2011 NFL Mock Draft: Order Mark Ingram and the Top 10 Halfbacks Will Be Taken

Mark Ingram: The Alabama running back seems to be the only one with star potential.  There's almost no chance two backs would even be taken in the first round.

There's no C.J. Spillers this season that can shoot up into the top 10, but there are a good handful of backs that have the potential to start in the NFL.

Today, workhorse halfbacks in the league are few and far between.  That means more opportunities for mid-round picks to get playing time early.

You can't forget about the James Starks and LeGarrette Blounts of the draft, the late round to undrafted backs who make an immediate impact on a squad. 

None of these backs will end up being that type of back because they'll be the first 10 taken.

10. Delone Carter

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 30: Delone Carter #3 of the Syracuse Orange runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Delone Carter wasn't necessarily an unknown heading into the NFL offseason, but his stock wasn't nearly as high as it is now.

He's a pretty big back,weighing 222 pounds at 5'9".  At that size, he ran a 4.43 at his pro day moving him into third round consideration.

Projection: 107th overall to the San Francisco 49ers.

9. Jacquizz Rodgers

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 04: Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the 114th Civil War on December 4, 2010 at the Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Stock Update: The 5'7" 'Quizz Rodgers is well known because of the incredible numbers he put up for a back his size, but that size will cost him on draft day.

At the NFL Combine, Rodgers ran an abysmal 4.64 in the 40 yard dash.  It looked like he would be drafted in the later rounds, but he came through with a 4.47 at his pro day bumping him back up to the middle rounds.

Projection: 96th overall to the Green Bay Packers.

8. 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)

Stock Update: Kendall Hunter is another back who put up incredible numbers in college.

Some reports are saying Hunter has a solid chance to be selected in the second round.  He improved from a 4.47 at the combine to a 4.43 40 at his pro day.

Projection: 92nd overall to the New England Patriots.

7. DeMarco Murray

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Running back Demarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Stock Update: DeMarco Murray's biggest weakness is his ability to stay healthy, so if he can overcome that, he'll have a productive career.

The Oklahoma back has drawn comparisons to Reggie Bush.  He justified that comparison a bit more after running a 4.37 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Projection: 84th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

6. Jordan Todman

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EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies carries the ball around the Cincinnati Bearcats defense on November 27, 2010 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the Bearcats 38-17. (Photo

Stock Update: A whopping 25 teams showed up at Jordan Todman's pro day.  He didn't run the 40 time because he was content with his combine time of 4.4 seconds.

Todman is another back who has the potential to sneak up into the second round on draft day.

Projection: 78th overall to the St. Louis Rams.

5. Daniel Thomas

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Runningback Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. UCLA defeated Kansas State 23-9. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty I

Stock Update: Thomas performed so well this season that with a great offseason, he could have moved himself into first round consideration.

He hasn't been able to run because of a pulled hamstring, so questions about his speed still exist.  His stock could also dip slightly after he reportedly rescheduled several meetings.

Projection: 72nd overall to the New Orleans Saints.

4. Shane Vereen

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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)

Stock Update: Shane Vereen replaced Jahvid Best at California very well and has always been considered a high draft choice, but this offseason he has really opened some eyes.  

He weighed in at 210 pounds, ran a 4.47 40 time and benched 32 reps of 225 pounds on the bench, more than many 300 pound lineman.  How would you like to be a 185-pound cornerback and take a stiff arm on from Vereen?

Projection: 61st overall to the San Diego Chargers.

3. Ryan Williams

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Ryan Williams impressed at the NFL Combine showing incredible quickness in the position drills and showed off his explosiveness with a 40 inch vertical.  A 4.55 40 time hurt his stock a bit, but he shaved the 40 time off to a 4.45 at his pro day.

Some analysts believe he is the second best running back in the draft class.

Projection: 52nd overall to the New York Giants.

2. Mikel LeShoure

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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

Stock Update: Mikel LeShoure, like Daniel Thomas, really made a name for himself in the 2010 season.

He's a 6'0", 232-pound power back.  He has reportedly look like a natural in receiving drills at the combine and his pro day which could make teams believe he could be a three down back in the NFL.

Projection: 35th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.

1. Mark Ingram

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Mark Ingram is the consensus No. 1 back in the 2011 NFL Draft, and there really isn't any debate.

He's not the fastest back in the draft running only a 4.53, but he may be the quickest and his vision is unparalleled.  You know when a back is drawing comparisons to Emmitt Smith, they're going to be special.

Projection: 15th overall to the Miami Dolphins.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.