2011's RB Class

[Kareighuis]

A rundown of a review of incoming RBs, listed as they appear here http://www.thehuddle.com/x11/nfl_draft/ ... ree_110308

Mark Ingram- no particular physical trait that stands out (4.62 40 at the Combine); has the vision, burst, balance and instincts to turn good physical gifts into greatness; willing blocker and adequate receiver; consistently productive against Alabama’s brutal SEC schedule; little reason to believe he won’t be a successful feature back in the NFL

Mikel LeShoure- built similarly to Mendenhall; doesn’t have top-end speed (4.59 40 at the Combine); quick feet- especially given his size- and a good burst to and through the hole; not afraid to throw a block; decent receiver; some transgressions from early in his college career- suffered a broken jaw in a fight with a teammate during his freshman season and suspended at the start of his sophomore season for violating team rules; all indications suggest he’s matured sufficiently

Ryan Williams- wildly successful redshirt freshman year and an injury-marred sophomore campaign; troublesome hamstring that hampered his 2010 season is really the only question facing Williams; instinctive runner with good burst and surprising inside power for his size (5-9, 212); style has drawn comparisons to DeAngelo Williams and Clinton Portis; durability is a question mark and there are also concerns about ball security; flashed good hands in limited receiving opportunities and is aggressive as a blocker

Kendall Hunter- two impressive seasons sandwiched a junior year marred by an ankle injury; still has a plate in his right ankle; at 5-7 and 199 pounds durability is clearly a concern; plays bigger than his size, running low to the ground a la Ray Rice with natural instincts, good vision, and the moves and burst to eat up yards in a hurry; little experience as a receiver and doesn’t block particularly well

Daniel Thomas- biggest feature back likely to hear his name called on draft day (6-0 and 230); played through a shoulder injury and held the respect of the locker room despite being a JUCO transfer, so scouts view his leadership as a plus; good feet for a big back, runs hard (though a bit upright for some scouts); isn’t going to run away from too many defensive backs; a natural receiver; blocking needs work; reminds some scouts of Michael Bush; between-the-tackles thumper; potential upside of a larger workload given the right situation

Jacquizz Rodgers- really small and not particularly fast; more than capable receiver; willing blocker, and obviously very shifty; checked in under 5-6 and ran a 4.64 40 at the combine- two great big red flags; could carve out a Dexter McCluster-type job

Jordan Todman- could get a shot at filling a Jamaal Charles-like role; hard runner, especially given he’s under 5-9 and 203 pounds; 4.40 40 combine demonstrates his straight-line speed; has the vision and burst to succeed in a zone-blocking system; limited experience as a receiver; can contribute right away in the return game

DeMarco Murray- could get a shot at filling a Jamaal Charles-like role; (consistent), productive runner; 4.41 40 at combine ranks him among the faster backs in this draft, but at 5-11 and 213 pounds he also has NFL size; durability concerns- knee, hamstring, and ankle injuries hampered in some fashion every year in college