2011 NFL Draft: Mark Ingram and the Top 5 Running Back Prospects

We enter a new stage in the NFL where teams use multiple running backs and follow what the New England Patriots have been doing for years: "running back by committee."

Teams try to split the carries evenly in a dual-back system, or even more, to try to lengthen an NFL running back's career.

The 2011 NFL Draft class has a decent offering of running back prospects—some of them, NFL-ready talent.

Some of these running backs may be busts, but some of them could end up being a 1,000-yard rusher—you simply just can't tell.

It's a gamble when you draft a running back; you never know what you're going to get. 

In my opinion, here are the top five running back prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft class. 

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @    TonySantorsa.

5. Jordan Todman, Connecticut

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

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

Mock Projection: Third-to-fourth round

Strengths

UConn's Jordan Todman is one of the draft's more shifty running backs. 

He possess above-average speed—fast enough that he can beat defenders to the corner. 

Along with his speed, Todman can make defenders miss. He has some of the better footwork out of the other prospects and can change direction at ease. 

In 2010, Todman performed at an elite level rushing for 1,695 yards and 14 touchdowns—he ran for at least 80 yards every game. 

His above-average skill set comes with a high motor and great work ethic. Todman is always trying to get faster, stronger and better in general. 

Weaknesses

Standing in at 5'8" and 203 lbs., Todman is rather small for an every-down back—he will need to add more muscle to become a more productive back. 

Due to his lack of power and strength, he is not great at running in between the tackles. He tends to bounce plays outside when he doesn't have to.  

4. 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)

Mock Projection: Third-to-fourth round

Strengths

Shane Vereen is one of the few backs that has the NFL-ready size. He stands in at 5'10" and 210 lbs., and has the skill set and talent to be an every-down back. 

Vereen is a great athlete with exceptional speed—he beats defenders to the corner and flies through the line of scrimmage. 

Some NFL scouts have been comparing Vereen to Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice because of his style of running. 

Vereen is a well-rounded back that cannot only run but block and run pass patterns out of the backfield. He is one of the draft's top receiving running backs.

Weaknesses

The only glaring weakness for Vereen is that he isn't really explosive; he's more of a workhorse. He will put defenses to sleep with his four yards and a cloud of dust every play. 

3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

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)

Mock Projection: Second-to-third round

Strengths

Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams is one of the most well-rounded backs in this year's draft, he has it all. 

Williams has the ideal NFL build, skill set and—more notably—Williams is known for giving the hits rather than absorbing them. 

Despite an injury-plagued 2010 season, Williams put up big numbers as a freshman in 2009. He ran for a school record 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns—he was that good. 

Weaknesses

Some scouts feel that Williams is coming out too soon and his stock is much lower than it should be. Also, a sub-par NFL combine definitely doesn't help the sophomore running back.

One minor note about Williams is that he needs to improve his pass blocking skills. 

However, Williams is slotted to go somewhere in the second-to-third round and in my opinion, he will be a steal. 

2. 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

Mock Projection: Second round

Strengths

At the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, Leshoure checked in at 5'11" and 227 lbs.—the ideal NFL running back weight. 

Leshoure is projected to go as early as the late-first round due to his well-rounded skill set and amazing potential. 

At Illinois, Leshoure had 1,697 yards his senior year while averaging an impressive 6.0 yards per carry and scoring a nice amount of touchdowns (17). 

Leshoure has great vision as a running back and does a great job finding the right holes to run through while remaining patient and composed. 

Weaknesses

He doesn't always settle for the three or four yards; Leshoure is always trying to make the big play which results in a loss of yards on many occasions. 

Being 227 lbs., Leshoure did not run well at the combine (4.59 40-yard dash time), which certainly hurt his stock. 

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Ahmad Black #35 of the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mock Projection: Mid-to-late first round

Strengths

Mark Ingram is this draft's stud running back. 

Ingram is projected to go in the mid-first round and will be an immediate impact on whatever team drafts him.

Having such an athletic and muscular frame is a major plus for NFL scouts, as Ingram is extremely hard to bring down by defenders.

Ingram has no issue running in between the tackles and breaking it to the outside and beating the defender to the corner.

The most impressive stat about Ingram is that he gained 1,075 yards after contact in 2009—over 50 percent of his total yardage. That is just unreal and freakish. 

Weaknesses

At the combine in Indianapolis, Ingram did not run very well. Ingram posted a below average 4.62 40-yard dash time. 

Ingram is not the home-run threat; he is the every-down back that can gain a consistent four yards every play.

One attribute that I've picked up from Ingram is that he takes a lot of hits rather than giving him—he doesn't do a great job of lowering his shoulder rather than absorbing the tackler's hit.