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Top 2009 runningback prospects?

C

Carr Bombed

Hall of Fame
Unless another glaring need develops I really see Houston spending a first rounder on a RB. I know everybody says Denver (and Smithiak) does not spend first rounders on RBs......but after this season (unless Slaton just busts the hell out and rushes for like 1,000+ yards) I really see Houston just going ahead and drafting a RB in round 1 (round 2 at the latest) and then being done with it.

So my question is to the draft/college guru's on this site.... Who are the top running back prospects that will be available for next years draft and what kind've game do they have? Who are the best "every down" (not scat) backs?
 
Carr Bombed said:
Unless another glaring need develops I really see Houston spending a first rounder on a RB. I know everybody says Denver (and Smithiak) does not spend first rounders on RBs......but after this season (unless Slaton just busts the hell out and rushes for like 1,000+ yards) I really see Houston just going ahead and drafting a RB in round 1 (round 2 at the latest) and then being done with it.

So my question is to the draft/college guru's on this site.... Who are the top running back prospects that will be available for next years draft and what kind've game do they have? Who are the best "every down" (not scat) backs?
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it depends on what underclassman declare for the 09 draft. strictly speaking only senior backs, I have yet to be convinced one will warrent selection when the Texans draft in the 1st rd. which means look for their 2nd rd. pick to be a bigger, feature back type who slips down to them. one I can think of stright off the top of my head is SEC Tennessee RB Arian Foster, already a preseason candidate for the 2008 Maxwell Award. @ 6-1 220lbs woiuld be a nice compliment to Slayton.

272299.jpg
 
Great thread. I like where beerlover is going with this. We've got Slaton, so assuming he works out... we need a different kind of RB. Popular term is Thunder and Lightening... well we need a Thunder.

I like Arian Foster (Tennessee) and James Davis (5-11, 210 lbs Clemson) so far the best, this early in the season. Not sure they would warrant our 1st round selection unless we have a GREAT record and advance to the playoffs. (sorry for the picture aggie fans)

jamesdavis3.jpg


I see them as more of 2nd round type of guys because the don't have the 4.3 speed. Both both should do well in our offense, have good size, are decisive and can pound the football.

I can see us using our 1st rounder on a DE or one of the stud Safeties, and then following up in the 2nd round with a RB.

I also don't think 1st round RB is out of the question. The Kubiak doesn't draft RB's in the 1st round bit is overplayed and misleading. We've discussed the topic in length before so I'm not going to get into it. I think this thread is perfect just to look at the talent out there and who would be a good fit- regardless of what round we think they go in.

During the '07 draft we thought Slaton would be a 1st rounder for '08. If we just decided not to watch him because "we don't draft them in the 1st myth" we would have missed out and not known much about him going into the 3rd round. Let's look at the talent and skill set right now and not focus on Rounds.
 
Uuuuum, can anyone say Beanie Wells??? I think he would be just perfect.

Knoshawn Moreno would be one nice weapon to have.
 
Texecutioner said:
Uuuuum, can anyone say Beanie Wells??? I think he would be just perfect.

Knoshawn Moreno would be one nice weapon to have.
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Chris Wells, 6-1 237 is a Jr. @ Ohio State if thats who you mean? If he comes out early & is still on the board in the 20's (projecting the Texans to have a winning season) then heck yeah :thisbig:

Same thing with Moreno, 5-11 208 (redshirted in 06) but he is more like Steve Slayton so if he where still on the board (doubtfull) maybe Rick Smith could trade down with a team who wants him & pick up extra picks?
 
beerlover said:
Chris Wells, 6-1 237 is a Jr. @ Ohio State if thats who you mean? If he comes out early & is still on the board in the 20's (projecting the Texans to have a winning season) then heck yeah :thisbig:

Same thing with Moreno, 5-11 208 (redshirted in 06) but he is more like Steve Slayton so if he where still on the board (doubtfull) maybe Rick Smith could trade down with a team who wants him & pick up extra picks?
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I would be really surprised if Chris (Beenie) Wells stays an extra year. He is going to be waaaayy to coveted by many teams. He is the total package as well and a guy that could be really good right away.

