2010 NFL Draft: Top 10 Running Back Prospects

The 2010 running back class is unusually weak but teams will definitely be able to bolster their backfield in the later rounds by finding athletes that fit in their specific system. The need for multiple backs is as urgent as it’s ever been. Teams would rather have three good backs that fit in their system than one great back that shoulders the bulk of the load for financial and durability reasons.

1. CJ Spiller, Clemson (1st Round) - Spiller will be the first running back off the board because of his unique ability to affect the game in so many different ways. Whether it’s in the return game, the short pass attack or running between the tackles, Spiller can do it all and do it all really well. Spiller will make an immediate impact in the league because of his explosive athleticism.

2. Ryan Mathews, Fresno State (2nd Round) - Due to the depth at other positions of need for most NFL teams there will likely only be one running back taken in the first round. Mathews has enough talent to be a first round guy but it’s unclear whether any team drafting toward the bottom of the first round will have a need at the position. Mathews is a typical power back with the ability to get tough yards but can also break off some big gains.

3. Joe McKnight, USC (Late 2nd-Early 3rd Round) - McKnight is a poor man’s Spiller but has less miles on his legs. He is dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield but also showed the ability to run up the gut when necessary this season for the Trojans. McKnight could fall to a very good team in the middle-to-late second round and turn someone from a playoff hopeful to championship contender.

4. Toby Gerhart, Stanford (3rd Round) - Everybody will make the immediate comparison to Jon Riggins or Mike Alstott because Gerhart is a white athlete but he is more comparable to LenDale White or a smaller Brandon Jacobs, backs who can get the tough yards but also compile enough carries throughout the season to break the 1,000-yard mark.

5. Jahvid Best, California (3rd-4th Round) - He was probably the #1 back in this class before the season started but the inability to stay healthy has dropped Best’s stock drastically over the past six months. His game is tailored around getting to the edge and causing mismatches with slower linebackers but it’s all irrelevant if he can’t stay on the field.

6. Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss (4th Round) - He replaced Jevan Snead as the top offensive prospect coming out of Ole Miss this season after he put about 50 electric plays on tape for scouts to break down. He’s on the smaller side but can still be a problem for opposing defenses when it comes time to scheme against his future team.

7. Monterio Hardesty, Tennessee (4th Round) - Hardesty is another guy who helped himself out a ton this season. After Lane Kiffin couldn’t groom Jonathon Crompton into the quarterback everyone hoped he would become, the Vols offense revolved around Hardesty’s bruising style and his ability to carry the load week in and week out.

8. Jonathon Dwyer (4th Round) - It’s tough to judge a back that comes from an option offense but tams could do a lot worse in terms of value with a pick this late in the draft. Dwyer is a big athlete that should be able to fill in during short yardage situations at the very least.

9. Ben Tate, Auburn (5th Round) - Tate was part of a very good running back duo at Auburn but showed enough brilliance of his own to be considered one of the better backs in this year’s draft. He’s stout at 5′11″ 220lbs and will be a good change-of-pace back in the league.

10. LaGarrette Blount (5th Round) - He’s best known for the punch that he threw against Boise State in the season opener but Blount could be the next Brandon Jacobs if he capitalizes on his natural talent.