NFL Running Backs

This draft is not very deep for running backs, but a goodone can be an impact player that can turn a team around in a hurry.The Super Bowl champion Patriots were in need of a running back,but they were so unimpressed with the choices in this draft thatthey signed Corey Dillon from the Bengals.

Kevin Jones RB from Virginia Tech is ranked as the second bestRB in draft but one slow workout may have hurt his stock. He hada 5.6 yd/carry avg and 3475 yds despite sharing time at RB untillast season. Last year he rushed for 1,495 yards, had a 5.6 yardaverage and scored 20 TD's. His father is a highschool strengthcoach for football. Some say he is the best RB in the draft. Asleeper pick at a lower round is Tatum Bell from Oklahoma Statewho had a 4.34 time in the 40. Chris Perry of Michigan is anotherpossibility as he was productive if not fast. He could be a "boomor bust" type player. Greg Jones from Florida State is powerfulbut had injury problems and did not have a really fast time inthe 40 yard dash. Stephen Jackson from Oregon St. is best prospect.

Jacksonis fast as hell (4.3 in the 40) and powerful too. He explodesfrom the line and is so big he is hard to bring down. He is ahorse! He is like a younger and faster Stephen Davis. Supposedly,Denver will draft Jackson and he will become their next greatrunning back in the mold of Terrell Davis. Kevin Jones could be agamble. He could end up being a solid back or a mediocre player.Dallas Cowboy coach Bill Parcells wants a running back but theymay decide to trade down and find a guy with extra picks in thelower rounds. A lot has to do with how these guys worked out w/the Cowboys in private. The Cowboys only have 5 picks in thisdraft and have numerous holes to fill. All of their NFL East competitorshave upgraded in the offseason. The Redskins got RB Clinton Portisfrom Denver. I have a hunch that Dallas will trade down and takeTatum Bell from Oklahoma St. They really need extra picks. Tradingdown and getting more players can sometimes be the best way to upgradea team through the draft.

A lot of great RB's have been found in later rounds. People may not remember, but Priest Holmes was a 4th round pick and he didn't even start most of the time at Texas. He played behind Rickey Williams. Now, Holmes is the # 1 RB in the NFL. He played for Baltimore before leaving there and then became a monster for the Chiefs. Last year, the Houston Texans drafted Domanick Davis in the 4th round. He didn't even start at LSU. Due to some injuries to other players, Davis got his shot and rushed for 1,030 yards in his rookie season with Houston.

The thing about the NFL is that a lot of good players in College won't pan out and a lot of players that may have been fair might turn into solid Pros. It is a whole different level and in many respects it ceases to be fun for a lot of players. It is a brutal game and they have to give plenty to want to play at such a level. Some talented players don't have the will to do that. Others blossom late in their skills and adapt to the game, and are able to make a career of it, even though they are not great athletes.

After the draft, there will be a second round of free agency in June that will be interesting. Some good players will be moving on to other teams for salary cap reasons. More trades will be made then as well. Many of the teams who went overboard on free agents could end up as salary cap casualties later on. Building through the draft is still the best way to turn around a team and get to the Super Bowl. It will be interesting to see who emerges from the NFL Draft as the next impact player. It could be a player that wasn't highly touted.