a rusher for non-zone blocking scheme teams to pass on him, but like Choice, he could be very successful if that’s where he ends up.

Daniel Thomas, Kansas State – Shonn Greene
Thomas is an underrated athlete who has surprisingly quick feet. Part of his ability to deliver a blow to the defense when linebackers and safeties come up for a tackle is his ability to get in good position with a strong base and pad level, something that will translate well to the NFL. He doesn’t have the big play ability that teams want in a sure-fire number one running back, but he could surprise teams with a few big plays, especially if he’s able to barrel through the line. Like Greene, his main focus will be the ability to make plays outside the tackle box and stay healthy.

Mikel LeShoure, Illinois – Willis McGahee/Rashard Mendenhall
Outside of the knee injury, which severely put a hamper on how great McGahee could have been, he’s struggled to be able to consistently make the right read when fighting through running lanes. Mendenhall, another Illinois product, had similar question marks coming out of college, and similar to LeShoure he was a bit of a one year wonder, though LeShuore had two previous seasons with some meaningful production. LeShoure needs to show that he has the vision as a runner to be a 100 yard rusher in the NFL before he’ll be a Top 40 pick, but he has that level of potential if he can improve it.

Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech – Jahvid Best
Williams could be any mix of rushers in the NFL that are built well for a running back but have that explosive speed that could make them number one rushers if they can stay healthy and have another rotational back with. Jahvid Best showed his dynamic ability early in his career, but struggled with staying consistent and healthy throughout his rookie season, and I think Williams could have a very similar early portion of his career. Both Williams and Best should be pretty consistent 1,000 plus yard rushers if they can stay healthy and have depth behind them.

Mark Ingram, Alabama – Curtis Martin
While I’d rather compare each player to a current NFL player, the similarities between Martin and Ingram are too close to pass up. Both players don’t have the big play speed that will consistently excite teams and scream out superstar. However, both players are great blockers in pass protection, can catch the ball well out of the backfield, take care of the ball, and can consistently pick up 4 yards a carry over a game and over a season where they get 300 plus carries. Martin was consistent overlooked throughout much of his playing days with the Jets, and Ingram is getting overlooked now on draft day, though I still think he ends up as a first rounder when it’s all said and done.