NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking the Top 15 Running Backs Coming Out

The results are in and the college running backs have spoken.

While some guys certainly have time to improve or damage their stock at the combines, we have a pretty clear picture of how these running backs stack up to one another.

This is not a particularly deep year for running backs, but there is certainly some NFL talent to be had. The following guys are the running backs that teams, who are looking to draft a running back, are going to considering.

No. 15: Evan Royster (Penn State)

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Running back Evan Royster #22 of the Penn State Nittany Lions pushed off linebacker Jelani Jenkins #43 of the Florida Gators January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messer

Evan Royster has the size to make it in the NFL, but he lacks the speed. He is listed around the 4.5 range. His size is somewhat negated by his high running style.

Royster needs to learn to run behind his pads and drop a tenth of a second off of his 40-time before he will be cracking the upper echelon of this class.

No. 14: Allen Bradford (USC)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: Running back Allen Bradford #21 of the USC Trojans is tackled by Keenan Graham #59 of the UCLA Bruins during the first half at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. USC defeated UCLA 28-14. (Photo by Jeff

Allen Bradford was not the focus of his offense. In the 2010 season, Bradford had to deal with a hip injury and falling out of favor with his coach.

Bradford should not be viewed as an every down back, but he could be a nice change of pace backup or short yardage back.

No. 13: Armando Allen Jr. (Notre Dame)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Armando Allen Jr. #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs against the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium on September 25, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Stanford defeated Notre Dame 37-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Armando Allen Jr. is a low to the ground runner that lacks elite NFL speed. He does have a nice burst through the hole, but his lack of top end speed or superior power will keep him in the lower rounds.

No. 12: Derrick Locke (Kentucky)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Locke is explosive. He reportedly runs the 40 in 4.37. At 5'9" and 190 pounds, scouts do not project him as being an every down back.

He runs hard and he runs low, but it is hard to imagine his small frame standing up to the abuse of the NFL.

No. 11: Roy Helu (Nebraska)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty

Roy Helu runs hard and he runs low, he just doesn't do it very fast. He is projected as a backup and possibly a future fullback in the NFL.

No. 10: Owen Marecic (Stanford)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: (L-R) Jeremy Stewart #34 and Owen Marecic #48 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrate after Stewart scored a 60-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Li

Marecic is the best true fullback in the draft and the only one on this list. As a fullback, he doesn't have a weakness. He can handle short yardage carries, block, and catch passes.

Teams are also going to love his go for broke playing style and his ability to contribute on special teams.

No. 9: John Clay (Wisconsin)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

At 6'1" and 248 pounds, size is not going to be a problem for Clay. He lacks the speed to be a lead back in the NFL, but he could be a very nice change of pace back.

Scouts have questioned his conditioning and toughness. Clay needs to learn how to take a hit from defenders.

No. 8: Noel Devine (West Virginia)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo b

Noel Devine is the fastest and most explosive back in the draft. He will also be one of the smallest in the NFL. At 5'8" and 175 pounds, it is not likely Devine could handle being a starter in the NFL.

He will be a dangerous change of pace back that is a threat to take it to the house anytime he touches it.

No. 7: Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball as Olaitan Oguntodu #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

Daniel Thomas is a true straight ahead, no frills runner. He is 6'2" and 227 pounds. He runs low and with power. His instincts have been questioned, but this is an area he greatly improved in 2010.

The only thing keeping Thomas out of the first two rounds is his reported 4.6 40 time.

No. 6: Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 20, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kendall Hunter has breath taking moves, but he is a little small, and has a slight history of injuries.

While he may not be an every down back, he has the hands and the explosiveness to be a difference maker as a third down back.

No. 5: Shane Vereen (California)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears in action against the Stanford Cardinal at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Vereen is deceptively powerful. He is not as explosive as his California predecessor, Jahvid Best, but he is a much stronger interior runner. He also has solid pass catching skills.

No. 4: Mikel Leshoure (Illinois)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance against the Northwestern Wildcats during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated

Mikel has the perfect size and hard running style for the NFL game. He lacks the elite speed to be one of the top backs, but put this guy in a one cut and go zone blocking system and he could be a Pro Bowler.

No. 3: DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

DeMarco has a solid combination of size and speed. He also has a few make-you-miss moves to go with it. DeMarco also has tremendous hands coming out of the backfield.

Murray's ball carrying instincts have been questioned, but not enough that will find him lasting past the second round.

No. 2: Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Ryan Williams has the size, power, and moves to be special in the NFL, but he also has battled injuries during his short college career.

Despite his injury concerns, Williams' talents will not leave him on the draft board beyond the second round.

No. 1: Mark Ingram (Alabama)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Eltoro Freeman #21 of the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ingram is the No. 1 running back on virtually every draft board in the nation. He is a complete back and he has shown he can handle a heavy workload.

He did have a minor knee injury to start the 2010 season, but he bounced right back to his elite form.