Moreno is really nice though. He is much better than Slaton. I hear what you're saying though. If Slaton has the kind of year that many of us hope, then the Texans would need more of a pound runner rather than a scat back kind of guy. Moreno is just flat out awsome though!

A lot of the backs this year in college though are only Juniors or sophmores though.
 
1) Chris Wells, Ohio St*
2) Knowshon Moreno, Uga**
3) LeSean McCoy, Pitt**
4) James Davis, Clemson
5) Arian Foster, Tennessee
6) CJ Spiller, Clemson
7) Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
8) Javon Ringer, Michigan St
9) Ian Johnson, Boise St
10) Keegan Herring, Arizona St
SLEEPER: Kahlil Bell, UCLA

As much as I would love to land any of the top 3, I know that's a dream. Davis would be a perfect fit and would compliment Slaton well, but with another good season I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't last until round 2. Arian Foster would also be a good compliment RB with his more physical style of play. It also doesn't hurt that he can break off some big runs as well. However, the RB I really want out of those is Marlon Lucky. Good vision, solid measurables, and a dual threat RB (1,000 yards rushing and 700 receiving last season).
 
LORK 88 said:
1) Chris Wells, Ohio St*
2) Knowshon Moreno, Uga**
3) LeSean McCoy, Pitt**
4) James Davis, Clemson
5) Arian Foster, Tennessee
6) CJ Spiller, Clemson
7) Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
8) Javon Ringer, Michigan St
9) Ian Johnson, Boise St
10) Keegan Herring, Arizona St
SLEEPER: Kahlil Bell, UCLA

As much as I would love to land any of the top 3, I know that's a dream. Davis would be a perfect fit and would compliment Slaton well, but with another good season I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't last until round 2. Arian Foster would also be a good compliment RB with his more physical style of play. It also doesn't hurt that he can break off some big runs as well. However, the RB I really want out of those is Marlon Lucky. Good vision, solid measurables, and a dual threat RB (1,000 yards rushing and 700 receiving last season).
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don't the Texans already have a back from Nebraska? :voodoo:

In other breaking news......James Davis is a 1st rd. back. could be high on the Texans draft board come April 09.
 
beerlover said:
don't the Texans already have a back from Nebraska? :voodoo:

In other breaking news......James Davis is a 1st rd. back. could be high on the Texans draft board come April 09.
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This one doesn't break down every other rushing attempt and isn't old by NFL standards. :thumbup
 
I really don't want to get ahead of ourselves but I truthfully still expect us to be around 8-8 and picking towards the middle. If Smith can work his magic again to get us moving back 8 spots and picking up another 3rd and 6th.... late 1st round seems to be a great spot to pick up some really quality RB's (too early to tell with any of these guys but I'm just assuming).
 
The rule is

A player has to have been in college for 3 years to qualify for the NFL draft.

Redshirt sophs will qualify after this season.
 
My favorites in order are

1. McCoy
2. Wells
3.Davis
4. Foster
5. Lucky

Backs that I hope come out early & add depth to the draft are Murray & Goodson

Sleeper pick Kevin Grady he was a stud 2 Michigan before he tore his ACL & got stuck behind Mike Hart.

We should be able to find able to find a power back to compliment Slaton in the 3rd round.
 
I'll be looking for the Texans to pick up Branden Ore as an UDFA rookie out of West Liberty St. in W. Va.

Hopefully, Duane Brown and Adibi will put in some nice words to our scouts.
The guy knows all about running in the ZBS.

He's now listed by the school at 5-11, 215 lbs

Can be a nice compliment to Slaton, and another steal !?!

