College RB's - Who will be the best in the pro's?

[RocketsDWM]

I dont follow college that much but is McFadden supposed to be the number one running back coming out of college next year? Who is projected to perform the best in the NFL? In other words, whose game translates better to the NFL?

[mikus]

You might get some more love (and better answers) to this question if you go here:

viewforum.php?f=17

Some real die-hard college folks up in there.

McFadden, to me, clearly is the most talented and NFL-ready back of all the backs in college. He is the clear cut No. 1 RB in the class IMHO.

[CC]

McFadden is the clear #1 RB in this years class but there is going to be a ton of RB talent in this draft.
If all the top juniors come out (unlikely) we are looking at a crop like this (loosely ranked in order):

McFadden*
Jonathon Stewart*
Felix Jones
Rashard Mendenhall*
Ray Rice*
Steve Slaton*
Jamal Charles
James Davis*

The senior RB crop is weak although there are some solid guys in there:

Mike Hart
Ryan Torain (if he is healthy)
Tashard Choice

The *'s denote the juniors I think will declare for the draft.

[JasonSeahorn]

the 49ers are gonna end up with a horrible record and the patriots are gonna draft mcfadden

[tclangham]

the 49ers are gonna end up with a horrible record and the patriots are gonna draft mcfadden

It makes no sense why the Patriots would still be able to get this pick. It looks like it will be a top 10 pick for a team that will atleast make the AFC championship game. It just sickens me how the rich get richer.

[RocketsDWM]

McFadden is the clear #1 RB in this years class but there is going to be a ton of RB talent in this draft.
If all the top juniors come out (unlikely) we are looking at a crop like this (loosely ranked in order):

McFadden*
Jonathon Stewart*
Felix Jones
Rashard Mendenhall*
Ray Rice*
Steve Slaton*
Jamal Charles
James Davis*

The senior RB crop is weak although there are some solid guys in there:

Mike Hart
Ryan Torain (if he is healthy)
Tashard Choice

The *'s denote the juniors I think will declare for the draft.

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.

CC - I really respect your opinion as you seem to have a wealth of knowledge about the college game. I was wondering:

-Out of that list, who will be the best pro's? Is it McFadden? Anyone else who might have a solid NFL career? Who would you compare McFadden to that is in the NFL now?

Thanks again

[Axl's Army]

You might get some more love (and better answers) to this question if you go here:

viewforum.php?f=17

Some real die-hard college folks up in there.

McFadden, to me, clearly is the most talented and NFL-ready back of all the backs in college. He is the clear cut No. 1 RB in the class IMHO.

No. No you won't. The information in that forum is as stale as Tony Kornheiser's bull crap jokes. I hate that guy, as an aside.

[CC]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.

CC - I really respect your opinion as you seem to have a wealth of knowledge about the college game. I was wondering:

-Out of that list, who will be the best pro's? Is it McFadden? Anyone else who might have a solid NFL career? Who would you compare McFadden to that is in the NFL now?

Thanks again

McFadden looks like he will be a really good one, his running game reminds me of Addai a bit, but he is a lot more versatile a back. McFadden is not quite the prospect Peterson or Bush was, but he is probably the 3rd best RB prospect we have seen in the last 5-7 years.

Jonathon Stewart is a great RB prospect that I have been hyping since he was a freshman and I think is a top 10 talent. Think a more physical Frank Gore.

Felix Jones is McFadden's backup but has over 1000 yards and is averaging more YPC than DMC this year, I think he will go back to school next year and get a chance to carry the load.

Mendenhall should be a nice NFL back and is having a great season at Illinois, he is debatable to come out this year, but he should be a late 1st kind of guy.

Ray Rice has been great at Rutgers and while I am not completely sold on him as an NFL workhorse, he has the potential, he does have a lot of mileage in college though.

Charles and Slaton are both speed backs that I see as guys that would be ideal in a RBBC.

James Davis has speed and power and will leave school because he is the 2nd best RB on his team (sophmore CJ Spiller will be a top 10 pick when he comes out) I like him a lot as a prospect.

Hart is a workhorse with great vision, great toughness, and who never goes down on the first hit. He is small and not a burner though, so he will not be a very high pick, he could continue to play well at the next level.

Torain is coming off an injury, so it remains to be seen how good he will be when he gets back.

Hope that helped.

[RocketsDWM]

Thanks

[The Lung]

McFadden, Stewart and Jones make up the upper tier and there's a big drop-off to the next tier ,imo. McFadden has been on everyone's radar for the past few years but Jonathan Stewart has been coming on REALLY strong and is arguably the better pro prospect. He's listed at 5'11" 230 lbs, runs with power, keeps his feet moving and can really move a pile.

Steve Slaton is highly overrated, imo. He's listed at 5'10" and 185 lbs. and while he can run circles around lame Big East defenders, I question his speed and durability in the NFL. He reminds me of a Michael Bennett who is quick but isn't going to get the tough yards. Slaton would likely only be effective in a RBBC teamed along with a bruising back.