2011 NFL Draft: Power Ranking the 10 Best Running Backs in This Year's Draft

Typically, the running back position is one of the more glamorous skill positions people tend to focus on in the time leading up to the NFL draft.

This year, there seems to be a drop-off of interest.

There aren't any players at the talent level of Reggie Bush, Darren McFadden or Adrian Peterson. In fact, the top running back isn't expected to go until roughly the 15th selection in the first round.

Although there may be a lack of top-end talent, there is no shortage of depth. This may be one of the deepest draft classes at running back that we have seen in quite some time.

Here are power rankings for the 10 best running backs in the 2011 NFL draft.

10. Jamie Harper (Clemson)

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Jamie Harper #8 of the Clemson Tigers scores a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Jamie Harper is a player who is very tough to get a read on. At times, he shows great explosiveness, but at other times he was shut down by much lesser competition on the college level.

Last season at Clemson, he rushed for only 760 yards on 197 carries. His 3.9 yards per carry average is much lower than you would expect from an early-entry junior.

What Harper does have is physical size and the speed to go along with it.

He may succeed particularly well in a West Coast offense, where he can utilize his unique receiving abilities.

Harper could also be dangerous as a return man.

9. Jordan Todman (Connecticut)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies stiff arms Jamell Fleming #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Ariz

Jordan Todman caught some eyes at the combine, as he had one of the more impressive days among the group of running backs.

His 4.40-second 40-yard dash time was the most notable of the drills. He also benched 225 pounds 25 times, proving he has the power to go along with the speed.

The early-entry junior is coming off his second straight season with over 1,000 yards rushing at Connecticut.

He rushed for 14 touchdowns in 2009 and had another 14 rushing touchdowns in 2010.

I'm surprised we haven't heard more talk about Jordan Todman.

8. Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh)

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10.(Photo by A

Dion Lewis is one of the least experienced players in the 2011 draft.

This will ultimately hurt his stock, meaning a team could get a steal.

As a freshman, Lewis ran for 1,799 yards on 5.5 yards per carry. He followed that up with a sophomore campaign where he rushed for 1,061 yards on a 4.8 yards per carry average.

In the span of the two seasons, he has also rushed for 30 touchdowns.

He is young, undersized and a bit unproven. He will drop past the first few rounds before being selected, but whoever takes the chance could find a gem.

7. DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball as Scott Lutrus #32 of the Connecticut Huskies attempts to take it away in the first half during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January

DeMarco Murray was never asked to carry a heavy load at Oklahoma. In four years, he only carried the ball more than 200 times one season. That season was this most recent one.

The 1,214 yards on 282 carries and 15 touchdowns was the best statistical output of his career.

Murray has proven to be very consistent and durable.

He is a great receiver out of the backfield. During his time with the Sooners, he totaled 157 receptions for 1,571 yards and also had 13 receiving touchdowns.

6. Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball 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/Get

Ryan Williams is an extremely talented player.

However, I'm not going to throw him to the top of the draft board based on one year of production.

Williams spent the entire season battling injuries, which raises concerns about his durability.

He is only a sophomore, which leaves one year's worth of production to judge from, but that year was fantastic. Williams rushed for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns.

I wish Williams would have opted to stay in school for at least one more year. If he had, chances are he could have been a first-round selection.

5. Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State)

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Runningback Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs with the football during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the W

A disappointing performance at the NFL scouting combine shouldn't hurt Rodgers' stock too much.

His 4.64-second 40-yard dash time was disappointing due to his lack of size at 5'6" and 191 pounds.

However, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock makes a solid argument regarding Rodgers' size:

“People want to say he’s too small. He’s not too small for me. He never missed a game, 900 touches.”

Rodgers had some great years at Oregon State, leading the school to some of the better records in recent history. In his three seasons with the Badgers, Rodgers rushed for 3,877 yards and 46 touchdowns.

4. Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State)

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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 is my favorite running back in the 2011 draft class.

He's not the biggest or the fastest, but it's just a spectacular sight to watch this kid run.

Over his four years at Oklahoma State, Hunter accumulated 4,181 rushing yards on a 5.9 yards per carry average.

The concern with Hunter will be durability. He has a smaller frame that will concern some teams.

Along with this, he spent 2009 battling injuries that kept him sidelined for the majority of the year.

3. Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)

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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

A left hamstring injury kept Daniel Thomas out of the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine.

If he had the opportunity to perform, there was a solid chance Thomas would have thrown his name into discussions for the later first round.

Without the showing, scouts are going to have to focus solely on Thomas' two years at Kansas State.

His 2,850 yards and 30 touchdowns over two years have quickly made him one of the top prospects this year.

At 6'2" and 225 pounds, Thomas is also one of the bigger backs who will be drafted.

2. Mikel Leshoure (Illinois)

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs past Bryce McNaul #51 of the Northwestern Wildcats and towards Brian Peters #10 on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20

Mikel Leshoure is one of those players who seemed to come out of nowhere last season.

That's because he did.

Leshoure was a backup until this season, and although he still showed fantastic production as a backup, it wasn't enough to base an opinion on.

After a junior campaign that ended with 1,697 yards and 17 touchdowns, it's now safe to make a judgment.

His 6.0 yards per carry average was one of the more impressive statistics in college football last season.

Leshoure is a big back but runs with more agility and quickness than you may expect. He is moving up draft charts and could find himself edging into the late first round.

1. Mark Ingram (Alabama)

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

No surprise here.

I'm yet to come across anybody who doesn't have the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner as the best running back in this year's class.

The first person that does will likely be dubbed mentally unstable.

The only fear in the eyes of many teams was the 4.62-second 40-yard dash time Ingram put up in the combine.

At Alabama's pro day he erased that doubt, posting a time of 4.50 seconds.

I think it's safe to say Ingram will be the top running back selected in the 2011 NFL draft.