2011 NFL Draft - Top 3 RBs

The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top RBs

List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.

1. RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
-Williams is in my opinion the best pure runner eligible for this class. He has great power and doesn't hesitate one bit when hitting the hole. He shows great vision in allowing his offensive line to get set and if something isn't there he is great at waiting to find the smallest seam and taking advantage of it when it comes open. He also has the speed to turn the corner and break free down the sidelines. He isn't a Noel Devine but has more than enough speed to beat a linebacker and get to the corner quicker. He also has shown great ability out of the backfield at catching the ball. Overall it is certainly him and Mark Ingram battling for the top spot and would expect that battle to continue all season long. The one area that some don't like is the overall lack of major top end speed which keeps him from being a Adrian Peterson type runner but few have the size and speed combination, however there is no doubt Williams is a hard runner who should attract plenty of teams in April if he wishes to come out.

2. RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
-Like I said with regards to Ryan Williams, Mark Ingram is closely behind him for the top spot at running back. Ingram is an all around excellent running back. He might not have the same speed as Williams but is just as physical if not more. He hits the hole hard and like Williams is very patient allowing the offensive line to give him something to work with. He is outstanding as keeping his feet moving and not being taken down easily. I would say he is the best at this among running back prospects going into the year and he is extremely hard to bring down individually due to his feet always moving. He is a threat out of the backfield like Williams and can be used as a weapon on screens and as a check down. The main thing holding Ingram back from being a top five caliber runner is again the speed. He is a great guy at getting good chunks of yardage consistently but will have a hard time creating separation against NFL secondaries. Either way he is going to be taken highly come April much like Williams.

3. RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
-Thomas was another big riser on my board after looking at guys more closely and has separated himself in what is shaping up to be a rather weak running back class. Thomas went from a high third round grade to a high second round grade. I think he is as physical as either Williams or Ingram. He is a great between the tackles type of runner and is extremely physical taking on initial opponents. He does have good explosiveness and when he sees a hole open up he isn't hesitant in taking advantage of it. He keeps his feet moving when in traffic, which allows him to keep upright and not go down by a simple arm tackle. He does have adequate speed in getting to the corner against some linebackers, however when a quicker linebacker is matched up with him they are able to take away the corner more often than not. In addition he doesn't have the top end speed that Ingram or Williams has either which isn't elite by any stretch. However he is a very good all around back who isn't elite at any one area but is very good in pretty much every area which should make him attractive to potential suitors in next year's NFL draft.