2009 NFL Draft - Between the Tackles - Running Backs Ranked for the Denver Broncos

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 19, 2009 8:22 AM MDT in 2009 NFL Draft Comment 28 comments

With the scheme change on offense, evaluating RBs gets a little bit more tricky. Are we still a one-cut and go zone-block system? How much will the RBs be featured, and from what types of sets and formations?

Without direct answers to these questions, I went ahead as well as I could. The prospects listed here for your consideration are all at least one-cut capable, though most of them had significant one-cut tape to evaluate. Players were ranked a little bit higher if they were okay with situations where they weren't "the man" and either had to share the workload, or were considered smaller parts of bigger systems. I tossed out several good backs who weren't one-cut runners, and who had significant injury problems. I also removed a number of players who I felt had the wrong kind of attitude, whether it was someone who had off-field problems, or someone who didn't seem to have the right work-ethic.

Regardless of which way this offense goes, you can't have too many versatile players who can run between the tackles, flare out with good hands for the reception, or block willingly (and well) in the passing game. Generally, players who met at least two of those three standards are included here. Only one, or heaven forbid, fewer standards, will have to apply elsewhere.

Lets check out the rankings:

RB--Knowshon Moreno

1st

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia: Easily one of the most dynamic players in the draft, it isn't Knowshon's measurables that elevate his play, but his unwillingness to give up. His measurables are good enough to aid him in historic production in his efforts to win ball games, and his vision, cutback ability, quickness, receiving and ball handling all grade out at the top. He is no slouch as a blocker and knows how to follow blocks, and he is a smart, confident player who has no trouble absorbing and understanding plays. His athleticism is rare, and for every scout or analyst who tells you that Moreno plays too physical for his size, there will be an offensive line coach who pines after a football player. A can't-miss prospect.

RB--Chris Wells

1st

Chris Wells, Ohio State: Wells is an excellent runner with a bruising style and terrific vision and feel for cutback lanes. Some question his durability, others believe he is like a futon sofa that doesn't know the difference between getting injured and playing hurt. He certainly wobbled along on some beat-up wheels through his career, and that may have taken some tread off the tires. But there is little else to grade him out poorly on, so only team need can drive him down the board.

RB--Donald Brown

1st-2nd

Donald Brown, Connecticut: My biggest problem in evaluating Brown is noting how many times he surprised me; he isn't exceptionally fast through the second level, but he timed well, and flashed some quicks on the field. He made some terrible read errors, but also could consistently hit the seam early. So which is it? Despite his production, I found myself grading him out low in several key small areas, such as his vision, timing, feet and hands. My expectation is that the production won't translate without comparable starters on the line in front of him, and that his production isn't always self-created.

RB--LeSean McCoy

1st-2nd

LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh: Funny story. I thought I had seen the last of Tatum Bell when he was sent to Detroit, but lo, in 2008 I got to see him twice. Once as an injury replacement for the Broncos, and then again when I was analyzing McCoy. That isn't entirely a bad thing, but I think it is bad enough to caution against it. He has very good quickness and feet, and he can actually read the line a little better than Tatum, but he is too tentative when the play is tight, preferring to dance around instead of getting downhill, and he also struggles in pass-blocking support, though Tatum showed that was something that came with time. He has a similar "Give me the rock" attitude, and if he was allowed to be an outside runner, catching swings (he has very good hands) and reading stretch plays he could be very effective. But in a one-cut system he will be in over his head, and in an offense that asks its RBs to be patient and take what is given, he probably won't fit in.

RB--Rashaad Jennings

2nd

Rashaad Jennings, Liberty: Another player we have seen before, and may be worth a look if the Broncos don't feel they can rely on what Torain offers. Jennings runs well inside, has a great stiff-arm and good vision. He played in some zone-offense at Liberty, and could learn and adjust well. He protects the ball, falls forward and gets downhill, while his cuts are decisive, but not top-level quick. He also tends to favor an upright running-style like Torain, which could wear him down with enough reps, though he does show he can run low, and may just need more coaching here. He could be very effective for Denver, but there are limited reps to analyze, so the 2nd round will likely be too high to take a chance. If I could, i would give him a 3.5 star rating, but as it is, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and give him a four.

