The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward. Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft. If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see. For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud. We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the offensive skill positions. Today we’ll hit on the QB’s and RB’s and tomorrow we’ll look at WR’s and TE’s.
Running Backs
1. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina*
Height: 6-0 Weight: 218
Lattimore ended his sophomore season on a sour note with a knee injury but should be full go in 2012. He’s as skilled as any running back in the country and surefire first round pick if he enters the 2013 NFL Draft.
2. Knile Davis, Arkansas
Height: 6-0 Weight: 226
Davis tore up his knee before the 2011 season which was expected to be his final as a collegiate. Instead he will be back for a new look Arkansas team. Davis has the size, strength, and speed to warrant a first round selection next April.
3. Giovani Bernard, North Carolina**
Height: 5-10 Weight: 205
Bernard burst onto the national scene in 2011 as a redshirt freshman. This season he will be draft eligible and has the goods to to enter as a (RS) Sophomore.
4. Michael Dyer, Arkansas St.*
Height: 5-9 Weight: 210
The former Auburn star followed Gus Malzahn to Arkansas St. after running into some trouble. He was dynamic as a freshman and will look to get back on track during his junior campaign.
5. Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Height: 5-11 Weight: 212
Ball dominated the Big 10 last season and many expected him to turn pro following his record breaking junior season in Madison. Ball opted to return to Wisconsin for his senior season to prove he was worthy of a higher grade than the NFL Advisory Committee gave him in 2012.
6. Eddie Lacy, Alabama*
Height: 6-0 Weight: 220
It is becoming an annual right of passage for Nick Saban to put a back into the first round of the NFL Draft. Eddie Lacy was dominant in rare chances to spell the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Trent Richardson. I would fully expect Lacy to carry the load for Saban and churn out a dominant junior season.
7. Andre Ellington, Clemson
Height: 5-10 Weight: 190
Ellington is a flat out burner that doesn’t appear to like contact. He needs to add weight and proved the wares to run between the tackles this season. He’s dynamic enough to be considered among the top backs in this class if he can do so.
8. Joseph Randle, Oklahoma St.*
Height: 6-1 Weight: 194
Randle burst onto the scene as OSU’s Robin to Blackmon’s Batman. Randle catches the ball and has a special burst that should push him into the upper echelons of collegiate ball carriers. OSU will be without Blackmon and Weeden which may make Randle the feature of this pass happy offense.
9. Ray Graham, Pittsburgh
Height: 5-9 Weight: 195
Ray Graham was enjoying a terrific junior season until the dreaded knee injury put him down. If he’s fully recovered in 2012 he could be the next in line of NFL ready Pitt backs.
10. Cierre Wood, Notre Dame
Height: 6-0 Weight: 215
Wood is the workhorse of the ND backfield and should shoulder the load in 2012. The senior has split carries since stepping foot on campus as a top recruit. If he can follow up on an 1100 yard junior season he could be a interesting back in the 2013 NFL Draft.
