Even though the NFL is becoming a passing league, every team needs a solid running game to set up the pass.
Let’s take a look around the league and see what teams are in need of a new starting RB, and who is looking for a guy to spell their workhorse.
Feature Backs (Rounds 1-2)
Green Bay Packers: Ryan Grant is talented, but can’t stay healthy and can’t be relied on to carry the load for Green Bay in 2011. James Starks’ playoff run is a nice story, but it’s unlikely that he can reproduce that success for a whole season. The Packers will have their fingers crossed that they can get a guy like Mark Ingram at the end of the first round.
Miami Dolphins: Ricky Williams has made it clear he has no intention of returning to Miami, and Ronnie Brown may not return either. Even if he does, he is not the same RB that he used to be, and the Dolphins desperately need a RB that can come in and be a feature back immediately.
New England Patriots: The Pats got superb production out of two undrafted RBs, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead in 2010. However, the lack of a true force at RB hurt New England late in the season and in the playoffs, making Mark Ingram a likely target of Belichick and the Patriots.
New Orleans Saints: While the Saints may not make running the ball a high priority, they still need a guy to carry the load at RB, and they simply did not have that in 2010. The RB spot is a huge hole in an otherwise solid offensive line up, and it will need to be addressed early in New Orleans’ draft.
Rotational Backs (Rounds 3-5)
Arizona Cardinals: Arizona may want to give Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower another shot, but they will need to get a solid RB to keep the pressure off whoever is their QB in 2011.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns have two bruising RBs in Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. None of the RBs on the roster offer much speed out of the backfield, and that’s something the Browns will look to address in the middle rounds of the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Benson is a free agent and is nearing the dreaded 30 year old mark. With a new OC who plans to run the ball more, and the possibility of having a new QB as well, the Bengals will need to at least draft a rotational RB, and may even try to get a guy they feel can be a starter long term.
Denver Broncos: Knowshon Moreno hasn’t been bad, but he hasn’t proven he can be a full time starter, either. Correll Buckhalter showed nothing in 2010 and the Broncos will need to find a RB that Moreno can split carries with.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have taken RBs high twice in recent drafts and while Donald Brown hasn’t been a total disappointment, Joseph Addai has. The Colts need to look to add a RB to split carries with Brown.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles thought they were getting a powerful runner that could be a change of pace back to LeSean McCoy when they acquired Mike Bell. They were wrong. Philly will try again to find a powerful runner in 2011.
St. Louis Rams: St. Louis doesn’t have much depth to speak of behind stand out Steven Jackson. Kenneth Darby was ok in 2010, but the Rams need a more consistent RB to help spell Jackson, and hopefully extend his career.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LeGarrette Blount exploded onto the scene in 2010 and will carry the load in 2011. Cadillac Williams is a FA but is likely to stay a Buc, and will contribute on most passing downs. Tampa Bay could look to a player like Derrick Locke to bring a style that neither Blount nor Williams have.
Special Teams/Situational Backs (Rounds 5-7)
San Diego Chargers: The Bolts have Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert to do the heavy lifting, but speedy back Darren Sproles is a free agent. San Diego may look to the draft to get a younger RB that can contribute on special teams like Sproles has done in the past.
Tennessee Titans: Tennessee is set with Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer, but they have no depth behind them. Drafting a third RB as insurance would be wise.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins have capable RBs in Ryan Torain, Clinton Portis, and Keiland Williams, but with Portis’ play on the decline the Redskins may look for another young RB to add to their stable.
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