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Draft Dish: USC's Bradford, Nebraska's Helu top sleeper backs
By Russ Lande
Sporting News
Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts analyze the top sleeper running backs expected to be available in the 2011 draft:
1. Allen Bradford, USC
When Bradford (5-11 1/8, 235) had a monster game--223 yards on 21 carries--against Washington on Oct. 2, we thought he would become USC's primary ballcarrier and possibly vault himself into second- or third-round consideration. Since that game, however, USC has continued to use its rotation system and Bradford hasn't had enough carries to shine, which will likely cause him to slide into the later rounds of the draft. He has the quickness and agility to make sharp cuts and the power and strength to drive through contact and gain extra yards. Projection: He has the qualities to develop into a strong, productive starting back along the lines of Arian Foster.
2. Roy Helu, Nebraska
After a breakout junior season, his 2010 production has been limited by the team's scheme. Though Helu (5-11 3/4, 220) had a huge game against Missouri--307 yards on 28 carries--it's the only game this season he has had more than 20 attempts. Helu is a muscular, well-built back with good quickness and speed. But he doesn't have elite speed, which is the reason he likely won't be drafted highly. He is slashing back who finds the crease well, can make the quick cut and hits the hole quickly and aggressively. Projection: Helu will likely be the highest drafted of these sleeper backs and should become a good, productive back with big-play ability.
3. Ryan Houston, North Carolina
Houston (6-2, 245) is regarded as a fullback by many because of his size and strength, but we like him as a running back. The more we evaluated him, it became clear that he has uncommon agility and balance for a big back. He also has deceptive quickness and speed to get into and through holes quickly. Combined with his size and competitiveness, he is able to run through contact and gain extra yards. Projection: He may never be a home run hitter who takes the ball 50 yards, but he has the tools to be a strong, physical inside runner who can wear down defenses.
4. Johnny White, North Carolina
White (5-10, 205) is one of the most interesting running back prospects. He led UNC in rushing as a freshman, then was switched to cornerback for his sophomore season before moving back to running back as a junior. This year, he is finally getting a lot of touches--he already has more carries than he had in his first three years combined--and has shined. Through last Saturday, he has three 100-yard games and has been a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. He has the quickness, elusiveness and speed to make big plays when he gets the ball in space. Projection: White has the tools to be a real find for an NFL team and could end up becoming a versatile, productive starting back.
5. Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech
Allen (6-0 1/8, 231) was a productive back for two years at Louisville before transferring to Georgia Tech. He had a solid junior year but didn't become Tech's primary ballcarrier until this season. He is a thickly built back with the explosive power, strength and balance to consistently run through contact and gain extra yards. He attacks the hole, runs through arm tackles and makes big plays. He is a bit of a straight-line back and an upright runner, which will likely cause him to be a late-round pick. Projection: Allen has flashed the ability NFL teams want in a starting back, but he hasn't been consistent enough. That's why his NFL future is a question mark.
6. Graig Cooper, Miami
Cooper (6-0, 205) hasn't played much this season after suffering a severe knee injury in 2009. Before the injury, he was viewed as a potential second-round pick. When healthy, he has the quickness and agility to make sharp cuts and the strength and explosiveness to drive through creases to make big plays. If his knee checks out OK and teams believe he'll eventually regain his pre-injury explosiveness, he could be selected in the sixth or seventh round. Projection: We expect him to be undrafted because of his knee condition. Assuming he can get his knee back to 100 percent in a season or two, he has the talent to become a good starting back.
For more than 145 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts plus a weekly updated Mock Draft and Super 99 player rankings, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
By Russ Lande
Sporting News
Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts analyze the top sleeper running backs expected to be available in the 2011 draft:
1. Allen Bradford, USC
When Bradford (5-11 1/8, 235) had a monster game--223 yards on 21 carries--against Washington on Oct. 2, we thought he would become USC's primary ballcarrier and possibly vault himself into second- or third-round consideration. Since that game, however, USC has continued to use its rotation system and Bradford hasn't had enough carries to shine, which will likely cause him to slide into the later rounds of the draft. He has the quickness and agility to make sharp cuts and the power and strength to drive through contact and gain extra yards. Projection: He has the qualities to develop into a strong, productive starting back along the lines of Arian Foster.
2. Roy Helu, Nebraska
After a breakout junior season, his 2010 production has been limited by the team's scheme. Though Helu (5-11 3/4, 220) had a huge game against Missouri--307 yards on 28 carries--it's the only game this season he has had more than 20 attempts. Helu is a muscular, well-built back with good quickness and speed. But he doesn't have elite speed, which is the reason he likely won't be drafted highly. He is slashing back who finds the crease well, can make the quick cut and hits the hole quickly and aggressively. Projection: Helu will likely be the highest drafted of these sleeper backs and should become a good, productive back with big-play ability.
3. Ryan Houston, North Carolina
Houston (6-2, 245) is regarded as a fullback by many because of his size and strength, but we like him as a running back. The more we evaluated him, it became clear that he has uncommon agility and balance for a big back. He also has deceptive quickness and speed to get into and through holes quickly. Combined with his size and competitiveness, he is able to run through contact and gain extra yards. Projection: He may never be a home run hitter who takes the ball 50 yards, but he has the tools to be a strong, physical inside runner who can wear down defenses.
4. Johnny White, North Carolina
White (5-10, 205) is one of the most interesting running back prospects. He led UNC in rushing as a freshman, then was switched to cornerback for his sophomore season before moving back to running back as a junior. This year, he is finally getting a lot of touches--he already has more carries than he had in his first three years combined--and has shined. Through last Saturday, he has three 100-yard games and has been a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. He has the quickness, elusiveness and speed to make big plays when he gets the ball in space. Projection: White has the tools to be a real find for an NFL team and could end up becoming a versatile, productive starting back.
5. Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech
Allen (6-0 1/8, 231) was a productive back for two years at Louisville before transferring to Georgia Tech. He had a solid junior year but didn't become Tech's primary ballcarrier until this season. He is a thickly built back with the explosive power, strength and balance to consistently run through contact and gain extra yards. He attacks the hole, runs through arm tackles and makes big plays. He is a bit of a straight-line back and an upright runner, which will likely cause him to be a late-round pick. Projection: Allen has flashed the ability NFL teams want in a starting back, but he hasn't been consistent enough. That's why his NFL future is a question mark.
6. Graig Cooper, Miami
Cooper (6-0, 205) hasn't played much this season after suffering a severe knee injury in 2009. Before the injury, he was viewed as a potential second-round pick. When healthy, he has the quickness and agility to make sharp cuts and the strength and explosiveness to drive through creases to make big plays. If his knee checks out OK and teams believe he'll eventually regain his pre-injury explosiveness, he could be selected in the sixth or seventh round. Projection: We expect him to be undrafted because of his knee condition. Assuming he can get his knee back to 100 percent in a season or two, he has the talent to become a good starting back.
For more than 145 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts plus a weekly updated Mock Draft and Super 99 player rankings, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.