Scouts Inc. Top RB's

[|Tigers Johnson|]

Wells, Moreno top list of RBs
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McShay By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
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Todd McShay breaks down the durability risks, Day 2 diamonds in the rough, some big names who might not have big NFL futures and ranks the RBs and FBs invited to the NFL scouting combine. To see this and more, become an ESPN Insider. Insider

Last year, eight of the first 10 running backs selected were underclassmen. That trend should play out again in April as the top six prospects on our board are either juniors or third-year sophomores.

Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno are all but locks to be selected in Round 1. Wells is the complete package physically, but durability issues and questions regarding his maturity and toughness have NFL teams measuring risk-and-reward. Moreno isn't as big or fast as Wells but he's a naturally gifted runner with excellent change-of-direction skills and versatility in addition to an infectious passion for the game.

LeSean McCoy could be selected in the bottom of the first round. He's the least polished of the group but his shifty running style, breakaway speed and reliable hands will be awfully attractive to a team like the Cardinals, who are in search of a complement to their existing power runners.

There's a falloff after Wells, Moreno and McCoy. However Shonn Greene, Donald Brown and Glen Coffee all show enough potential to emerge as significant contributors in the NFL. All three should be gone in the top 100 picks overall. Greene is a bulldozer of a runner but with limited wiggle. Brown isn't as big or strong as Greene but he's an instinctive runner with a superior center of gravity. Similarly, Coffee lacks ideal lower-body power but he is quick, shifty and big enough to make a dent in the NFL.

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It's no secret that running backs take a pounding. The shelf life for NFL backs is short to begin with and NFL teams are extra wary of those with injury histories entering the league. There are a handful of "durability risks" in this year's crop of running backs who are certain to pay the price on draft weekend, including Wells, Coffee, Andre Brown, Jeremiah Johnson, Cedric Peerman, Marlon Lucky, P.J. Hill, Aaron Brown, Tyrell Sutton, Anthony Kimble, Brad Lester and Kahlil Bell.

Every draft has its Day 2 diamonds in the rough. This year's crop of second-day talent can be split up into a few different categories. The first group can be described as versatile playmakers capable of contributing as change-of-pace runners, pass-catchers and on special teams. The top of that list would include Johnson, Mike Goodson, Kory Sheets, Devin Moore, Aaron Brown, Sutton and Marcus Thigpen.

The second group consists of power backs capable of contributing in short-yardage and/or goal-line situations. Andre Brown, Arian Foster, Gartrell Johnson, Hill and Kimble are the pick of that litter.

The third group is made up of small-school prospects with seemingly high ceilings but enormous learning curves ahead of them. Rashad Jennings (Liberty), Javarris Williams (Tennessee State), and Bernard Scott (Abilene Christian) are the three names to know.

Finally, Javon Ringer, James Davis, Lucky, Peerman and Ian Johnson headline the fourth group, which is comprised of big-name college backs who will struggle to meet expectations in the NFL.

Ranking the RBs/FBs at the NFL scouting combine
Player Pos. School Ht. Wt. Grade
1. Knowshon Moreno* RB Georgia 6-10¾ 207 93
2. Chris Wells* RB Ohio State 6-1 235 92
3. LeSean McCoy* RB Pittsburgh 5-11 205 90
4. Shonn Greene* RB Iowa 5-11 235 83
5. Donald Brown* RB Connecticut 5-11 210 79
6. Glen Coffee* RB Alabama 6-1 204 74
7. Andre Brown RB NC State 6-0¼ 224 69
8. Javon Ringer RB Michigan State 5-9 202 68
9. James Davis RB Clemson 5-10¾ 207 66
10. Rashad Jennings RB Liberty 6-1 234 64
11. Jeremiah Johnson RB Oregon 5-8¾ 198 61
12. Mike Goodson* RB Texas A&M 6-0 210 60
13. Arian Foster RB Tennessee 6-0½ 232 59
14. Kory Sheets RB Purdue 5-11⅛ 206 57
15. Tony Fiammetta FB Syracuse 5-11⅞ 246 54
16. Javarris Williams RB Tennessee State 5-9¾ 220 54
17. Gartrell Johnson RB Colorado State 5-10⅜ 222 50
18. Marlon Lucky RB Nebraska 5-11¼ 215 49
19. Cedric Peerman RB Virginia 5-11⅝ 208 48
20. Eric Kettani FB Navy 5-11⅝ 231 47
21. Brannan Southerland FB Georgia 5-11⅞ 247 42
22. P.J. Hill* RB Wisconsin 5-10½ 220 42
23. Quinn Johnson FB LSU 6-0¾ 251 40
24. Tyrell Sutton RB Northwestern 5-8 190 38
25. Bernard Scott RB Abilene Christian 6-4 197 35
26. Branden Ore RB West Liberty State 5-11⅛ 209 32
27. Marcus Mailei FB Weber State 5-11⅝ 255 31
28. Anthony Kimble RB Stanford 6-0¼ 211 31
29. Jason Cook FB Mississippi 5-11 242 30
30. Ian Johnson RB Boise State 5-11⅛ 204 30
31. Kahlil Bell RB UCLA 6-4 216 30
32. Chris Ogbonnaya RB Texas 6-0 220 30

[|kennethmw|]

I know a lot of the pundits don't give him respect, but I think Ringer is going to be a load in the NFL. I'm probably a homer on this, but I've watched this kid for the last 8 years (HS and college) and he is just 100% all the time. He's not the fastest back, but I bet he's the strongest. He'll probably bench press with the LB's numbers wise. He's a good reciever out of the backfield and he's a good blocker. Somebody is going to pick up a really good RB in this draft.

[Bengals1181]

Mayock yesterday said to look out for Mike Goodson from Texas A&M