Smith, Mendenhall add to deep RB class
by MattMiller on Jan 7, 2008 1:30 PM EST
in 2008 NFL Draft
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PrintThe announcements over the weekend that UCF running back Kevin Smith and Illinois power back Rashard Mendenhall would enter the draft have drastically changed the landscape of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Smith enters the draft as one of the most productive college running backs ever during the 2007 season. He is a speed back with the vision to find creases and get positive yards. His small stature and running style may draw critics, but Smith has what it takes to be a complete NFL back and should come off the board by the middle of round two.
Mendenhall is a rare power runner in a spread option offense. He has the ability to run inside and out, with the speed to break away from defenders. Just ask USC. He will need to adjust to lining up behind the quarterback in the NFL, but Mendenhall brings a lot of potential to the position. He is likely to be a top 20 pick.
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Felix Jones
Do these two guys coming out decrease the chances that Jones comes out this year (or did I already miss that annoucement)?
Jones
The more declarations we get, the more likely it is that Jones will return to Arkansas. It would be very surprising for him to come out.
From what I saw in Mendenhall...
... he come down with first contact too often (when running between the T's) to be a real power back. Maybe I am wrong.
I haven't seen any UCF games, but do you think that Smith will be a good cutback runner (ala Denver, GreenBay)?
Rashard
Against Ohio State he was running with authority between the tackles and on a lot of zone reads. I guess it's misleading to call him a "power back", because he's not Jim Brown or Jamal Lewis. He is going to do a lot of his work between the tackles in the NFL though, mostly on counters and off-tackles I would guess.
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