BIO:
"Has grown into a complete player who has the opportunity to become one of the premier running backs in the country ... Blends speed, strength and toughness with great vision ... Can catch the ball out of the backfield and has worked hard to improve his blocking ... Was the leading rusher in the ACC last fall until suffering a high ankle sprain on his second carry at Wake Forest ... Missed the Virginia game, but still earned first-team All-ACC honors at tailback and finished the season ranked second in rushing and first in both scoring and all-purpose yards ... Named the state's top offensive back by the Richmond Touchdown Club ... Earned honorable mention All-America honors from SI.com ... Became the first Virginia Tech player to post two 200-yard rushing performances - in a season, in a career, in a row ... Accomplished the feat in back-to-back games - five days apart - against Southern Miss and Clemson ."
 
Not that we'll be picking high enough to land him, but I want nothing at all to do with Wells. Nothing.

I've taken a pre-season liking to Lucky, so we'll see if he can stay healthy the whole year.
 
rmartin65 said:
You have said that before. Why? I see nothing not to like, he has size, speed, and uses his blocks fairly well.
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Just a gut feeling. I don't think he is quick enough behind the line. He may change my mind as I watch more of him this year. Honestly, I only watched a little bit of OSU offense last year, but I just don't project him to be anything more than an average NFL RB at this point.
 
- Chris Wells
- Knowshon Moreno
- C.J. Spiller
- James Davis
- Arian Foster
- Javon Ringer
- Javarris James
- Devin Moore
- P.J. Hill
- Ian Johnson

not in that order
 
LORK 88 said:
1) Chris Wells, Ohio St*
2) Knowshon Moreno, Uga**
3) LeSean McCoy, Pitt**
4) James Davis, Clemson
5) Arian Foster, Tennessee
6) CJ Spiller, Clemson
7) Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
8) Javon Ringer, Michigan St
9) Ian Johnson, Boise St
10) Keegan Herring, Arizona St
SLEEPER: Kahlil Bell, UCLA

As much as I would love to land any of the top 3, I know that's a dream. Davis would be a perfect fit and would compliment Slaton well, but with another good season I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't last until round 2. Arian Foster would also be a good compliment RB with his more physical style of play. It also doesn't hurt that he can break off some big runs as well. However, the RB I really want out of those is Marlon Lucky. Good vision, solid measurables, and a dual threat RB (1,000 yards rushing and 700 receiving last season).
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Although I haven't heard much about any of them, I believe we could select at least one of the three RB's if we wanted one bad enough in the first... or are they all Peterson type of backs? Runningback is normally not a position I expect to have alot of first rounders taken in a draft.
 
JCTexan said:
Although I haven't heard much about any of them, I believe we could select at least one of the three RB's if we wanted one bad enough in the first... or are they all Peterson type of backs? Runningback is normally not a position I expect to have alot of first rounders taken in a draft.
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Wells and Moreno are first round quality, as is Murray from Oklahoma. James Davis could sneak into the bottom of the first
 
i really hope chris taylor does well, he was on my football team when i was in the 5th grade. i remember the coach getting on to him for always doing a spin move and going in head first.i played the bench!
 
76Texan said:
I'll be looking for the Texans to pick up Branden Ore as an UDFA rookie out of West Liberty St. in W. Va.

Hopefully, Duane Brown and Adibi will put in some nice words to our scouts.
The guy knows all about running in the ZBS.

He's now listed by the school at 5-11, 215 lbs

Can be a nice compliment to Slaton, and another steal !?!

BIO:
"Has grown into a complete player who has the opportunity to become one of the premier running backs in the country ... Blends speed, strength and toughness with great vision ... Can catch the ball out of the backfield and has worked hard to improve his blocking ... Was the leading rusher in the ACC last fall until suffering a high ankle sprain on his second carry at Wake Forest ... Missed the Virginia game, but still earned first-team All-ACC honors at tailback and finished the season ranked second in rushing and first in both scoring and all-purpose yards ... Named the state's top offensive back by the Richmond Touchdown Club ... Earned honorable mention All-America honors from SI.com ... Became the first Virginia Tech player to post two 200-yard rushing performances - in a season, in a career, in a row ... Accomplished the feat in back-to-back games - five days apart - against Southern Miss and Clemson ."
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Ore is one of the top Small school backs this year.

