2011 NFL Draft: Which RBs Will and Won't Make It in the NFL?
The question that has to be asked every year of every prospect is whether or not they really can make it in the NFL.
The list of first-round busts is long and distinguished. But the list of low-round busts is 10 times as long with no fanfare attached.
Obviously with less money invested, low-round picks sometimes don't get the same chances first-round picks get, but that doesn't mean they can't be successful.
Here's a look at the Top 25 running backs in the draft, and their chance of long-term success in the league.
25. Mario Fannin, Auburn
1 of 25
Scouting Report
Fannin is undersized for the NFL, and his scouting report says he has poor technique.
He'll be a sixth-round pickup.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Probably not.
Undersized guys only get a few chances. If he's not successful in his first two or three years, teams will move on to the next crop of running back prospects.
Ideal Team
Any team in the NFC West at the moment. He'll have plenty of opportunities with the state of that division.
24. Allen Bradford, USC
2 of 25
Scouting Report
Bradford is bulkier than Fannin, and he's known to fight for the extra yard.
This will get him interest as high as the fifth round, but he's still probably a sixth-round pick.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Very possible.
His size makes him unsuitable to be a feature back. But if he's a fighter, he makes a great backup or kick returner.
Ideal Team
The Panthers could use a guy like Bradford in their backfield, and he'd have a chance to prove himself his rookie year.
23. Da'Rel Scott, Maryland
3 of 25
Scouting Report
Scott has average height and bulk.
But he does have speed, and teams always are interested in a fast running back. His speed definitely will get him drafted in the high sixth or low fifth round.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes. Scott can be a great low-round find for a team.
Ideal Team
With his speed, a turf team like the Vikings could use him in relief of Adrian Peterson.
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22. Damien Berry, Miami
4 of 25
Scouting Report
Damien Berry has been averaging 4.9 yards per carry, but he's already torn an ACL in his career.
That injury keeps him from being drafted any higher than the fifth round at this point.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
No. Berry already seems injury-prone.
You can't be fragile at the NFL level.
Ideal Team
Cleveland Browns.
They don't care about taking guys with injury histories. Look at Montario Hardesty.
21. Baron Batch, Texas Tech
5 of 25
Scouting Report
Baron Batch is quick, makes good cuts and is described as a fearless runner.
However, he is small for an NFL running back and doesn't tend to fall forward. He'll be a great late-round pickup, though, who could end up being a great kick returner.
Is He Playing Five Years From Now?
Yes.
Being quick and making good cuts will get him noticed on special teams, where he can make a name and get a roster spot.
Ideal Team
The Miami Dolphins not only need youth at their running back position, they could use him on special teams.
20. Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech
6 of 25
Scouting Report
He has good size and speed, never has been in trouble, and he protects the ball while churning for extra yards.
He'll be one of the big draft steals of the year because he'll probably last until the fifth round.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes.
Every GM that passed up on him will be hating themselves later for missing out on this guy.
Ideal Team
The New England Patriots.
Bill Belichick's system is perfect for Allen. With only BenJarvus Green-Ellis to compete with, the field is wide open.
19. Nicolas Grigsby, University of Arizona
7 of 25
Scouting Report
Grigsby can get big runs, and is fast enough to catch scouts' attention.
Grigsby has no major marks against him, and should be able to transition to the NFL with little problem. He's a solid fifth-round pick
Is He Playing Five Years From Now?
Yes.
Grigsby can break past the line for the big run, so he'll be hanging around the NFL for awhile.
Ideal Team
The Redskins could use him as a good third option out of the backfield.
18. Victor Anderson, Louisville
8 of 25
Scouting Report
Anderson is quick, explosive through the line, and runs in ways that make the blockers miss.
He's an upper fifth-round pick, or possibly a fourth-round pick.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes.
An explosive runner who can make blockers miss is a valuable commodity that will be kept in the NFL.
Ideal Team
The Pittsburgh Steelers would have an interest in this guy.
17. Armando Allen, Notre Dame
9 of 25
Scouting Report
Allen is a natural tailback with a lot of speed.
He's no higher than late fourth-round.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Maybe. If he can make a mark as a kick or punt returner, he'll have life beyond the first few years.
If he can't, he's too small to last long coming out of the backfield in the NFL year after year.
Ideal Team
His style would probably fit well with Rex Ryan's Jets.
16. Evan Royster, Penn State
10 of 25
Scouting Report
Royster can hit the holes and turn it up a notch once he's in the clear, but scouts criticize him for his poor cutting ability.
Royster probably gets lost in the mix and ends up a fourth-round pick.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Doubtful.
If Royster's cutting ability doesn't improve once he hits the pros, the holes he sees in college will be non-existant for him in the pros unless he gets behind a really good line.
Ideal Team
The Vikings have a pretty good line, and they could use a better backup for Adrian Peterson.
15. Brandon Saine, Ohio State
11 of 25
Scouting Report
Saine gets black marks for being an inconsistent runner.
But he fights for yards, makes good cuts and is a good blocker. He's solid fourth-round material
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes.
Saine has a solid base. While he may not be a feature back, he'll be a regular contributor to the offense.
Ideal Team
Eric Mangini likes all of Saine's qualities in a runner, and Saine would love to work right up the road from his alma mater at Ohio State.
14. Roy Helu, Nebraska
12 of 25
Scouting Report
Helu shows good speed and explosiveness out of the backfield.
But he gets knocked for his tendency to stop running once he gets hit and not fighting for the extra yard. However, scouts also note he shows good awareness for where he is on the field and where the first-down markers are.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
No.
Helu can't make it for long in the NFL if he doesn't fight for yards. Teams simply will stop giving him the ball and move on.
Ideal Team
Mike Singletary of the 49ers would be a good coach to get through to Helu.
13. Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
13 of 25
Scouting Report
Dion Lewis has shown himself to be a very agile, speedy runner who is determined to be the "go-to" guy in the running game.
Lewis has shown good skills and technique and has the intangibles teams look for when drafting. Lewis will go in the third round.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes.
Lewis' attitude will give him all the opportunities he needs to make it in the NFL.
Ideal Team
The Packers have room for a guy like this in their backfield, where he would excel.
12. Derrick Locke, Kentucky
14 of 25
Scouting Report
Locke isn't the biggest back in the pool of prospects, but he runs through people and doesn't go down easy.
He plays tough, and that will attract a lot of attention as we move closer to draft day. Locke will be a third-round pick, no problem.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes.
Running through people will guarantee you a job in the NFL after your rookie season.
Ideal Team
The Giants can draft and develop this guy as an eventual backup for Ahmad Bradshaw and a replacement for Brandon Jacobs, who is 28 right now.
11. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State
15 of 25
Scouting Report
Kendall Hunter is known as a "straight-ahead" runner.
But his ability to get through the line has been questioned. Hunter shows good balance and ability to see the play developing, and that ability to read the defense will make him a good pickup for any NFL team.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Possibly.
If Hunter can be coached up, then he'll be a successful running back.
Ideal Team
The Broncos like guys who are smart and can read the defenses.
Josh McDaniels will rely on his coaching ability to develop the rest.
10. Graig Cooper, Miami
16 of 25
Scouting Report
Cooper gets high marks from scouts on a lot of his abilities.
But he has been known to let the ball hang out. Cooper will be a high third-round pick.
Is He Playing Five Years From Now?
Yes.
Proper technique can be taught. As long as Cooper learns how to keep the ball, he'll make a great running back in the NFL.
Ideal Team
The Eagles could use him in their backfield behind LeSean McCoy.
9. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
17 of 25
Scouting Report
At 5'7", Rodgers has a tough road ahead of him to succeed in the NFL.
But he has a great heart, legs that never stop moving and a work ethic to make it in the pros.
He has all the attributes of a great NFL running back except his size. But others have overcome that before, and Rodgers looks like he can do it as well.
No higher than the third round, though.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes.
Rodgers has heart and determination. As long as his body doesn't let him down, he'll be in the NFL for years to come.
Ideal Team
He'd be better on a turf team, and the Colts seem like a team that would take a chance on him with their system.
8. John Clay, Wisconsin
18 of 25
Scouting Report
John Clay is classified as a "downhill runner" with good moves and a reputation for fighting for extra yards.
However, he's been known to fumble during those scraps, so buyer beware.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Maybe.
Under the right system, Clay will excel and his fumbles will be overlooked. Or nullified by a good defense.
Ideal Team
The Baltimore Ravens would be a good team for Clay, as their defense is pretty good.
7. Noel Devine, West Virginia
19 of 25
Scouting Report
Devine runs well, cuts well and can get through blockers well.
He also is a good pass blocker and has above-average speed. His height and bulk will be issues going into the Combine.
But he projects well enough to still be drafted relatively high, possibly even the second round.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes.
All his issues will be forgotten once he starts playing.
Ideal Team
The Bengals would be able to use this guy in his rookie year, and it wouldn't cost them a lot.
6. LaMichael James, Oregon
20 of 25
Scouting Report
LaMichael James got the opportunity to show his stuff after LeGarrette Blount was suspended last year, and got several offensive honors over the course of the season.
He's relatively small, though, and that could affect his draft position. He may benefit from staying one more year, but his ranking is so high that he might be crazy to risk one more year in college.
He's almost a lock for the second round.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Doubtful.
This just has bust written all over it.
Ideal Team
If he has any chance to succeed, it'll be with a team like Dallas.
5. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
21 of 25
Scouting Report
Daniel Thomas is 6'2", 228 lbs., and his scouting report reads like a general manager's fantasy.
Thomas goes no later than the second round, and his natural abilities for finding holes and breaking through for the big run will give him plenty of options in the NFL.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes. Thomas is the real deal.
Ideal Team
If the Patriots don't take a running back in the first round, Thomas would be their ideal guy.
4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
22 of 25
Scouting Report
DeMarco Murray has all the intangibles GMs want in their players in the 21st Century.
But what could affect his draft status is his injury history. While none of his injuries appear to have long-term consequences, the durability issue surfaces.
He goes no later than mid-second round.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes, as long as he doesn't fall prey to the injury bug.
Ideal Team
The Saints will take a chance on this guy because they have no depth at running back besides Reggie Bush.
3. Shane Vereen, California
23 of 25
Scouting Report
Shane Vereen is a guy who has consistent 100-yard game potential and finds ways to make plays.
He's a projected second-round draft pick. Given how team's needs may go in the first round, that's not an unrealistic projection.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes. Vereen is a playmaker.
Ideal Team
Vereen could do well with the Seahawks.
2. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
24 of 25
Scouting Report
Other than ball security, Williams projects out well as an NFL running back.
He could go in the first round if a team wants him that badly.
Is He Playing 5 Years from Now?
Yes. Williams is a low-risk pick.
Ideal Team
The Bears could use a guy like Williams to add real depth to their backfield and take pressure off Jay Cutler to make all the plays.
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama
25 of 25
Scouting Report
Your 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, his resume and on-field work speak for itself.
There's always the "Heisman Curse" to worry about. But if you go strictly by his on-field production and the scouting reports, Ingram is the No. 1 prospect and will have a good career in the NFL.
He's a first-round pick.
Is He Playing Five Years From Now?
Yes.
Ingram doesn't have any attributes that would suggest he's going to bust out.
Ideal Team
I have Ingram mocked to the Dolphins, but he would be a good fit on any team.
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