Running backs can power offenses, but they don’t need to be drafted high. That’s the message ESPN’s Mel Kiper and many others have preached. With only one running back — Alabama’s Mark Ingram — who might be chosen in the first round, clearly many teams agree with this thinking.
“Most teams are set at running back,” Kiper said. “Maybe three teams out of 32 have a need [at this position]; that’s why some good ones end up going in rounds four, five and six.”
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Green Bay’s James Starks was a sixth-round draft pick last spring and helped the Packers Super Bowl push. Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount was undrafted and finished with 1,007 yards.
Among the potential steals this year, Kiper said, are Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas (though he could go in the second round), Syracuse’s Delone Carter and Hawaii’s Alex Green.
“[Green] has a chance to be an all-around every-down back,” Kiper said.
And he termed Maryland’s Da’Rel Scott as “interesting.”
“If he held on to the ball, he has a lot of talent,” Kiper said.
