NFL Combine Update: Running Backs

by Andrew602 on Feb 24, 2009 2:03 PM MST in 2009 Draft Comment 4 comments

The NFL Combine ends today and the last of the bunch will be performing their drills. Running backs have already went and there is a general consensus that the Cardinals will draft one of them. But who will the Cardinals take?

Knowshon Moreno: Georgia, 5'11 - 207 lbs.

He is a realistic option for the Cardinals and his stock may have slipped in the draft. Moreno isn't know for having elite speed, and that may have showed at the combine as he only ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. In two seasons at Georgia, he gained 2,734 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also caught 53 passes for 704 yards and 2 TDs. Moreno is still set to be a first round pick and it wouldn't be bad if he fell to the Cardinals. He is a play maker and can improve the running game for any team immediately.

Combine Results:

Knowshon Moreno	40-Yard Dash	Bench Press	Vertical Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yard Shuttle	40-Yard Shuttle
Running Back	4.60	25	35.5	6.84	4.27	11.63

LeSean McCoy: Pittsburgh, 5'10 - 198 lbs.

Most mock drafts have the Cardinals taking running back LeSean McCoy out of Pittsburgh. McCoy was unable to perform any drills at the combine due to the flu virus, and actually lost 10 pounds as a result. McCoy spent two seasons at Pittsburgh and ran for 2,816 yards with 35 touchdowns. He was also on the end of several catches as he received 65 of them for 549 yards. McCoy doesn't have one specific quality but he is versatile because of his overall speed and strength. He wouldn't be the first McCoy drafted by the Cardinals because his older brother LeRon McCoy, was drafted by them a few years back.

2008 Stats:

		Rushing					Receiving
	G	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Y/G	Avg	TD
2008 - LeSean McCoy	13	308	1488	114.5	4.8	21	32	305	23.5	9.5	0

Beanie Wells: Ohio State, 6'1 - 235 lbs.

Another top running back prospect, Beanie Wells, was falling to the Cardinals in a lot of earlier mock drafts, before they had the 31st pick. At this point, he may be out of reach for the Cardinals as he probably won't fall that far in the first round. Like Moreno, he didn't perform his best during the combine. Wells possesses many elements of being a great back, but doesn't necessarily excel at a certain one. He has tremendous size but with quality speed. Wells only started 1 whole season at Ohio State but when he did, he gained 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Combine Results:

Beanie Wells	40-Yard Dash	Bench Press	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump
Running Back	4.59	25	33.5	10'8

Here are some other running backs to keep an eye out for when the draft starts in April. They may not be first round material but could be late round steals.

Player	Ian Johnson - Boise St. 5'10 - 199 lbs.	Cedric Peerman - Virginia 5'10 - 216 lbs.	Donald Brown - Connecticut 5'10 - 210 lbs.	Rashad Jennings - Liberty 6'1 - 232 lbs.	Gartrell Johnson - Colorado St. 5'10 - 219 lbs.
Analysis	Most remembered for proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend after a Fiesta Bowl win in '07. Johnson plays with a lot of heart, who is a speed runner that has nice hands.	Peerman didn't have great numbers in college but was a threat on kick return. He had an impressive combine leading all RBs at the 40, and being near the top at the vertical jump and bench press.	Brown is a dependable back that is capable threat of running up the middle or taking it to the outside. Brown is simply a workhorse and can carry the load for any team.	Jennings is a big downhill back. He is another workhorse that won't hesitate to run up the middle. He's fast for his size, and is very tough to bring down.	Johnson is a mammoth runner and is built like a truck. Even though Johnson will probably end up as a late round draft pick, he will be an effective running back in the NFL.
40-Yard Dash	4.46	4.45	4.51	4.64	4.71
Bench Press	26	27	----------------------	29	20
Vertical	---------------------	40.0	41.5	------------------------	---------------------
3-Cone Drill	6.93	-----------------------	6.93	6.86	---------------------
20-Yard Shuttle	4.18	4.29	4.10	4.20	---------------------
60-Yard Shuttle	11.63	-----------------------	11.30	11.46	---------------------
Broad Jump	---------------------	-----------------------	10'5	10'0	---------------------

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Comments

As a Virginia fan,

I’m quite familiar with Cedric Peerman. He’s no Thomas Jones or Tiki Barber, but he could be a steal in the draft. A semi-porous o-line and constantly having to play from behind didn’t do a whole lot for his stats, but he’s got the talent to be more than just a kick returner in the NFL.

by cfaddct on Feb 24, 2009 2:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

RB selection

I personally don’t like many of the top RBs like Wells and McCoy for various reasons. As good as they are they each have some flaws in their running style and the first round willl be too high to take one of them. Assuming that Whisenhunt loves the power run game like he says I think it will be a pick like Donald Brown or James Davis in the 2nd or 3rd round. Gartrell Johnson is amazing too if you have ever seen him. He has the power to break the line and pick up yards after contact. He ould fit in well with the Cards as a blocker and runner. He could be picked up later like in round 5.

by kj197728 on Feb 24, 2009 4:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I don't follow college ball and won't until the BCS is gone...

but I’m scoopin what your poopin. First round should not be wasted on a tailback unless it’s a really special player like AP. We can pick up quality at RB later in the rounds, a la T.H., and need to go after OL, DE depth with our first pick.

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Feb 25, 2009 10:44 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Brown

I’m been crushing on Brown for a while and 4.51 is only going to push that to a new level. Gotta love the kids wheels and look at the 20-yard shuttle times (that’s quickness). Plus he’s a freaking workhorse.

OLB in the first and Brown in the second.

by Bezekira on Feb 26, 2009 12:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs