2012 NFL Draft: Power Ranking Top 10 Game-Changing Running Backs

In the NFL, there are only a handful of running backs who can change a game with a few big plays. This year's draft class will add a few more.

With the shelf-life of a professional running back being so short, teams have started to shy away from paying large contract extension and replacing their players through the draft.

Watching Chris Johnson of the Titans have the worst season of his career after a large raise will cause even more teams to focus on younger, cheaper talent.

Lucky for those teams, there are plenty of college running backs who can make an immediate impact in the NFL next season.

10. Robert Turbin, Utah State

It is difficult to get noticed when you play football for Utah State, but Robert Turbin deserves more attention.

The junior received a medical redshirt after missing all of last season with a knee injury, but he recently declared himself eligible for the NFL draft.

This year, Turbin was one of only 10 players to rush for over 1,500 yards, and finished seventh in the nation with 19 touchdowns.

He does not possess the high-end speed of other running backs in this class, but Turbin weighs 216 pounds and is one of the strongest players in the nation.

It will even be tough for NFL players to bring him down.

9. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

Cyrus Gray did not explode this season, but has been a consistent force throughout his career at Texas A&M.

Gray has 3,298 rushing yards in four years, and 12 touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.

He also is a quality receiver, catching 103 balls in his career. This facet of the game is often overlooked in college, but the best running backs in the NFL are the ones who can get receptions out of the backfield.

An NFL team that needs depth should draft him in the middle rounds.

8. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati

As the offensive player of the year in the Big East, Isaiah Pead has been turning heads throughout the season.

The senior was vital to his team's success as Cincinnati won a share of the Big East championship, despite missing starting quarterback Zach Collaros for the final three games of the season.

Pead will most likely be a third-down back in the NFL, as he is very useful in the passing game as a receiver or a blocker.

7. Doug Martin, Boise State

Kellen Moore receives most of the headlines for Boise State, but Doug Martin might be as responsible for the team's success over the past few seasons.

Martin had an outstanding year at running back, but missed the game against TCU with a leg injury. That game ended up being Boise State's only loss of the season.

At 5'9", he is not the biggest player on the field, but recent success of short, strong players (Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew) should remove any concerns on draft day.

6. Chris Polk, Washington

Chris Polk had 1,400 rushing yards this season for the second year in a row, and could be a steal on the second day of the NFL draft.

Scouts describe the running back as being very patient, which could allow him to be a big-play runner in the NFL.

Some teams would rather have a player that simply runs downhill towards the end zone, but current players like Frank Gore and Matt Forte have shown there is value in waiting for the big play to develop.

5. LaMichael James, Oregon

LaMichael James is the very definition of game-changing. He is a threat to score whenever he gets the football.

This year, James rushed for over 1,500 yards for the third time in his career. His 7.4 yards per carry was second among players with over 150 carries.

The junior has already declared for the NFL draft, but there are concerns about whether or not he can be an every-down running back. He has struggled against quality defenses, and might be too small to stay healthy.

However, he will still be one of the fastest players in the draft and will make some big plays at the next level.

4. David Wilson, Virginia Tech

David Wilson started the 2010 season third on the depth chart at running back behind Ryan Williams and Darren Evans.

When both players left for the NFL, Wilson did not disappoint fans at Virginia Tech.

The junior finished the regular season with 1,627 rushing yards, good enough for fifth in the nation, and was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

Scouts Inc. has Wilson listed as the No. 2 running back prospect behind Trent Richardson, and his speed will make him a valuable asset to any NFL team.

3. Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Montee Ball spent the beginning of the season known as "the good running back on quarterback Russell Wilson's team." By the end of the year it was the other way around.

The Heisman finalist led the country with 1,759 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns.

Ball has said that he would not leave school unless he is projected to be taken in the first or second round. The bad news for Wisconsin is that he has been too good this season to drop past that point.

College statistics do not mean everything due to inconsistent competition, but Montee Ball's breakout year showed NFL teams that he can be an elite player at the next level.

2. Lamar Miller, Miami

After only two seasons at the college level, Lamar Miller is ready to prove he can play at the NFL level.

He will be hurt by the fact that Miami chose not to play in a bowl game this season, but scouts have likely seen enough of Miller to make him a first-round pick in the NFL draft.

The running back not only has great size for his position, but he reportedly ran a 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds at Miami.

This would immediately make him one of the fastest running backs in the NFL.

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama

Anyone who watches Trent Richardson play football should know he is the best running back in college football.

The statistics are impressive (1,583 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns), but the fact that he had to face the defensive-minded SEC every week makes the numbers stand out even more.

In addition, Richardson makes the difficult plays look easy. He can use his strength to run over linebackers and then use his speed to beat the fastest defensive backs to the end zone.

His 76-yard touchdown run against Ole Miss showed every skill you could possibly want in a running back.

Richardson has not yet entered the NFL draft, but if he does he will be a Top Five pick and immediately one of the best players in football at his position.