It can be difficult to assess a crop of running backs before an NFL draft, because the nature of the position sometimes lends itself to late-round gems. That said, there isn't a sure thing at the top of the board of this year's draft, with the first back likely to be chosen late in the first round or early in the second.
The NFL's prototypical back is Adrian Peterson, the powerful, versatile and consistent runner who was the league's 2012 MVP, but there isn't a running back in the 2013 class who has demonstrated his strength, speed and ability.
Top 5
Eddie Lacy, Alabama
Ht: 5-11. Wt: 231. 40-time: 4.66.
A gamer who had two of his best performances of 2012 in the season's biggest games, Lacy carried on the tradition of bulky, bruising Alabama running backs of late. He split carries with a freshman but still managed 1,322 yards for 6.4 yards a carry. He had trouble with fumbles early in his career, and injuries to lower extremities (hamstring pull, ankle sprains, turf toe) are a concern.
Giovani Bernard, North Carolina
Ht: 5-8. Wt: 202. 40-time: 4.53.
He's a slight 5-8, and his 2010 ACL tear is a concern, but Bernard showed great vision and quickness in rushing for 2,481 yards in two seasons, and he also returned a pair of punts for touchdowns in 2012. He could contribute as a rusher, pass catcher and a returner at the next level but must demonstrate improved breakaway speed.
BERNARD CARRIES ON: Running backs responds to hardships with hard work
Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Ht: 5-10. Wt: 214. 40-time: 4.66.
One of the most prolific rushers in college football over the last two seasons, Ball rushed for 5,140 yards as a Badger and scored 83 touchdowns from scrimmage behind a dominant offensive line. Where he lacks breakaway speed, Ball makes up for it with durability: He started all 28 games in his final two seasons.
Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State
Ht: 6-1. Wt: 230. 40-time: 4.60.
The Spartan workhorse led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,793 yards on 382 carries for an offense that struggled when the ball wasn't in Bell's hands. A tough runner and hard to bring down, Bell needs to develop as a north/south rusher at the next level.
BELL: : Michigan State RB was wise to skip senior season
Johnathan Franklin, UCLA
Ht: 5-10. Wt: 205. 40-time: 4.49.
"Jetski" helped himself at the NFL scouting combine with a better-than-expected 40-yard dash but will have to convince teams he is over a fumbling problem that persisted throughout his college career. Franklin showed excellent understanding of the zone-read running game, collecting a school single-season record 1,734 rushing yards in 2012.
Teams with biggest need
Pittsburgh Steelers: With Rashard Mendenhall joining the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, the Steelers will look to add competition to a backfield featuring Jonathan Dwyer (who flashed outstanding ability in two midseason starts) and Isaac Redman, who hasn't demonstrated the kind of speed needed in a No. 1 back.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers never seem to have a feature running back and never seem to need one until the playoffs. While the Packers are unlikely to use a first-round pick on a runner, they might spring for one during the second or third day of the draft.
St. Louis Rams: They lost Steven Jackson to the Atlanta Falcons, and the expected starter (at this point) is 2012 seventh-round choice Daryl Richardson, who rushed for 475 yards on 98 carries as a rookie.
The NFL's prototypical back is Adrian Peterson, the powerful, versatile and consistent runner who was the league's 2012 MVP, but there isn't a running back in the 2013 class who has demonstrated his strength, speed and ability.
Top 5
Eddie Lacy, Alabama
Ht: 5-11. Wt: 231. 40-time: 4.66.
A gamer who had two of his best performances of 2012 in the season's biggest games, Lacy carried on the tradition of bulky, bruising Alabama running backs of late. He split carries with a freshman but still managed 1,322 yards for 6.4 yards a carry. He had trouble with fumbles early in his career, and injuries to lower extremities (hamstring pull, ankle sprains, turf toe) are a concern.
Giovani Bernard, North Carolina
Ht: 5-8. Wt: 202. 40-time: 4.53.
He's a slight 5-8, and his 2010 ACL tear is a concern, but Bernard showed great vision and quickness in rushing for 2,481 yards in two seasons, and he also returned a pair of punts for touchdowns in 2012. He could contribute as a rusher, pass catcher and a returner at the next level but must demonstrate improved breakaway speed.
BERNARD CARRIES ON: Running backs responds to hardships with hard work
Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Ht: 5-10. Wt: 214. 40-time: 4.66.
One of the most prolific rushers in college football over the last two seasons, Ball rushed for 5,140 yards as a Badger and scored 83 touchdowns from scrimmage behind a dominant offensive line. Where he lacks breakaway speed, Ball makes up for it with durability: He started all 28 games in his final two seasons.
Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State
Ht: 6-1. Wt: 230. 40-time: 4.60.
The Spartan workhorse led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,793 yards on 382 carries for an offense that struggled when the ball wasn't in Bell's hands. A tough runner and hard to bring down, Bell needs to develop as a north/south rusher at the next level.
BELL: : Michigan State RB was wise to skip senior season
Johnathan Franklin, UCLA
Ht: 5-10. Wt: 205. 40-time: 4.49.
"Jetski" helped himself at the NFL scouting combine with a better-than-expected 40-yard dash but will have to convince teams he is over a fumbling problem that persisted throughout his college career. Franklin showed excellent understanding of the zone-read running game, collecting a school single-season record 1,734 rushing yards in 2012.
Teams with biggest need
Pittsburgh Steelers: With Rashard Mendenhall joining the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, the Steelers will look to add competition to a backfield featuring Jonathan Dwyer (who flashed outstanding ability in two midseason starts) and Isaac Redman, who hasn't demonstrated the kind of speed needed in a No. 1 back.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers never seem to have a feature running back and never seem to need one until the playoffs. While the Packers are unlikely to use a first-round pick on a runner, they might spring for one during the second or third day of the draft.
St. Louis Rams: They lost Steven Jackson to the Atlanta Falcons, and the expected starter (at this point) is 2012 seventh-round choice Daryl Richardson, who rushed for 475 yards on 98 carries as a rookie.