RB--Andre Brown

2nd

Andre Brown, North Carolina State: Basically a perfect specimen for a zone-block running system, Brown also has some characteristics of the recent New England RBs: he has been asked to play a limited role out of the backfield, which hampered his stats, and was asked to block in the passing game, as well as catch out of the backfield. He has excellent running power, and does a good job of leaning forward, running downhill, and keeping his feet moving. He doesn't have elite quickness but is adequate, and is above-average reading the blocks and cutting. His hands aren't great but he body catches well, and was adequate in the receiving game. His combine showed that he will get better in every area, so it is likely that the limited reps along with durability concerns will allow some team to get a deal on a young RB currently in a major upswing, potential-wise.

RB--Shonn Greene

2nd-3rd

Shonn Greene, Iowa: Greene runs hard and stays low, which allows him to bounce off defenders and keep the legs moving. His pass blocking is willing and above average, and he seems to take some degree of pleasure in popping defenders. He is another back, like Wells, who was used sparingly as a receiver, and there were questions regarding his coachability and attitude that only sit-down interviews will be able to dispel. He isn't really fast enough to be a home-run threat, but he has good, quick feet and nice vision. Not as many cutback runs as you would like in an evaluation for the Broncos, and overall not a lot of tape to watch period, as a one-year starter, but it is easy to like what you see. I think the Broncos will be hoping he slips a bit before they need to make a decision about him.

RB--Cedric Peerman

3rd

Cedric Peerman, Virginia: Closer to a change-of-pace-style back, which Denver may still value, Peerman is like an upgraded version of Andre Hall. He runs nice and low, keeps his feet moving and falls forward, yet plays very quick, can make moves at the second level and can pull away if he gets in the clear. What the coaches will like, however, is how hard he works, and how much effort he puts into every play, regardless of the situation. Unfortunately, though he is a good receiver, he had some poorly timed fumbles, and with small hand measurements, analysts have reason for concern. It will be interesting to see if he falls down draft boards, and if he did, where Denver might target him. I give him 3 stars, and if he should fall far enough, that could be a steal.

RB--Javon Ringer

3rd-4th

Javon Ringer, Michigan State: This kid is very exciting, but with significant knee-injury history, his stock should be, and stay, low. When healthy, he does a great job of being patient, of following his blocks and reading the line. Doesn't always have the burst to get through the hole, but shows flashes of quickness when coming off the lineman's hips to the outside. As a runner used primarily to gain the outside, or to follow pulling guards, Ringer could excel. He also is adequate catching out of the backfield. But to the degree that teams need him to run inside, his reps will need to be limited until he establishes total health and quickness, or he will get beat on until he is out of the NFL.

RB--Kory Sheets

4th-5th

Kory Sheets, Purdue: Sheets was a lot of fun to analyze, and when I learned that McDaniels would be the Denver coach, one of the first draft prospects I thought of was Sheets. He played in a wide-open spread formation, and split carries and time with other backs consistently. Yet, when injuries put the workload all on him, he responded very well, and produced. He is quick through the hole, has good vision and stellar patience, and can cut very nicely. He doesn't quite drive into tackles though, and only manages to fall forward about half the time. He has a rangy build that can accommodate some more bulk, so hopefully he goes that route, because it shows up in his pass blocking as well, where he has the will, but not the way, giving up power to most LBs. He has a wild-card trait, which may turn some people off: he called out his underachieving QB in the press. To follow the season, you might understand how this didn't seem like a problem at the time, as Purdue's struggles did indeed seem to revolve around Painter's mysterious descent into mediocrity. Is Sheets a team leader or a team cancer? Your guess is as good as mine, but the Broncos may be desperate for leadership from any quarter on offense, once the season rolls around.

RB--Ian Johnson

6th

Ian Johnson, Boise State: As a Big Blue fan I have seen a lot of Ian Johnson, and I pretty much have him pegged, I think. Where I messed up was in evaluating his drive to succeed. He is definitely putting the pressure on the NFL to not overlook him, and it may just work. He is a smart player, who plays hard and is extremely loyal and coachable. He has good, not great hands out of the backfield, is a willing blocker, and runs well with limited reps in a zone-block-style system. In terms of playing in McDaniels' scheme, the good news is that Ian is definitely team-first, and even though his draft stock was at stake, he willingly sacrificed carries throughout his junior and senior campaigns because that is what the team needed. He unfortunately had several injuries, including a punctured lung, which will impact his stock. As a result, his sophomore production (which was tremendous) may slip to the backs of people's minds, and some team that doesn't forget will get a smart, low-mileage player on the cheap.

