Of the three major holes left to fill, Running Back is the most intriguing on draft day. In the aftermath of the Willis McGahee deal, the Bills could go one of three directions. Stay put with Anthony Thomas and groom a later round selection, use the 12th pick overall and get Adrian Peterson (if available) or Cal’s Lynch, or make a deal with San Diego for backup Michael Turner. Unlike the weak LB crop in this draft, the Bills could wait for a suitable starter in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.
RUNNING BACK:
Adrian Peterson-Oklahoma 6’2, 220lbs, 4.55-40
Strengths

-Aggressive Runner
-Strong
-Good Edge Runner
-Dominant Between the Tackles
-Big Play Back
-Never Stops Fighting
-Legs Always moving
Weaknesses
-Elite Speed
-Ball Protection
-Blocking
-Durability
-Runs Upright
-Technique
Bottom Line
Peterson is the disputed #1 back in the Draft. Some will say that Lynch is the better back, but AD is one of the most dominant backs in college when healthy. He will need to go to a team with a good and patient RB coach, because Peterson has a long way to come in the way he runs. He has some serious injury concerns and his propensity to fumble is a serious concern. Overall Adrian’s big play ability is incomparable when looking at other backs, which is what makes him the #1 in my book. Projection: Top 10
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Marshawn Lynch-California 5’10, 222lbs, 4.35-40
Strengths
-Extremely Strong
-Legs Always Moving
-Quick
-Durable
-Heart
Weaknesses
-Elite Speed
-Pad Level
-Route Running
-Blocking
-Aggressiveness
-Character
Bottom Line
Lynch took a serious hit to his character on January 29th when he was accused by his ex-girlfriend to have sexually assaulted her by slapping and choking her. No charges were brought up, but the story will affect him. On the field however Lynch displays a blend of power and speed that you wont find in many othe 5’10 backs. He has the heart and desire to gain the extra yards, and if he can learn to utilize his size to lower his pad level he could become a great back.
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Kenny Irons-Auburn 5’10, 198lbs, 4.59-40
Strengths
-Athlete
-Acceleration
-Vision
-Runs Hard
-Good Hands
-Good Blocker
Weaknesses
-Size
-Lazy
-Durability
-Speed
-Technique
Bottom Line
Kenny Irons is your tradition power back but does not have your traditional size. He has great vision to find the holes and see the opening up the field to make defenders miss. He also runs hard and lives to run over opponents. However Kenny Irons is not a workout guy, he is not a good weight room guy, and has some durability concerns. If he can add 10-15 pounds, and learn to use his size to his advantage he could be a good starting back,
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Michael Bush-Louisville 6’2, 250lbs, 4.65-40
Strengths
-Power
-Strength
-Feet
-Quick
-Hands
-Blocking
Weaknesses
-Durability
-Technique
-Speed
-Tentative
-Caught from Behind
-Must have a hole
Bottom Line
Bush is the prototypical power runner. He would rather run you over than run around you. He possesses good feet which allow for him to make quick cuts to catch an opponent off balance. He also is a good receiver out of the backfield and is not a liability when left in to pass block. He however does have some injury concerns and he will never be a game breaking RB. He does not have the speed to have a breakaway run. He also cannot create for himself and has to have a hole to run through to be effective. NOTE: His injury will cause him to go much lower than where he should rank, so I have chosen to maintain his ranking in fairness to his talent.
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Antonio Pittman-Ohio State 5’11, 195lbs, 4.45-40
Strengths
-Strength
-Good Burst
-Patient
-Agility
-Follows Blockers
Weaknesses
-Blocking
-Route Running
-Size
Bottom Line
Pittman is a good back who knows how to gain positive yardage, he wasn’t a back who played behind a star studded line at Ohio State. He is a tough runner who quickly hit’s the hole. Pittman has the speed to move the play to the outside and also continues to keep his legs moving. If he can add a little bulk to his frame he could be a good RB in the NFL.
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Brandon Jackson-Nebraska 5’9, 206lbs, 4.4-40
Strengths:
-Elusive
-Strong
-Tough
-Vision
Weaknesses:
-Consistency
-Inexperience
-Route Running
-Fumbles
-Blocking
Bottom Line:
Jackson is one of those hit or miss prospects, he has all the skill in the world but cant seem to put it together from drive to drive. He is extremely shifty and carries his 200+ lbs extremely well. Jackson does possess that next gear which allows for him to outrun defensive backs. Jackson will run right through arm tackles and can break big plays, but he again has to start to do it consistently.