Other good guys to compliment Slaton would be
Rashad Jennings, Liberty, 6'1" 232 lbs
Herb Donaldson, Western Illinois, 5'10" 222 lbs
Tyler Roehl, North Dakota State, 5'10" 228 lbs (FB/HB)

All these guys are PFA's right now
 
The only way we'll be looking for a RB high in the draft, late first, early second, Chris Taylor & Darius Walker would have to be complete failures. If Slaton is the playmaker we want, and Chris Taylor is consistent, and solid, we won't be looking for offense.

Never the less, this is a good thread, nice to see who you guys are looking at.
 
WesmanTexanfan said:
another late round steal in JAVORSKI LANE!!!

Im not a big fan but i wouldnt mind the combo of he and slaton....
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Lane has FB written all over him.

I played against him in high school & he was a beast. But it looks like he gets a little bit less explosive every year. Probably due to all the hits he takes to his lower body.

He has the tools to play in the NFL, but not as a HB, not in my opinion anyway.
 
bah007 said:
Lane has FB written all over him.

I played against him in high school & he was a beast. But it looks like he gets a little bit less explosive every year. Probably due to all the hits he takes to his lower body.

He has the tools to play in the NFL, but not as a HB, not in my opinion anyway.
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That makes sense, i just like his size and attitude.

On a side note he went to A&M because Texas wanted him at FB and he wanted to be a HB, and know A&M is playing him at FB, LOL....
 
WesmanTexanfan said:
That makes sense, i just like his size and attitude.

On a side note he went to A&M because Texas wanted him at FB and he wanted to be a HB, and know A&M is playing him at FB, LOL....
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He technically plays FB for them but he gets HB carries with the ball. To be honest I haven't seen his blocking skills as a FB. I'm pretty sure someone will pick him up though in the mid rounds. I know early on he's a big guy but had the feet of Bettis. There's lots of beer drank in C.S. looks like he can kill a keg by himself.
 
WesmanTexanfan said:
That makes sense, i just like his size and attitude.

On a side note he went to A&M because Texas wanted him at FB and he wanted to be a HB, and know A&M is playing him at FB, LOL....
Click to expand...

Agree with you there.

The guy is huge. And he is ferocious when he has the ball.

Hopefully for the Aggies, he takes the same attitude as a lead blocker this year.
 
Goldensilence said:
He technically plays FB for them but he gets HB carries with the ball. To be honest I haven't seen his blocking skills as a FB. I'm pretty sure someone will pick him up though in the mid rounds. I know early on he's a big guy but had the feet of Bettis. There's lots of beer drank in C.S. looks like he can kill a keg by himself.
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Lane won't be getting as much carries as he has in past years.

The Aggies are moving from a spread offense to a more conventional one (still gonna be some spread though).

In the past, he would split time with Goodson at HB, but now Goodson will be lined up at HB & Lane at FB.

I think Bradley Stephens will be sharing the carries with Goodson this year, but of course Lane will get a few also.
 
I will go out on a limb and predict if our backs (whoever they may be) can avg 4 yards a carry, we will not pick an RB in top 3 rounds. I think our first two will be Cb and safety. Laugh at me or not, DE will be a high draft selection also. If Weaver makes it thru this year, he will be gone next. Colvin? I was high on the guy but he has shown nothing. He is a long shot to me.
 
badboy said:
I will go out on a limb and predict if our backs (whoever they may be) can avg 4 yards a carry, we will not pick an RB in top 3 rounds. I think our first two will be Cb and safety. Laugh at me or not, DE will be a high draft selection also. If Weaver makes it thru this year, he will be gone next. Colvin? I was high on the guy but he has shown nothing. He is a long shot to me.
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DE is moving higher and higher on my list dayly and there should be some good ones to choose from come April. Safety is at the top of my list too.

I think a stud DE and a stud RB will be most effective for our team (at this time).
 
I really liked what I saw tonight from Tennssee RB Arian Foster. solid 2nd rd. pick which I think falls right in line with the Texans needs after speed RDE in 1st.