RB--Arian Foster

7th

Arian Foster, Tennessee: The big question I have is whether Foster can cure his fumble-itis, but if he can, he would be a tremendous pickup as a last pick in the draft or better yet, a UFA. He runs with a power style, yet has the quickness to one-cut and go. He could play with more power though, and he could also get better at reading his line, but in the meantime, his leg-churn and forward lean should help him contribute where needed.

RB--Chris Ogbonnaya

7th-FA

Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas: Might be a Steal of the Draft-type of prospect, similar to Hillis last year. Chris was buried by the depth chart at Texas, but when he got his chance, he took full advantage of it. He is a top-level receiver out of the backfield, and a willing and capable blocker when he stays in. Very patient, with good vision, and an excellent first step in the cut., and just enough movement at the second level to buy the room he needs to fall forward. Not a master of any specific aspect of the backfield, he could well be picked up as a special-teamer, and given the role he has occupied much of his career, and capitalized on: waiting for his chance.

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Comments

One cut and zone block

My guess is that Denver remains a zone block / one cut team. That the RB coach and OL coach kept their jobs during a major purge is the biggest support for this. Denver’s reputation for yards on the ground under any circumstance is yet antoher reason that the new staff might not want to abandon Denver’s signature program.

If Turner (RB Coach) has the ear of Xanders (the new manager), we may still see excellent RBs culled from the depths of the draft.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Mar 19, 2009 9:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh How I Long For The Days...

We could have an effective running back carry the ball 300-350 times….

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
or
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by John Bena on Mar 19, 2009 9:28 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Those days are long gone

Not just for us but for everyone. The few teams that get a 300 carry guy only get him for a year or two max.

by trumanj on Mar 19, 2009 9:50 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

At this point...

I’ll take 200….

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
or
Call Me! (303)731-5605

by John Bena on Mar 19, 2009 9:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

At this point...

I’ll take 16 games. ; )

"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy." - Horvil Tiki
"Enter Bus Cook, and his Methods of Madness." - Styg50

by broncosmontana on Mar 19, 2009 11:00 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

16 snaps?

oh, games. gotcha :)

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

by Tim Lynch on Mar 19, 2009 12:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we're able to get Ron Brace in the 2nd Round

I would be all for drafting Knowshon Moreno at #12…

by CombatChuk on Mar 19, 2009 10:55 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree entirely!

"I am not trying to start anything I am just saying that i think if you take Knowshon and draft D later you guys will be hella good next year" ...IamtheGreatest - The smartest Chiefs fan I ever had the priviledge of reading!

"he (Turner) can get perfomance out of a yugo, but that is no reason not to buy a nicer car"....Broncobear

by Steve O' on Mar 19, 2009 10:58 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

So does IamtheGreatest

judging by your siggy. lol

"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy." - Horvil Tiki
"Enter Bus Cook, and his Methods of Madness." - Styg50

by broncosmontana on Mar 19, 2009 11:02 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

great work Styg

excellent analysis as always, thanks the scoring report on A. Brown…good stuff now let’s go get Knowshon!

"he (Turner) can get perfomance out of a yugo, but that is no reason not to buy a nicer car"....Broncobear

by Steve O' on Mar 19, 2009 11:00 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice work Styg

I think you may be a little harsh on McCoy, McCoy is slightly more comapct than Tataum and I think is a much better between the tackler RB than you give him credit for (IMO), the thing that sticks out to me about McCoy is that he has been recovering from an injuryy in High School and so I think is still healing up from that, in addition, this year he was the Pittsburgh offense, he has shown he can be a workhorse, something I think Tatum never was.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman

by Broncoman on Mar 19, 2009 11:10 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

He is definitely better between the tackles

I would like to see McCoy go to a team like SD (not SD though) that does a lot of downhill, straight ahead running. Tatum actually did okay with his skill set, but he was doomed to a low ceiling in the zone-block, one-cut system. I think McCoy will be similar. If he came to Denver, I suspect he would look very similar to Ttum behind and up to the line, with a slight upgrade right at the line of scrimmage, and a slight downgrade getting to the second level. On the right team, i think he will be very good, I just don’t think it is the Denver we traditionally know (I say that, in case we are changing the running scheme).

Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 19, 2009 4:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also think you may be underrating Ian Johnson

Just my opinion, but I think he may end up being the Steve Slayton of this year’s draft, the kid is very smart, great teamate, and does whatever is asked, very verstile, and I think is an underrated RB, I know his production went down this year, but they lost Clady and went to a pass fisrt offense due to their QB at BSU.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman

by Broncoman on Mar 19, 2009 11:14 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

One star for Ian reflects the durability concerns

I really don’t think he will hold up. I agree with everything you say about him though, except the Slaton part. Nobody wishes Ian more luck in the pros than I do, I just hope he can get on the field and stay there.

I actually really like his production, despite the aggregate lack of totals he posted. What I dig is that it doesn’t amtter whether he gets 5 carries or twenty carries, he is very consistent. He doesn’t need to get “warmed up”, but he also doesn’t wear anybody down. From what I am reading from others here at MHR, that sounds like it could fit the McDaniels RB game plan: you get the carries you get, and you need to execute on them.

I certainly won’t count Ian out.

Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 19, 2009 4:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

PJ Hill didn't even make your list

Apparently he shouldn’t have – In addition to an inability to keep his weight down, he was arrested for drunken driving and leading police on a chase last weekend (here). Just in case anyone wondered why ;-)

Hillis in '09

by Emmett Smith on Mar 19, 2009 12:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like someone we should take

Who wouldn’t want a combination of Ron Dayne and Maurice Clarre. ; }

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman

by Broncoman on Mar 19, 2009 2:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent Styg

I see a few sleeper picks there. I think we pick up a third round running back honestly. I like Hillis love his ability to tote the rock, I am confident in Torain’s ability but I think We maybe looking for something more!

http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 19, 2009 1:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

no way

I’m sorry, but there is no way the broncos are going to pay 1st round money to a running back. With or without Jay (I want a new contract and you are kidding yourself if you think this drama is about anything other than money) Cutler, McD and X will draft a defensive lineman who fits the 3-4 scheme that Nolan is implementing. Also when you think about the history of drafting a running back in the first round, more often than not running backs taken in the first round are failures in the NFL. I would rather have Brandon Jacobs (4th round) on my team than Reggie Bush, less sports center highlights but more wins at the end of the year.

by 27Defense27 on Mar 19, 2009 2:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Also when you think about the history of drafting a running back in the first round, more often than not running backs taken in the first round are failures in the NFL

Perhaps you may change your stance on that opinion after you read NYCBroncosfan’s post http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/2/24/757475/running-backs-the-nfl-draf

"he (Turner) can get perfomance out of a yugo, but that is no reason not to buy a nicer car"....Broncobear

by Steve O' on Mar 19, 2009 4:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

+5

http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 19, 2009 4:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that my lifetime +5 Mushroom?

"he (Turner) can get perfomance out of a yugo, but that is no reason not to buy a nicer car"....Broncobear

by Steve O' on Mar 19, 2009 4:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes!

http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 19, 2009 5:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Almost forgot!

http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 19, 2009 5:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great job styg.

Thanks for all of the hard work you put in for this site. It is appreciated very much. I was wondering, could you throw in some stats on the player? Ht, wt. time in the 40 and 20? Oh, and also, who is his agent. I really don’t want to draft anyone else represented by Cook.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Mar 19, 2009 5:23 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

there is more coming up in draftivus

including updated player profiles. When the profiles are finished being created, I will link them to these rankings. April first is my deadline, and I’m on schedule so far, so I feel good saying that they will be there.

Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 19, 2009 6:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gartrell Johnson deserves serious consideration as a late rounder

by Colinski on Mar 20, 2009 12:37 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I flipflopped back and forth

one star, no stars, one star, no stars. Finally I just left him off.

Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 20, 2009 12:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I've done the same with him

His late season performance was stellar, but it’s the transition to the pro game that worries me for someone who runs around a 4.7 (pro day). He’s just not big enough for FB. And he’s just not fast enough for most teams. But I like his potential in a ZB scheme.

Pro: What’s interesting is that he caught the ball so well at the Shrine that they were thinking of using him at receiver for the game.

Con: Catch a piece of him in the backfield and he never gets up to speed.

He just looks so decisive on his cuts that he looks like he’d thrive behind our OL. I don’t think it’s terrible if he goes the CFA route and works his way onto the team. He’s less a draft prospect than a CFA prospect.

by Colinski on Mar 20, 2009 1:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs