2008 NFL Draft Breakdown, Part 2: Running Back

As the 2008 NFL Draft approaches, a very talented draft class has surfaced. I will do a positional breakdown of the best quarterbacks, wide receivers, tailbacks and rank my top 5 for each.

Here we go…

 
Running Back

1. Darren McFadden-Arkansas

The 6 foot 2 junior out of the University of Arkansas is possibly the biggest threat out of the backfield in the 2008 NFL Draft.

 McFadden possesses incredible speed (4.3 40 yard dash) and weighs 215 lbs., so he can remain in the game on short yardage downs. Look for McFadden to be drafted high.

Projected Round: Top 5

2. Jonathan Stewart-Oregon

A small, quick but powerful back Jonathan Stewart would be a great fit with a team who needs a tailback.

Stewart had an spectacular junior season with the Ducks, rushing for 1,722 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Stewart showed his true colors in the Sun Bowl against 21st ranked South Florida breaking out 253 yards on the ground on just 23 carries.

Projected Round: Top 15

3. Rashard Mendenhall-Illinois

Breaking out of his shell in his junior season, Mendenhall almost quadrupled his rushing yards from the previous year and tripled his touchdowns.

He is also an accomplished route runner with 34 catches on the year for 318 yards.

Hi 200+ all purpose yards in the Rose Bowl showed he could play well in the pressure situations.

Projected Round: Top 20

4. Felix Jones-Arkansas

The second of the two star Razorback running backs, Felix Jones is an electrifying back.

Although he started three of the fourteen games his junior year, Jones made the most of his playing time with 1,162 yards last season.

Projected Round: Top 25

5. Ray Rice-Rutgers

Rice was a finalist for the Maxwell Award and is also the leading rusher in Rutgers history. Rice had a astounding 36 game career.

With a great offensive line at Rutgers, Ray Rice is one of the best players overall in the NCAA.

Projected Round: Mid-Late 1^st Round

Other RB’s to Look Out For

Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech

Chris Johnson, East Carolina

Steve Slaton, West Virginia

Jamaal Charles, Texas