
The NFL Draft is almost here. On April 26th and 27th at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, a new crop of young athletes will join the National Football League. There will also be some changes in place, as the draft will start at 3pm EST instead of noon. Only the first two rounds will be shown on Day One, with teams getting 10 minutes in the first round (previously 15) and seven minutes in the second (instead of 10). Overall, these changes should make for a more fan-friendly product.
And when it comes time to wager on the NFL Draft, be sure to check out
Bodog. Believe me, they‘ll have a ton of prop bets for your enjoyment.
TOP RUNNING BACKS IN THE 2008 NFL DRAFT
Whether you play fantasy football or your favorite team can’t move the chains to save their life, running backs are always an important commodity in the NFL. With that in mind, let’s take a look at five of the top running backs available in the 2008 NFL draft.
Darren McFadden
Playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, the 6’2”, 205 pound McFadden gained 1830 yards on 325 carries in 2007. He scored 16 touchdowns on the ground and chipped in with 21 receptions for 164 yards and 1 TD.
He won the Walter Camp Award as the nation’s best player, and he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy two straight years. Possessing speed and power, McFadden is expected to be the first running back taken in the draft. While some believe the Raiders might take him, many mock drafts are now projecting him to go to the New York Jets with the sixth overall pick.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, McFadden ran an unofficial forty-yard dash time of 4.27 seconds. His official time was 4.33, giving him the second-fastest time of any runner.
Clips of Darren McFadden in action.
Jonathan Stewart
The 5’11”, 230 pound Stewart played his college ball with the Oregon Ducks. He racked up 1722 yards on 280 carries for 11 touchdowns and added 22 receptions for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2007. The cousin of Kordell Stewart is a real beast, running a 4.4 and possessing tremendous power. While he’s got great moves, some scouts have wondered as to his straight line speed and ability to get around the corner.
Still, most agree that he’s second only to McFadden, and being a solid receiver and kick returner won’t hurt his draft stock. There's been a snag, however. An MRI recently confirmed that Stewart has suffered a big toe injury and needs surgery to repair it. This will put him on the shelf for 4 to 6 months. He might very well fall a little considering this news, and many are now projecting him to go to the Texans with the 18th overall pick.
Clips of Jonathan Stewart in action.
Rashard Mendenhall
Mendenhall is both elusive and strong. At 5’11” and 224 pounds, he excelled at pounding the ball for the Illinois Fighting Illini. In 2007, he gained 1681 yards on 262 carries for 17 touchdowns. He also showed off his hands by pulling down 34 receptions for 318 yards and 2 touchdowns.
After putting up a 40 time of 4.55, there are a few concerns about his speed, but he’s certainly a lock for the first round of the NFL draft. He is currently being projected to go to the Bears with the 14th overall, as his hard-nosed style would suit Da Bears. And God knows they need the help.
Clips of Rashard Mendenhall in action.
Felix “The Cat” Jones
Playing second-fiddle to Darren McFadden on the Razorbacks roster, the 6’, 200 pound Jones still managed to rack up 1162 yards on 133 carries for 11 touchdowns. He also grabbed 16 receptions for 176 yards. Known for his blazing speed, Jones will also help out some lucky team’s return game. Almost everyone thinks the Cowboys will take him with the 28th overall pick to replace the departing Julius Jones, but there’s just no telling what tricks Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has up his sleeve.
Clips of Felix Jones in action.
Ray Rice
The 5’9”, 205 pound Rice had a great 2007 season for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, gaining 2012 yards on 380 carries for 24 touchdowns. He also added 25 receptions for 239 yards and 1 TD. In his last college game, he broke a school record by rushing for 280 yards and four touchdowns, including a 90-yard scamper.
While he’s not the tallest guy around, he’s got the body weight to handle the load, and he should go high in the second round of the NFL Draft. Look for him to fill a Reggie Bush role for some lucky team.
Clips of Ray Rice in action.
KEEP AN EYE ON THESE RUNNERS
Here’s a short list of other runners you might want to keep your eye on come April 26th. Any one of these players could end up as a productive player in the NFL.
Kevin Smith (Central Florida)
Chris Johnson (East Carolina)
Matt Forte (Tulane)
Jamaal Charles (Texas)
Steve Slaton (West Virginia)
Cory Boyd (South Carolina)
Tashard Choice (Georgia Tech)
Jalen Parmele (Toledo)
Thomas Brown (Georgia)
Mike Hart (Michigan)
For more NFL articles, see the following:
NFL Free Agents - News and Rumors
NFL Odds from Bodog - Overall Team Records
2008 NFL Draft - The Running Backs