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Chris Henry-Arizona 5’11, 230, 4.4-40
Strengths:
-Power
-Speed
-Break Tackle
-Hands
Weakness:
-Inexperience
-Aggressiveness
-Elusiveness
-Bounces Outside too early
Bottom Line:
Henry never carried the full load at Arizona but when he got the ball at the end of last season he began to rack up the stats. Henry left Arizona after his junior year and many questioned why that was, but at the combine he shocked everyone when he ran the fastest 40 of all the RB’s. Henry could be the steal of the draft if he gets his head on right.
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Tony Hunt-Penn State 6’1, 234lbs, 4.6-40
Strengths:
-Power
-Toughness
-Durable
-Bruising Downhill running style
Weaknesses:
-Speed
-Mobility
-Elusiveness
-Ball Protection
Bottom Line:
Hunt has the ideal size, strength, balance and power you would like out of a running back. However Hunt lacks any kind of speed, and has real fumbling issues. He had a great year last year on a bad Penn State offense. It does take Hunt a while to get going but when he does there aren’t many who can simply bring him down. He will absorb big hits and run through feeble attempts at arm tackling.
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Darius Walker-Notre Dame 5’10, 206lbs, 4.5-40
Strengths:
-Vision
-Shifty
-Burst
-Doesn’t Take Big Hits
Weaknesses:
-Dances
-Speed
-Fumbles
-Heart
Bottom Line:
Darius is an interesting back because he has the tools to be a starting NFL back but never put them together at Notre Dame after a good Freshman year. He has great vision and can see holes before they open and he can also make good catches out of the backfield. His vision however is more than just a blessing in the way that it causes him to dance around a lot behind the line and he will get tackled back there more often than not.
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Lorenzo Booker-Florida State 5’10, 189, 4.4-40
Strengths:
-Versatility
-Speed
-Explosion
-Receiving
Weaknesses:
-Size
-Goes Down Easily
-Blocking
-Durability
Bottom Line:
Booker will be a 3rd down back at the next level and is very similar to last years Jerious Norwood who had a breakout year with Atlanta as a big play guy. He could one day carry the full load (If Warrick Dunn can do it, why cant he?). Booker is also extremely dangerous as a returner and that makes him that much more valuable. Every time Booker touches the ball he can score a touchdown which makes him the most dangerous RB in this class.
Sleepers:
Eldra Buckley-UT Chattanooga 5'11, 198lbs, 40-4.45
Buckley is a former JC transfer who was a workhorse for the Mocs this past season gaining 1200 yards with 7 TD's and a 5.6 ypc. He has very deceptive speed, and has been touted as running in the 4.3's in the 40. Should he run that fast in the combine he will move up on the charts. Buckley needs to add some bulk to his frame in order to take the pounding he will receive in the NFL, but he is a diligent runner and has the drive to gain the extra yards
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Ramonce Taylor-Texas College 5'11, 195lbs, 40-4.45
Taylor was a former University of Texas RB who ran into some personal issues and failed to qualify. Spent 60 days in jail because of marijuana possession. He then went down to Texas College and was ruled acadmeically ineligible. He was never a starter in college but when he got in the game watch out! Starts and Stops in the blink of an eye. He finds the holes and hits it and is to full speed very quickly. Very strong for his stature. Averaged 8.3 ypc for his career of 104 attempts, 13 of which went for Touchdowns.
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Garrett Wolfe-Northern Illinois 5'7, 183lbs, 4.3-40
The pint size warrior from Northern Illinois is another Lorenzo Booker type who has amazing speed and can actually break a tackle or two. He followed up another good former Northern Illinois back in Micheal "The Burner" Turner. Wolfe is well undersized and will never be an every down back but could really make a tired defense pay or be a good return guy.
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Jackie Battle-Houston 6'2, 235, 4.4-40
Battle has great size and speed, and he shows it when running on the inside. He never really carried a full load at HB at Houston never eclipsing the 200 attempt mark, and thats because he is a HB/FB tweener (ala Justin Griffith). But once he reaches full speed he is a load to take down and his blocking is pretty solid. He could be a UDFA Brandon Jacobs type.
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D.D. Terry-Sam Houston State 6'0, 196lbs, 4.5-40
Terry attacks the hole with a fury and is not afraid to run full steam into anybody. It should also be mentioned that Terry great pride in making sure anybody who attempts to tackle him takes a big hit as he lowers his shoulder and gives the would be tackler a nice big boom. He is very raw and his elusiveness isnt what is ideal, but he could be a great short yardage back.

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