Three Running Backs Highlight Draft Crop
One has a history of injuries. The other hasn't proven he can run between the tackles. The third left school a year early and has run into some trouble with the law in the last three months.
If there is a silver lining to all of this, it's that running back is the easiest position for a blue-chip player to step in and make immediate contributions.
"It's not as big an adjustment for the backs as it might be for the quarterbacks and the receivers," said Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the New York Giants. "Receivers and quarterbacks have to learn the details of the passing game.
"The backs just run."
That's not entirely true. Marty Schottenheimer was reluctant to use rookie running backs until they had a firm grasp of pass-blocking schemes. However, in terms of basic duties, most would agree that making a splash as a rookie is most common at running back.
"The natural instinct is to run the ball," Chargers president John Butler told Sports Illustrated. "There's a lot less to learn for a back than maybe some of the other positions."
One thing is certain: If a team uses a high pick on a back, it expects immediate productivity.
That said, Cleveland will likely have its choice of running backs with the No. 3 pick on Saturday. It must choose between Mississippi's Deuce McAllister, who -- when healthy -- is the best overall back in the draft; TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson, who led the nation in rushing last year despite the knock that he can't get tough yardage inside; and Wisconsin's Michael Bennett, whose character has been questioned by recent brushes with the law.
All three have the ability to make an impact, but on draft day, there's a fine line between, say, Curtis Ennis and Edgerrin James.
"It's a gamble," said Terry Bradway, the New York Jets director of football operations. "Every pick in the draft is a gamble."
Here are the top 10 running backs available in Saturday's NFL Draft:
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