Bryan's Draft Preview: RB's

Time for the running backs, the guys who give you the most points in fantasy leagues (hey we should have a Bartcop fantasy football league). Pretty decent bunch in this list, although I will smack anybody who think Clarrett is going earlier than round six. Let’s see how I rank them…

1.) Ronnie Brown, Auburn: Best player in the draft, bar none. Had a tremendous workout at the combine. He was the power back for Auburn. The easiest catch phrase I’ve heard this week has been this, “If Carnell Williams was the Cadillac, than Ronnie Brown was the Ford F-150.” He is going to be a player in the NFL.

2.) Cedric Benson, Texas: As far as ranking, I’m putting him here. Though I do think he will be the one of the picks this year that will be a huge bust. Hmm, highly rated, but will be a bust. He’ll be around for the fourth pick, I wonder who will take him??

3.) Carnell Williams, Auburn: Fast, strong, and a nice first step. He will be good in the NFL and will probably have an impact, though not as much as his teammate will.

4.) Ciatrick Fason, Florida: Never missed a game due to injury, and he is one hell of a receiver out of the backfield. Quick and agile

5.) Marion Barber III, Minnesota: Hard runner, also good out of the backfield. Smart guy, who can also be good returning punts and kicks. Would be good at the goal line.

Teams that Need RBs

1.) Miami: Losing Ricky Williams destroyed their season, and my hopes of the Bears getting Ronnie Brown

2.) Tampa Bay: Michael Pittman is decent, but not the guy that is going to get you over the top and bring them back to the Super Bowl. Gruden’s offense needs a good running back that can catch.

3.) Chicago: I thought Thomas Jones was going to be the guy. Then I finally realized he has never played a full 16 games. Jones can provide a bruiser, but they need someone who can break a long one

4.) Arizona: Emmit retired, Marcell Shipp coming off a bad injury, and this is a team that has never really had a great running back.

5.) Philly: This one seems weird I know, but is Westbrook really going to be the guy??

Other teams that are in need: Giants, Tennessee, Carolina, and Baltimore

One other note about running backs is this; Edgerrin James, Shaun Alexander, and Travis Henry are all possibly bait for a trade. Buffalo is already looking to deal Henry to Arizona for a lineman and switching second round picks. I can’t really see Alexander leaving, or Seattle letting him go, but I can honestly see Edge moving on because Dominic Rhodes is solid and with Peyton as your QB, you do not really need a top of the line running back.