NFL Draft 2011: Ten Best NFL Running Back Draft Prospects

Mark Ingram is at the head of the running back class for the 2011 NFL Draft Class but are there going to be any surprises? Maybe the tiny Dion Lewis will move up or down the NFL Draft board or maybe a team in need of an explosive special teams player will jump on JaQuizz Rodgers earlier than expected. The following ten running backs are ranked before the NFL Combine results and NFL pro days that will also affect these final numbers.

No. 10. Dion Lewis: Pittsburgh Panthers

The diminutive speed demon from Pittsburgh is the 5'7" Dion Lewis. The small fire hydrant of a running back Lewis is an aggressive up and down runner that does not shy away from contact despite his size. Lewis is better served staying for a four year career with the Pittsburgh Panthers but he has made the decision to enter the NFL Draft with two college seasons under his belt. He will be drafted late in the third round and begin his NFL career on special teams.

No.9. Shane Vereen: California Golden Bears

Shane Vereen is also entering the NFL Draft as an underclassman. Vereen rushed for 1,167 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final season as a collegian on an average California Golden Bears team. Vereen is a big banger of a back but he is not explosive on first contact. He goes down too easy to be a Ricky Williams or Chris Johnson type back. He will fit in as a third option back used to spell the number two back. Vereen will be drafted fourth round of the NFL Draft.

No.8. Brandon Saine: Ohio State Buckeyes

Brandon Saine's stock dropped this year but he will rebound at the NFL Combine. Saine turned in a lackluster season in his senior year but there were mitigating circumstances. Saine was used in a limited basis this season but he did average 4.8 yards per carry.

NFL Draft experts will put him down the board but he already has caught the eye of several NFL scouts that are keeping it on the down low. Saine will be be taken in the third round of the NFL Draft and he will see limited action in his rookie NFL season.

No.7. JaQuizz Rodgers: Oregon State Beavers

JaQuizz Rodgers is the real deal out of Oregon State. He is explosive out of the back field and he can make moves if the open field. He will take time to adjust to the NFL speed but he is going to do well as a special teams addition and slot back in his rookie season. Look for JaQuizz Rodgers to be drafted in the second to early third round of the NFL Draft and he will see action in his rookie season.

No.6. Ryan Williams: Virginia Tech Hokies

Ryan Williams is another running back that watched his stock drop in his last college season. Williams ranks number three among the incoming running backs for the NFL Draft on Rivals.Yahoo.com but he has slipped behind a few of the bigger backs on this list. Williams is another big banging running back that loves to deliver punishment before the tackler arrives. Ryan Williams will be drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft.

No.5. Roy Helu Jr: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Many average college football fans may forget Roy Helu Jr because he did not have a big day in his final bowl game in San Diego. The NFL scouts and general managers still have him ranked high on their NFL Draft boards and there will be movement after the NFL Combine up or down.

Many NFL teams are gravitating towards these type of hard hitting running backs and there are many to chose from this NFL Draft. Roy Helu Jr will be drafted in the late second round of the NFL Draft.

No.4. Evan Royster: Penn State Nittany Lions

Evan Royster averaged 1.100 yards rushing for his last three college seasons and in the Penn State offense he ran behind some big offensive lines. Why is this important? He will be fresh to start his NFL career compared to other running backs that were forced to make yardage on their own.

Royster is strong off the ball and he does have that added burst in the open field that allows him to out run defensive backs or run over them. Royster will be drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft.

No.3. DeMarco Murray: Oklahoma Sooners

DeMarco Murray completed a distinguished career with the Oklahoma Sooners with another thousand yard season. Murray rushed for 15 touchdowns and 1,214 yards. The Las Vegas native Murray has been injury prone in his career but he will be healthy for the NFL Combine coming up in a matter of weeks.

Murray has made his case to be an early second round NFL Draft pick in his red shirt senior year. Murray has run with abandon and purpose and down the stretch his head coach Bob Stoops kept him fresh from their BCS bowl game against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Murray rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown in the 48-20 win. DeMarco Murray will be drafted early in the second round of the NFL Draft.

No.2. John Clay: Wisconsin Badgers

John Clay of Wisconsin saw little action in the regular season for the Wisconsin Badgers but he rumbled for 76 yards and a touchdown in the Rose Bowl. Clay showed the country in that game that he has what it takes to succeed at the next level for an NFL team.

Clay is a tough running back that gathers steam as the game moves into the fourth quarter. He will be an asset in his rookie season to any team that drafts him as either a lead back for a featured back or as a running back that pounds the defense late in games. John Clay will be drafted early second round of the NFL Draft.

No.1. Mark Ingram: Alabama Crimson Tide

Mark Ingram is a former Heisman Trophy winner and former national champion with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Ingram returned for another season with Alabama after winning the Heisman but he did not affect his NFL Draft value.

Ingram did not break 100 yards rushing in a game since September. Ingram also carried the ball 20 times or more twice all season. This is great news for NFL teams looking to draft the talented speedster. Ingram will show his talent at the NFL Combine and he will be the top running back in the NFL Draft.

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Statistical sources:

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www.espn.go.com

www.yahoosports.com