NFL Free Agents 2011: 5 Most Dangerous Home-Run Threats at RB

All I need is one block, one crease, one play…

These are the running backs defenders fear. Sure, bringing a power back to the ground takes more effort, but three yards at a time isn’t going to keep defenders awake at night like 80 yards in the blink of an eye can. Home-run hitters can change the outcome of game in just one play.

A game-breaker forces a defense to know where he lines up before every single snap. 

If a defensive end can’t set the edge: touchdown. 

If the back-side linebacker doesn’t stay in his lane: touchdown. 

If a safety over-pursues: touchdown. 

Here are the five most dangerous home-run threats at the running back position in the 2011 NFL free agent class; all they need is one block.

5. Jerome Harrison

Jerome Harrison may be the best change-of-pace back in the NFL the common fan has never heard of.  Harrison was forced to sit behind Jamal Lewis early in his career in Cleveland, but when given the opportunity in 2008, Harrison broke out. 

Harrison gained more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage even though he was forced to back up Lewis half of the year. He closed out the season rushing for 571 yards and five touchdowns in the final three games.  The video clip is a highlight of his 286-yard, three-touchdown effort to begin the hot streak.

Harrison was traded to the Eagles during the 2010 season, and during his time in Philly he averaged 6.0 yards a carry. He only received double-digit carries once during the year, but in that contest, he rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown on 9.9 yards a pop.

4. DeAngelo Willliams

DeAngelo Williams is the best overall running back in the 2011 free agent class, but he also isn’t just the average, all-around back. Williams is explosive in the open field and played his best football when he was paired with a power back who complemented his quickness.

His best year came in 2008 when he rushed for 1,515 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns on 5.5 yards a pop. Despite being plagued by injuries during his career, Williams has still managed to produce a career average of 5.0 yards per carry.

Throughout Williams’ career, he has broken away on 44 plays in which he rushed or caught the ball for 20 yards or more, as well as 10 plays where he took the ball at least 40 yards.

3. Derrick Locke

Derrick Locke out of Kentucky somehow, someway went undrafted, even though he was projected by many to go as high as the fourth round. His senior season for the Wildcats, Locke averaged 5.3 yards a carry and 9.4 yards a reception adding 10 touchdowns. Against Auburn, he rushed for 6.2 yards a pop and 4.5 against Florida for 103 yards.

At 5'8" and 188 pounds, he’s small, but he’s not too small that he didn’t deserve to be drafted. Locke ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Being an undrafted free agent, he’ll come extremely cheap, and to a team desperately needing a third-down back, it’s as valuable of a pickup as you can get. Locke is fast, lightning quick and as shifty as they come, so don’t be surprised if he turns into Darren Sproles v2.

2. Noel Devine

Even though Noel Devine comes in second on this list, he definitely has the best highlight reel of the five backs. Those are his junior highlights, and here are his sophomore and freshman seasons.

Devine is another explosive back who went undrafted and shouldn’t have. The game-breaker broke away for 31 touchdowns during his career at West Virginia. In 2009 against Florida State in the Gator Bowl, Devine rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown on 10.5 yards a carry.

He actually weighed in at 5'7" and 160 pounds at the Senior Bowl, but since then he upped his weight to 179. At his pro day, Devine blazed the track, running a 4.26 in the 40-yard dash. He may be small, but get him the ball four to six times a game in space, and he can be a difference-maker.

Plus, these talented, undrafted backs are going to have a chip on their shoulder like no other.

1. Darren Sproles

There is no more dangerous home-run hitter in free agency than the Lightning Bug himself. At 5'6" and 190 pounds, Darren Sproles has proven that size doesn’t always matter at the running back position, and a low center of gravity is an advantage.

Sproles has scored 21 all-purpose touchdowns during his career for the Chargers, including four as a return ace. He has been a 1,200-yard return man every year of his career as well. This past season, Sproles was only given about three rushes a game, but he made the most of his attempts, rushing for 5.3 yards a carry.

He can beat you on the ground, catching a pass out of the backfield and in the return game. Darren Sproles is in for a big payday this offseason.

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