Great footwork, downhill runner who instinctively hits the hole with nice combination of power & speed. As stated back on page one of this thread excellent compliment to Slayton. He was stripped of the ball down in the red zone as he was gang tackled but nothing that can't be corrected. 13 carries for 96 yards, 7.4 avg. @ 6-1 216 had good NFL size.
 
beerlover said:
I really liked what I saw tonight from Tennssee RB Arian Foster. solid 2nd rd. pick which I think falls right in line with the Texans needs after speed RDE in 1st.

Great footwork, downhill runner who instinctively hits the hole with nice combination of power & speed. As stated back on page one of this thread excellent compliment to Slayton. He was stripped of the ball down in the red zone as he was gang tackled but nothing that can't be corrected. 13 carries for 96 yards, 7.4 avg. @ 6-1 216 had good NFL size.
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He is gonna pass Travis Henry as the Vols all time leading rusher this season.
 
I was also impressed with Ryan Mathews of Fresno St.

He ran with a purpose against Rutgers in the 2nd half.

Showed good burst & definitely a lot of tackle-breaking ability.
 
beerlover said:
I really liked what I saw tonight from Tennssee RB Arian Foster. solid 2nd rd. pick which I think falls right in line with the Texans needs after speed RDE in 1st.

Great footwork, downhill runner who instinctively hits the hole with nice combination of power & speed. As stated back on page one of this thread excellent compliment to Slayton. He was stripped of the ball down in the red zone as he was gang tackled but nothing that can't be corrected. 13 carries for 96 yards, 7.4 avg. @ 6-1 216 had good NFL size.
Click to expand...

I'll reserve final judgement for now as I think some of that success was due to it being UCLA he ran against. I usually judge SEC backs based upon SEC competition.
 
bah007 said:
I was also impressed with Ryan Mathews of Fresno St.

He ran with a purpose against Rutgers in the 2nd half.

Showed good burst & definitely a lot of tackle-breaking ability.
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that makes two of us....sometimes it's a function of a superior line just out manning a weaker defensive line. One thing about Fresno St. Well two...once bitten twice shy....and you won't have to worry about the level of competition.

If Mathews is still posting his five point five after turkey day...I'll swallow the hook and be sold. Great balance, field vision and a very nice combo of speed and power...think Kevin Smith with moves. He'd be perfect for this system. We'll see what he does vs Wisconsin this weekend. He made one run where the o-line got a push in a stretch play to the left, hole opened to the right with a kick out block by the FB on the right end and he was out the gate. The way he pressed the hole to the left, the patience tells me he knows what he is doing. One cut and go. Made some very nice open field moves on the second level once he made the second level. Just one game we'll see.

He's rotating with three other guys....and we don't know if he can block. There's a reason he's still rotating...and I haven't seen him catch a ball yet. Both of those things would be killers in terms of whether or not we took the sophomore.


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/others/0-1-8/Mathews-carries-Fresno-State-s-offense.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teams/schedule?teamId=278
 
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Ole Miss Texan said:
DE is moving higher and higher on my list daily and there should be some good ones to choose from come April. Safety is at the top of my list too.

I think a stud DE and a stud RB will be most effective for our team (at this time).
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I'll believe safety in the first round when I see it. I don't recall the Illinois guys name he bounced off of....but the body block attempted tackles by William Moore will do nothing but get the guy bumped down the boards. Athlete yes. Tackler no. pi$$ poor effort on that one.


Found him :
. Arrelious Benn, Illinois - 6-2, 214, SO .... 2007 Statistics: 54 receptions, 676 yards (12.5 ypr), 2 TD

The guy is a robust 214. Solid .
 
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threetoedpete said:
I'll believe safety in the first round when I see it. I don't recall the Illinois guys name he bounced off of....but the body block attempted tackles by William Moore will do nothing but get the guy bumped down the boards. Athlete yes. Tackler no. pi$$ poor effort on that one.
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Hooray for Mizzu bashing. Carry on. :user: :cowboy1:
 
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