2010 NFL Draft: Running backs

Where Spiller lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in speed and athleticism. A dynamic running back who considered entering the 2009 NFL Draft, Spiller is a multi-threat player who can play special teams and catch passes. But he's made his name running around and past defenders. He instinctively eludes contact and gets up to speed quickly. Size is a concern, but his added special teams value could make him a first-round pick.

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One of the nation's top rushers in 2009, Matthews came out of nowhere after injuries slowed his career. Matthew has good size and is shifty in the open field. He has good but not great speed and solid vision. He's one of the better receiving running backs in the class.

- Scouting report -

An incredible combo running back who is reminiscent of Deuce McAllister in his prime. Great on pitches where he can use his speed on the outside. Has the strength to easily get past arm tackles. Great effort runner. Not especially elusive in the open field. Frame is likely maxed out as he's already put on more than 30 pounds of bulk since high school.

- Scouting report-

Even more explosive as a runner than C.J. Spiller. Best is a thin speed back who is incredible in the open field. Has elite agility for the position and can really make defenders miss. Does a nice job avoiding big hits by keeping low between the tackles. Solid receiving swing passes. Clearly lacks strength throughout his frame, which makes you wonder how well he'll stay healthy. Decent effort blocker.

- Scouting report -

A big bruising work horse back, Gerhart should get a shot at the next level as part of a tandem back field. He has solid short-area quickness. Displays good patience waiting for blocks to open up. Doesn't have great speed and he runs too upright between the tackles. Not much of a receiving threat.

- Scouting report -

Finally, as a senior, Hardesty had the kind of season many were expecting of him. He's a big back with a lot of power and good quickness. He's a good one-cut runner with solid vision.

- Scouting report -

Tate is a tough running back and does a really good job of keeping his pads low. He's at best going in-between the tackles. Keeps his shoulders square to the line while running and is a classic north-south runner. Doesn't get much separation on the second level.

- Scouting report -

There is no more confounding prospect than Joe McKnight. He's a Reggie Bush clone, but Bush has struggled adjusting to the NFL. He's also had injury problems and has talked about wanting to play defense. However, it's hard to deny is speed and athleticism. Both are world class. He's a good receiving option and can play special teams. This will be a telling season for McKnight.

- Scouting report -

Dixon is one of the few big backs with ability that will be in the 2010 NFL Draft. Because of that, he has some extra value. Helping his cause is a good first step and good vision into the hole. He doesn't have a lot of elusiveness but can break tackles.

- Scouting report -

Bell projects as a good power runner. He keeps a low center of gravity, which makes him hard to take down. His best fit might be in a one-cut scheme where he can decide the hole he wants to hit and burst through it.

Before the season, Blount was much higher on this list. Then, he punched someone in the face. Those type of character red flags will drop him a couple rounds. But even when Blount returned, he showed he wasn't much more than a short-area power back with decent foot quickness.

Anderson is a good all-around running back. He's got good enough size to work inside and enough quickness to elude defenders in the open field. His speed isn't all that great, but he gets by. Anderson gets such high grades because he is an excellent receiving option and runs crisp routes.

Remember Starks? Maybe not since he missed the entire 2009 season. When he was healthy, Starks was one of the stronger running backs in the nation. He also has good speed and is an above-average receiver. Offseason testing will be crucial for Starks to show he still has his agility.

- Scouting report -

Given USC's running back by committee approach, it's a little difficult to get a great grab on Johnson. He profiles as a work horse back, but never really carried the load. Johnson is always going forward, but he has the speed to break outside. His footwork needs refinement, but he's a good sleeper. Teams will have to check out his injury history.

A compact runner, Scott might be best on zone-scheme teams. He makes one cut and works up field. Has a great lower center of gravity and can really bowl over defenders. Kind of a poor man's Michael Turner. Very good on short yardage and in the red zone.

Toston's speed is below-average for the position, but he still manages to routinely get positive yards. He's another one-cut style running back because he has good vision and quick feet. Not a breakaway threat, but a solid runner.

An intelligent runner who seems to have a great sense for where a hole is going to open up on the offensive line. Changes direction smoothly, allowing him to pop outside for a bigger gain. What holds Brown back as a prospect, however, is that he's just average in power and athleticism. He doesn't break a lot of tackles and isn't very elusive.

Steele is a shifty running back who moves well laterally. He doesn't do a lot of damage between the tackles, but is a good speed option at running back.

An ultra-productive running back since his freshman season, Fletcher is an undersized player with deceptive strength. He always seems to manage to get through arm tackles and into the open field. The problem is that he doesn’t have great playing speed. Fletcher also has serious character issues and served six months probation on weapons charges.

James has had an up-and-down college career. He put it together more during his senior season and has the skills of a solid all-around running back. James doesn't have great speed or power, but his vision is very good and he knows how to make people miss.

McNeal left SMU a year early after transferring from Miami (Fla.). He doesn't have good strength and isn't much of blocker. But he's fast and elusive. He has a second gear in the open field

Miller bounced in and out of the Fresno State starting lineup before permanently being displaced by Ryan Mathews in 2009. He's a strong running back and has a good burst.

A backup the majority of his career, Williams is a power runner who can break arm tackles. He's build compact and is a good runner between the tackles. He doesn't have great speed, but his feet are quick.

Few runner in this year's class run with as much effort as Minor. He likes to lower his shoulder and run thorugh defenders. He keeps a low base and is hard to take down with the first hit. But he's not espeically fast and isn't agile enough to make defenders miss.

Dixon is a big, fast running back who doesn't mind getting physical between the tackles. He's also a solid receiving option out of the backfield. But he's rated so low because he's had some off-the-field issues and was really only a one-year player after sitting behind Donald Brown.

Karim is an athletic marvel who really turned heads during the offseason. He is packed with speed and power and could be a real find.