Teams needing RB

per ESPN Insider:

When breaking down the running back position, there are four key players projected to be taken in the first round of next week's NFL draft. Even after taking projected No. 1 pick Reggie Bush out of the equation, this year's running back class could go down as one of the strongest of all time.

The major difference between this year's draft class and last year's class was that three running backs (Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams) came off the board in the first five picks in 2005. After Bush, this year's group of first-round projections should come off the board anywhere from No. 14 through No. 32. The aspect that has a chance to make this group better is the overall depth of this year's class.

Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams is expected to come off the board between the 14th and 22nd selections, and Minnesota's Laurence Maroney could be taken anywhere from 20th to 28th. The interesting player to keep an eye on is USC's LenDale White, a big, powerful back who has started to fall slowly down draft boards. However, he is very talented and should be drafted somewhere between 21st and 32nd.

Then you have the second-tier guys who have the potential to go in the second- and third-round range. The one problem to keep in mind is that this second-tier group is small and undersized. However, one player to keep an eye on who could slip into the late first round is LSU's Joseph Addai. Addai is powerful for a smaller back and has the frame to get bigger and stronger.

Brian Calhoun (Wisconsin), Maurice Drew (UCLA), Leon Washington (Florida State), Jerome Harrison (Washington State), Jerious Norwood (Mississippi State) and Andre Hall (South Florida) are all smaller backs by NFL standards who have potential to go in the second and third rounds.

Here is a quick look at three teams -- those other than Houston -- that should be looking hardest at running backs in the 2006 draft.


Pressing need
Denver Broncos: The Broncos hold the No. 15 pick, the area where Williams, Maroney and White are projected to start coming off the board. With Tatum Bell slated to replace Mike Anderson (Baltimore) as the team's starting running back, the Broncos have to find an upgrade on draft day .

Bell is a fast, slashing-style runner who can be very dangerous in open space and has the ability to make explosive plays in the running game. However, the major concern about Bell is his stamina/size and durability. Backup Ron Dayne is best suited as a situational short-yardage and goal-line back. He did flash some decent skills late in the season, but is not the answer as a full-time running back.

Outlook: Taking a running back in the first round would go against coach Mike Shanahan's past drafting philosophies. However, the Broncos could address their most glaring need if they take one of the aforementioned backs at No. 15.

New York Jets: The Jets have two first-round picks and can address their running back situation with their second selection (No. 29), which they acquired from the Broncos in the John Abraham trade. The Jets' current starting running back, Curtis Martin, is an aging player with declining skills who will see his workload decrease this season. Change-of-pace back Derrick Blaylock is more of a situational player who would struggle as an every-down player, and Cedric Houston is best suited as a short-yardage and goal-line back.

Outlook: The Jets have five picks on the first day of the draft to position themselves and take their possible running back of the future. They are in a perfect position to move up the draft board and take either Maroney or White. However, New York could sit tight and hope its running back of the future falls right in its lap. The Jets likely will take a back at the bottom of the first round, but with the overall depth of the class, they do not need to panic if they opt to wait until later in the first day.


Indianapolis Colts: The Colts will have their hands full replacing franchise running back Edgerrin James, who left for Arizona. Dominic Rhodes inherits the starting job, but he lacks the size and power to be an every-down back in the Colts' offense. Behind Rhodes, there is no proven depth on the roster other than James Mungro, who is best suited for short-yardage and goal-line situations. Also, Mungro and Rhodes have durability concerns.

Outlook: The Colts must find a running back capable of taking pressure off quarterback Peyton Manning. Look for GM Bill Polian to sit tight and hope one of the "Big Three" running backs falls to the Colts at No. 30. The Colts don't have enough picks to package and move up, so they will be at the mercy of the teams selecting above them. If the top three backs are gone, the Colts could reach and take LSU's Addai, a versatile player who fits the Colts' offensive scheme.


The others
Here is a look at some other teams that should be looking or could be looking for a running back, depending how the board falls. They are in draft order.
Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Westbrook is an explosive playmaker who is undersized and plays at a high level. Last year's third-round pick, Ryan Moats, is undersized and had limited exposure behind Westbrook. Correll Buckhalter is an experienced player with major durability concerns. The Eagles have a lot of needs, but they could address the running back position on the first day of the draft.

New England Patriots: Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk are coming off disappointing seasons, and both have some durability concerns. Dillon, who was bothered by injuries last season, had only 733 yards. Faulk, who is a change-of-pace back opposite Dillon, broke his ankle in Week 3 against the Steelers and never seemed to get back into rhythm. He is an undersized back with ball security issues. The Patriots have done little to upgrade their offense this offseason, so look for them possibly to add a running back in the first day of the draft.

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers re-signed DeShaun Foster this offseason and released Stephen Davis. Foster is an explosive back with playmaking skills, but he has ball security issues and durability concerns. Carolina selected Eric Shelton in the second round of the 2005 draft, but he missed most of last season with a knee injury. The Panthers need to improve their depth at this position, and it will be hard for them to pass on White at No. 27.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Fred Taylor just turned 30. He has had some durability issues and hasn't played a full 16-game season in the last two years. He has a rare combination of size, explosive speed, agility and power. However, there are people in the organization who think his skills are starting to decline. Fullback/running back Greg Jones has some versatility but is best suited as an inside power runner between the tackles. LaBrandon Toefield is a situational player who is best suited to sub situations. Last year's fourth-round pick, undersized Alvin Pearman, showed some flashes as a change-of-pace back and was used as a punt returner. The Jaguars would like to address defense in the first round but might be forced to find a franchise back.

Pittsburgh Steelers: With the retirement of Jerome Bettis and the durability concerns of Duce Staley, the Steelers could look to address their running back situation early in the draft. Willie Parker is an undersized back who is elusive and at his best attacking the outside perimeter. He contributes mainly on first and second down. Staley is 31 and saw limited playing time and exposure during the 2005 season. Pittsburgh probably will have to trade up to get a back, but stranger things have happened on draft day.

 

Foster does not have ball security issues, IMHO.

 

That has been overrated.

 

He seems to me able to secure his balls. On the other hand, he has fumbled at inopportune moments.

 

The ball control problem comment really hurts this guys credibility. More than likely, he remembers that being Foster's main problem coming into the league and assumed that the problem still lingers. It doesn't.

 

not to mention shelton didn't hurt his knee.

 

Unless a knee injury can also be considered a high foot injury??

 

it probably should have read 'spent the season on IR with hurt feelings'

 

This might be the dumbest thing I've ever read from ESPN. People actually pay for this shit?

 

Eh....help me out here....When?