When it comes to the top running back prospect around...the case for CJ Spiller is almost unanimous
Written by: D. Wash
Running back, more than any other position on the football field, relies quite heavily on instincts of the player. Because of this, it tends to be an easier position to evaluate potential than the other skill positions as long as one doesn’t get sold on incredible measurables alone. This year’s draft has countless backs to be drafted, but if teams are looking for a complete, every down back, the options become limited. However, due to the “running back by committee” system that a lot of teams are beginning to run, some of the many short yardage specialists in this year’s draft will be able to find a home that suits them.
CJ Spiller
This kid has had undoubted pro potential from the day he stepped onto campus. Sub par teammates have hampered his production, but he is clearly still the most explosive back in the group. Spiller is great moving both north-south and east-west. Great potential as a return man and also has the ability to catch out of the backfield. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s always a home run threat. An extreme competitor, he always plays with emotion and will give 110% on the field. He does tend to dance a little bit in between the tackles. His vision is above average, but not superb. He won’t be able to run inside to often, but ability to make the most of the open field, talent as a receiving running back, and return man potential make him worth it. He won’t fall out of the mid 1st round.
Jahvid Best
Has all the tools to become a premiere running back in this league. Great vision and patience when going through holes. Can charge through a hole on an inside run, but needs to work on leg strength to be able to drive the pile. On outside runs, Best shows that he is able to accelerate to his top speed extremely quickly and that he can change directions quickly. He also has the ability to break arm tackles and use a good stiff arm to hold off defenders. He shows the willingness and ability to make plays, regardless of the cost to his body. Because of that, there will be scouts that worry that his playing style will cause him to get injured. If he works on his ability as a receiver and doesn’t get injured, he could be the best running back in the draft class (and easily a pro bowler).
Jonathan Dwyer
A bigger guy, Dwyer is extremely durable and hasn’t missed a game despite the Georgia Tech “run first, second, and third” offensive system. Unlike Best and Spiller, Dwyer shows the strength to run and make plays on the inside. Will bang into the hole and drive his shoulder into the first defender (who will rarely be able to bring him down). Unlike Spiller and Best, his “home run” play ability is limited. Dwyer’s speed is good for his size (5-11, 235), but it won’t be able to outrun NFL defensive backs. As a blocker, Dwyer has potential simply because of his size, but he needs to be convinced to give 100% on plays where he isn’t the feature. He also needs to improve is discipline, as he tends to get too heavy at times.
Ryan Mathews
Good size, but his speed does leave something to be desired. He can turn the corner and tends to play faster than he’s timed in a 40, but he won’t be able to outrun the superior athletes in the NFL. On inside runs, he is decisive, strong, and explosive. He’ll sprint through the hole and will be able to make short yard gains even if the hole seems to be stuffed (goal line situations are probably where he’ll make the most impact on a team). Still needs to learn how to block and how to work effectively as a receiver from the backfield. His vision is good, but he needs to be more patient at times, as he often will outrun his pulling guards which effectively takes a blocker out of the play. Most likely won’t be an every down back, but does show great potential for a 2 back system as the power back.
Dexter Mccluster
The first thing that scouts will notice about Mccluster, fairly or unfairly, is his size. At 5-7 163, it’ll be hard for Mccluster to convince teams that he can play on Sundays. There will be questions about his durability due to his size and teams will really need to think about him before they pick him up. His speed is incredible, the best out of all of the running backs available, which will be one of the big reasons teams will draft him. If he gets out into the open field, good luck catching him. Not only extremely fast north-south, he can also cut on a dime and break defenders ankle’s without breaking stride. His potential as a return man is undoubted, and teams that draft him will expect for him to make an impact on special teams almost immediately. If he proves that he can remain durable and can improve his hands, there is a place for Mccluster in the NFL as a scat back. If not, his return abilities will still make him worth drafting.
Joe McKnight
He was billed as Reggie Bush 2.0, but McKnight failed to live up to that expectation while he was at USC. Even then, it may be best to examine McKnight in comparison to the former Trojan and current Super Bowl champion. He’s slimmer than Bush, but with a higher center of gravity which makes him easier to tackle than the 2005 Heisman trophy winner. Like Bush, he shows elite quickness and good acceleration, but lacks the top speed to be a top home run threat in the NFL. There are injury questions, and you can bet that scouts will be looking carefully at every joint in his body to see if he’s gonna be durable in the NFL. Can make incredible moves east-west, but sometimes makes too many of him and gets tackled as a result. Good vision and seems to find cut back lanes more easily than other backs. When he’s in the open field, he’ll be difficult to tackle due to his quickness and overall ability to elude defenders. He can make a big impact in the passing game since he is a naturally crisp route runner and can make the tough catches. Won’t be a every down back, but will be a good change of pace guy if he can stay durable.
LaGarette Blount
There’s no doubt that there’s character and maturity questions about Blount and his infamous highlight reel sports a punch that would make Rampage Jackson proud. He also has questionable work ethic when it comes to offseason training. Despite that, Blount’s performance at the senior bowl showed something that a lot of the running backs in this class don’t have, the potential to be an every down back. He’s durable and will almost never miss a down due to an injury. His size is great and his speed at that size is good. He can make plays on inside runs and is too competitive to be taken down after the first hit. His ability to block and overall aggressiveness in pass protection is another thing that will make scouts look over the issues with his intangibles. Whether Blount even gets drafted will depend on how he well he interviews at the combine. If he acts mature and seems like he’s grown through his punishment, there is probably a place for him in this league as an every down back.
Montario Hardesty, Toby Gerhart, Ben Tate, Charles Scott
I group these guys together because, apart from the uniform, they are almost the same running back. All have good size and inside running ability. All are natural competitors and hard to take down after the first hit. All have good vision and ability to let the play develop. But all (with the possible exception of Tate) will be limited to just short yardage backs because they lack even above average speed and ability to make plays on the outside. It’s a tough break, but there’s not much that they can do about it, because at this point of a running backs career, getting faster is a lot like getting taller, it just won’t happen.
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