2011 NFL Draft: Top 10 Running Backs

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 16, 2010

2011 NFL Draft: Top 10 Running Backs

Mark Ingram

Knee surgery performed in August slowed Mark Ingram at the start of his junior season but the reigning Heisman Trophy winner has since returned to dominant form.   He is a great combination of power on the inside, speed around tackle and instincts in his all around game.   Ingram is expected to enter the draft and is the only true feature back that will adorn draft boards.   1 st Round Prospect

DeMarco Murray

De Marco Murray is in the midst of a career year and grades as the top senior ball carrier in next April’s draft.   He possesses a terrific burst of speed, quickly gets through the running lanes then beats defenders into the open field.   He also shows a bit of elusiveness carrying the ball and is a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield.   Most importantly, Murray has not struggled with the nagging injuries that pestered him in the past.   1 st Round Prospect

Kendall Hunter

Kendall Hunter rebounded from an injury-plagued junior season and has put together a dominant final campaign for Oklahoma State.   He’s incredibly creative and makes several defenders miss over the course of a single run to pick up yardage when seemingly nothing is available.   Hunter lacks classic NFL size but has the skills necessary to be used as a rotational ball carrier or third down back.   1 st /2 nd Round Prospect

Daniel Thomas

Daniel Thomas is yet another senior from the Big 12 putting up career numbers this season.   He’s more of a straight-ahead ball carrier with terrific power.   Thomas lacks the versatility of the other backs yet can handle a lot of carries and will be an asset for an NFL team during short yardage situations.   2 nd /3 rd Round Prospect

Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams produced a dominant redshirt freshman season in 2009 but has struggled with inconsistency and injury this year.   He’s an explosive back at the top of his game and takes over contests with the ability to make defenders miss as he runs to daylight.   The belief in the scouting community is Williams will enter the 2011 draft.   2 nd /3 rd Round Prospect

Shane Vereen

Shane Vereen follows Jahvid Best as the next quality ball carrier to come from the Cal program.   The junior does not run with the same creativity as his predecessor but scouts agree Vereen is a much stronger interior ball carrier. 3 rd Round Prospect

Owen Marecic

Owen Marecic is the only fullback to grace this list.   He’s a triple threat player who produces as a blocker, ball carrier and pass catcher.   Marecic has also made a name for himself this season with his play at linebacker.   He’s an intense competitor who will draw praise from coaches during pre-draft interviews. 3 rd Round Prospect

Roy Helu

Roy Helu is on pace for a career year, helped in part by his record performance of 307 yards rushing against Missouri.   He’s a strong, north/south runner who pounds opponents on the inside.   Helu shows little in the way of elusiveness carrying the ball yet will do well at the next level for a ball control offense.   3 rd /4 th Round Prospect

Mikel Leshoure

Fighting Illini junior Mikel Leshoure has taken his game to another level this season and is reminding many of former Illinois star Rashard Mendenhall.   Leshoure is a powerful runner who can handle a lot of carries and take a pounding.   His style will suit any power running offense in the NFL.   3 rd /4 th Round Prospect

John Clay

John Clay, a junior, is another big-bodied ball carrier most effective running north/south.   He easily runs through tackles and is rarely brought down by just a single defender.   Clay does have limitations to his game and will only fit certain offensive systems in the NFL.   Clay, who’s already carried the ball more than 600-times in three seasons of college ball, is expected to enter the draft. 4 th Round Prospect