2008 Rookie RB Rankings

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#   Player College Height Weight 40 time
1. Darren McFadden Arkansas 6'1" 211lbs 4.33

Summary: Run DMC lit up the Combine with an unofficial 40 time of 4.27! Dayyyyum. He can flat out fly. I’m hearing all the knocks like his legs are too small, he has fumbling issues and he goes “dead on contact”. With his vision/balance and that speed there won’t be a lot of contact. He absolutely took some games over in the SEC and the SEC might as well be the NFL’s minor league system. DMC is your 1.1 pick regardless of all the downplay you’ll hear. People trying to compare him to Reggie Bush is ridiculous. He’s 6’1” with a stiff arm that would drop most DB’s to their knees. He’s no Reggie Bush.

2. Rashard Mendenhall Illinois 5'10" 225lbs 4.45

Summary: He’s the consummate workhorse RB. He’s short and compact with great pad level. He loves to run through traffic and has the speed to get outside. With great vision, solid hands and his speed/power package he’s a surefire NFL RB1. He’s a 1st round pick in both NFL and fantasy rookie drafts regardless of where he lands. He’s slowly becoming the flavor of the month and could easily be the fantasy 1.1 if he lands in a better spot than DMC. This kid is the real deal.

3. Jonathan Stewart Oregon 5'10" 235lbs 4.48

Summary: Laugh if you may but Stewart will probably end up being the best Pro back out of all of these guys. 235 pounds with a 4.4 forty and some slash moves that will deek you out of your boxers. The only knock on Stewart is his penchant to get dinged like a soup can and miss playing time. If he lands on a team where he starts from day 1, he’ll be a fantasy force for years to come. The guy is a bigger/faster Frank Gore.

4. Felix Jones Arkansas 5'10" 207lbs 4.47

Summary:  Nobody knows about this guy YET, but they soon will. He played caddy for Darren McFadden the last two years and still managed to ring up two 1000 yard seasons. He runs a legit 4.4 forty and averaged 8.7 ypc this past season! When, not if, he gets to be a full-time RB, he’s got that homerun explosion that will shock the league. He’s very quick with amazing feet and nice vision. You don’t average 8.7 ypc in the SEC without being very talented.  

5. Ray Rice Rutgers 5'8" 199lbs 4.44

Summary:  His stock soared with the 4.4 forty at the combine. This kid is compact with great vision and he loves to run in between the tackles. He runs like a pit bull looking for dinner. They put 30+ carries on him a game at Rutgers and he just workhorsed his way through. He’s an impact guy who can be had at a cheap price. He’ll fall to round 2 of the NFL draft if not further and some team is going to get a STEAL.

6. Kevin Smith UCF 6'1" 217lbs 4.43

Summary:  He’s got great size with decent speed. His vision and his hips are NFL caliber. He ran for over 2000 yards last year. Running a sub 4.5 at the Combine really boosted his stock. This kid is a year or two away from being an NFL starter but once he gets there he could be great.

7. Jamaal Charles Texas 5'11" 200lbs 4.38

Summary:  He’s got track star speed (runs on the Texas track team) and shifty moves. He rang up a huge season for the Longhorns this year and made himself a viable 2nd round draft pick. He ran a 4.38 at the Combine and that was with a horrible start. He’s got home run speed and solid size. He’s yet another back that needs a year or two to learn the NFL ropes and then he could be a star.

8. Chris Johnson E. Carolina 5'11" 197lbs 4.24

Summary:  Wow. That’s all you can say when someone runs a 4.24 forty. That rivals Deion Sanders speed. It’s the speed legends are made of. Unfortunately, that’s all Chris Johnson is. Yup, he’s blazing fast but unless he gets outside, he’s a pile of mangled pads and ankles. People put so much stock in the forty…you have to be able to PLAY FOOTBALL. Johnson will be a nice 3rd down back or change of pace guy but he’s not going to be an NFL stud RB. The speed is amazing but everyone in the NFL is fast and with no power or moves they’ll just punch this kid in the mouth and carry on with their business.

9. Matt Forte Tulane 6'1" 217lbs 4.46

Summary: This guy just keeps climbing up everyone’s charts. At 6’1” and 217, he ran a 4.46 forty at the Combine. He’s a power runner with nice cutback vision. Nobody expected sub 4.5 speed and he delivered. He can block/run/catch…he does it all. He’ll be a nice sleeper pick for some NFL team.

10. Mike Hart Michigan 5'9" 206lbs 4.67

Summary: Let me start with the positive…this guy has great vision, amazing feet and true leadership/heart/drive. Now the negative…it was the first time in my life I’ve seen a meatball on stubs run a forty. He started running, I went to get a beer, grabbed a snack, checked on my son, got back to my recliner and he was just crossing the finish line. If I can get a beer quicker than you can run a forty…you’re screwed. I honestly think he’s going to make it in the NFL though. I couldn’t tell you why…just have a gut feeling he’ll be a solid RB in someone’s system. Feet + Vision + Heart always seem to work out in the NFL.

11. W. Virginia Steve Slaton 5'9" 197 4.44

Summary: What a disappointment. Last year I was thinking we were seeing the next Tony Dorsett (sorry Tony). He had a horrible season at West Virginia and his Combine did nothing to change anyone’s mind. He’ll be a 3rd down back in the NFL and I honestly don’t see him getting a chance to start down the road.

12. GA Tech Tashard Choice 5'10" 215 4.54

Summary: This guy could end up being a great pro. He’s got great size and solid speed. He runs with great pad level and power. Injuries slowed him up in college but given the chance he could be a solid NFL RB.

13. Cal Justin Forsett 5'8" 194 4.50

Summary: Small and quick as a dart, Forsett hurt himself by not running the forty at the Combine. He had a great Senior Bowl week so he’ll be drafted and he’ll get a shot to play. I see him more as a change of pace/relief RB or 3rd down specialist.

14. Okla. State Dantrell Savage 5'8" 187 4.57

Summary: Small and slow with solid cutback skills. He’s probably a “one and done” prospect.

15. Oklahoma Allen Patrick 6'0" 198 4.45

Summary: Another guy who could have helped himself by running a blazing forty but didn’t run.

16. Kentucky Rafael Little 5'9" 194 4.50

Summary: Yup, he’s Little alright. 8 whopping reps on the bench? Are you kidding me? Did you not know where the weight room was at Kentucky? He didn’t run the forty and should have skipped the bench press. Welcome to the Arena League son.

17. Houston Anthony Alridge 5'9" 170 4.36

Summary: Blazing speed and that’s about it. He’s 3” taller than Papa Smurf and weight a hair over the average 5th grader. He could catch on as a 3rd down back as his receiving skills are nice.

18. Toledo Jalen Parmalee 5'11" 224 4.47

Summary: Small and compact with nice speed and decent feet. He’s a long-term project for some team.

19. Morgan St. Chad Simpson 5'8" 216 4.42

Summary: He’s short, compact and very fast…last time a RB from Morgan State made a splash in the NFL? 

20. Arizona St. Ryan Torain 6'0" 222 4.64

Summary: please PM Munk on www.hogstrough.com  and ask him how good this guy is. Thanks.

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