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Seahawks eye draft-worthy running backs

By Mike Kahn

Seahawks Insider

There really are a lot of variables that go into figuring out how a special running back in college will make the transition to the NFL.

It’s not just about size, speed and hands. Like every other position, there are innate qualities that can set guys apart, while if you’re looking closely, all the good ones do have some specific traits.

“There are different kinds because of size and speed,” Seahawks vice president of player personnel Ruston Webster said. “But the key on halfbacks is their vision, their feet, their balance and the ability to run after contact.”

That synopsis is succinct and reflective of the mandatory skills they look for in every back. There is more, of course, particularly in the group available in this year’s NFL Draft. When the 32 teams finally make their decisions on running backs and other positions on April 26-27, there will be no shortage of high quality running backs.

As many as four running backs could be selected in the first round and four more over the next two rounds, considering how blessed some of these guys are with speed, strength, and instincts. The general consensus has Arkansas’ Darren McFadden going in the top 10, with Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois, Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart and possibly McFadden’s teammate Felix Jones also a possibility in the opening round.

“Some guys in college football can get by just on speed and acceleration,” Webster said. “Maybe some are more straight line. Some may just have great vision – the ability to see the holes and the quickness to get through them. A lot of them have the ability to make a guy miss.

“All those things are really important. But the ability to lower the shoulder and run after contract … it’s really tough for a guy to make it in the NFL if he can’t break tackles. With the size, speed and strength of the guys on defense in the NFL, you find out pretty quickly.”

At the Combine in Indianapolis in February, the impressions made were huge. And there was no lack of confidence either. McFadden, in particular, blew everybody away with his size, speed and strength. He has no doubt in his own mind that he can be this year’s version of 2007 rookie of the year Adrian Peterson.

When asked if he was the best player in the draft, he didn’t hesitate to respond.

“I feel like I am the best player in the draft,” McFadden said. “I can do a lot of different things. I feel like I'm a very versatile player. I can go out there and line up at receiver, I can line up in the backfield and block, line up back there and run, I can throw a pass if you need me to. But like if I had to, I could play defense.”

It’s doubtful anyone will ask him to play defense, but his point was well taken. Mendenhall is considerably shorter, thicker and not quite as fast. Nonetheless, he is expected to go in the top 15. He fits the criteria of strength, hands, quickness and the ability to break tackles.

With as many as 10 guys displaying varying degrees of that skill set, there are particulars that set them apart.

“I definitely feel like it’s a very good group of running backs, especially with a lot of the junior class coming out,” said Mendenhall, one of those juniors. “As to where I fit in, I definitely feel like I am up toward the top. I feel like I am a complete back--a guy that can make you miss and a guy that can take it the distance as well – a big guy and a third-down back - and that’s why I feel like I am towards the top as a player.”

Stewart is comparable in size and speed to Mendenhall, but had surgery recently to relieve “turf toe.” To his credit, he has spent the last couple of weeks out and about, reportedly talking to teams and assuring them that he is healing quickly and will be ready for training camp.

But the talent of this draft hardly stops with him or McFadden’s sidekick Jones. The next group is also held in high regard, with exceptional speed coming from the likes of Jamaal Charles from Texas and East Carolina’s Chris Jones. There are a handful of sub-5-foot-10 backs – Rutgers’ Ray Rice, West Virginia’s Steve Slaton and Michigan’s Mike Hart – who figure to land somewhere with an impact as well. And that’s not to ignore a couple of taller backs such as Matt Forte from Tulane and Central Florida’s Kevin Smith.

Essentially, there seems to be a back for every taste and desire in this group. As is the case for every other position, though, it comes down to where these guys fit on the draft board overall, a particular team’s need and when they’d like to pull the trigger on a particular player.

“There are a lot of guys in this draft that can do different things,” Webster said. “But just like every other draft, it depends what you’re looking for and where you think they’re going to fall in the draft.”

Soon enough the clock, literally, will be ticking.

The following is an alphabetical list of the best running backs in the draft by a consensus of draft information compiled by the writer, and is not reflective of the Seattle Seahawks personnel department

RUNNING BACKS

1. Jamaal Charles, Texas, 5-11, 200, 4.38

2. Matt Forte, Tulane, 6-2, 217, 4.46

3. Chris Jones, East Carolina, 5-11, 197, 4.24

4. Felix Jones, Arkansas, 5-10, 207, 4.47

5. Darren McFadden, Arkansas, 6-1, 211, 4.33

6. Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois, 5-10, 225, 4.45

7. Ray Rice, Rutgers, 5-8, 200, 4.49

8. Steve Slaton, West Virginia, 5-9, 200, 4.45

9. Kevin Smith, Central Florida, 6-1, 217, 4.52

10. Jonathan Stewart, Oregon, 5-10, 230, 4.48

Also considered: Thomas Brown, Georgia; Tashard Choice, Virginia Tech; Justin Forsett, California; Mike Hart, Michigan; Allen Patrick, Oklahoma.