Wells, Moreno top list of RBs

Last year, eight of the first 10 running backs selected were underclassmen. That trend should play out again in April as the top six prospects on our board are either juniors or third-year sophomores.

Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno are all but locks to be selected in Round 1. Wells is the complete package physically, but durability issues and questions regarding his maturity and toughness have NFL teams measuring risk-and-reward. Moreno isn't as big or fast as Wells but he's a naturally gifted runner with excellent change-of-direction skills and versatility in addition to an infectious passion for the game.

LeSean McCoy could be selected in the bottom of the first round. He's the least polished of the group but his shifty running style, breakaway speed and reliable hands will be awfully attractive to a team like the Cardinals, who are in search of a complement to their existing power runners.

There's a falloff after Wells, Moreno and McCoy. However Shonn Greene, Donald Brown and Glen Coffee all show enough potential to emerge as significant contributors in the NFL. All three should be gone in the top 100 picks overall. Greene is a bulldozer of a runner but with limited wiggle. Brown isn't as big or strong as Greene but he's an instinctive runner with a superior center of gravity. Similarly, Coffee lacks ideal lower-body power but he is quick, shifty and big enough to make a dent in the NFL.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe