Miami Dolphins Draft Needs: Ranking the Best Mid-Round Running Back Options

Recent history has repeatedly proven that running back is no longer a "premium position." In other words, excluding elite prospects, quality running backs can be had in the second and third rounds, making teams less likely to address it in the first round.

Despite the overwhelming sentiment that the Dolphins will draft Mark Ingram in the first round, Miami has other needs they can address at No. 15 because this year's draft class is loaded with big-time collegiate backs who are projected to fall in the second- to fourth-round range.

Not to mention, the 'Fins can solve their running back woes with one of these players and one of the many quality backs set to hit the free agency market.

5. Roy Helu, Jr.

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs during their game against the Texas Longhorns game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Texas Defeated Nebraska 20-13. (Photo by Eric Francis

Nebraska's Roy Helu, Jr. barely made national headlines despite rushing for just under 1,300 yards, 11 touchdowns and amassing a 6.6 yards per carry average for the Cornhuskers in 2010. But after a stellar combine workout, Helu is starting to appear on the national radar.

At 6'0", 220 pounds, Helu looks like a textbook NFL back, and his combine numbers only further lament that outlook. He ran a 4.40 40-yard dash, and posted the best numbers amongst running backs in both the 20- and 60-yard shuttles.

He might be a workout warrior, but Helu produced extremely well in college, which ultimately dispels that label. If he is on the board in, say, the fourth round, the Dolphins could take a flier on "Helu, Goodbye."

4. Bilal Powell

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LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 15: Bilal Powell #15 of the Louisville Cardinals runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 15, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by An

Playing on an underachieving team in an underachieving conference has hampered Louisville running back Bilal Powell's draft prospectus, but if his collegiate dominance is any indication, he could shine in the NFL.

Powell utilized a very unique blend of size, speed and explosiveness to rush for 1,405 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. However, his pre-draft path has been rocky.

He ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine, which may be a bit too slow for the Dolphins' liking. Also, Powell irritated a hamstring injury during Louisville's pro day, denying him a chance to showcase superior speed.

If Powell can regroup from his injury and continues hovering below the radar, the Dolphins could snag the Lakeland native with a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

3. Jordan Todman

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EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies carries the in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 27, 2010 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Despite an extremely fruitful career with the UConn Huskies, Jordan Todman is currently projected as a middle-round pick. On the surface, he looks like the latest collegiate stud to fall by the NFL wayside. But Todman's parallels to former Big East star Ray Rice might suggest otherwise.

Todman and Rice both starred on Big East teams, but their height and workload posed doubt on their NFL prospectus. Both measure in at about 5'8", and carried the football over 330 times during their senior seasons. (Rice had 910 carries after three years, Todman just 569.)

Finally, both had stellar combines that raised their draft stocks (Todman ran a 4.4 and posted 25 bench press reps).

Rice's numbers were more impressive, but the parallels remain intriguing. Even if Todman does not pan out to be quite as good as his Big East standout predecessor, a team like Miami could get tremendous value somewhere close to or in the third round.

2. Shane Vereen

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Runningback Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears rushes the football against the Arizona Wildcats during the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated th

Cal running back Shane Vereen has drawn comparisons to former backfield mate Jahvid Best, and averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry for the Golden Bears in 2010. Although he does not possess the electrifying speed that Best does, Vereen is praised for superior rushing in between the tackles, something that will boost his chances of landing in Miami.

He posted a modest 4.49 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine, but showcased elite strength, pumping out 31 reps on the bench press, more than any other running back in attendance.

Vereen's workouts and game tape prove he is a versatile player capable of running over or around defenders. This might increase his chances of landing with a team like the Dolphins who will rely on multiple running backs to shoulder rather significant workloads. Vereen will likely be on the board when Miami picks in the third round, making him a likely target.

1. Kendall Hunter

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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)

Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter was statistically dominant in college, yet his talent, despite a stellar combine, remains oddly overlooked. Hunter ran for 1,548 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and carried that momentum into last week's combine where he posted the best broad jump, three-cone drill time and 60-yard shuttle time.

Mike Mayock still does not have Hunter on his list of top five running backs, and that may be a byproduct of his 5'7" frame. But based on the recent success of short, stocky running backs (Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Michael Turner), his size should not cause too much concern.