TEAM |
RND |
PICK |
OVR PICK |
PLAYER |
POS |
COLLEGE |
TRADE NOTES |
|
1 |
4 |
4 |
*Darren McFadden |
RB |
Arkansas |
|
Draft Scout Says: Despite spending millions on their defense this off-season, Raiders' head coach Lane Kiffin voiced his opinion that the team still needed help along the defensive line. In selecting Darren McFadden over Glenn Dorsey, this appears to be a pick handed down by Al Davis, who understandably loves the explosive potential of a JaMarcus Russell-McFadden backfield.
|
|
1 |
13 |
13 |
*Jonathan Stewart |
RB |
Oregon |
|
Draft Scout Says: With wide receiver Steve Smith the only true weapon on Carolina's offense, it was imperative that the club improved their running game. While an offensive tackle also made sense, Stewart -- the most physical back in the draft -- can come in and make a mo re immediate impact. Considering that some have questioned how secure John Fox is as the Panthers' head coach, complementing speed back DeAngelo Williams with Stewart's downhill physicality is an excellent choice.
|
|
1 |
22 |
22 |
*Felix Jones |
RB |
Arkansas |
(Cowboys acquired pick and 2nd-round pick in 2007 draft from Browns for 1st-round pick in 2007 draft, April 28, 2007.) |
Draft Scout Says: Dallas had been forecasted by many to take Jones with this pick. Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall remaining on the board, however, created some discussion within the Dallas draft room. Jones is the better fit for Dallas' needs, however, considering his exper ience in a rotation system and kick return abilities.
|
|
1 |
23 |
23 |
*Rashard Mendenhall |
RB |
Illinois |
|
Draft Scout Says: Willie Parker couldn't have imagined that in finishing the season as the AFC's second leading rusher with 1,316 yards, he'd see the Steelers take a running back in the first round. The Steelers, however, likely couldn't have imagined that Mendenhall woul d fall all the way to #23 -- though the former Illini back was rumored to be slipping. The combination of both Parker and Mendenhall gives the Steelers a spectacular 1-2 punch at running back.
|
|
1 |
24 |
24 |
Chris Johnson |
RB |
East Carolina |
|
Draft Scout Says: Chris Johnson had been skyrocketing up the board in the weeks previous to the draft. While the Titans certainly need help for Vince Young at wide receiver, the biggest need was pure speed. Johnson has that -- turning in the fastest 40 time recorded by th e Combine this year (4.24). In averaging over 227 all-purpose yards a game in 2007, Johnson can help the Titans as a runner, receiver, and returner.
|
|
2 |
13 |
44 |
Matt Forte' |
RB |
Tulane |
|
Draft Scout Says: With concerns regarding the consistency and intensity from Cedric Benson, the Bears added a speed back in Garrett Wolfe last year. In adding a bigger back in Forte with this pick, clearly the pressure is on Benson to step up his production.
|
|
2 |
24 |
55 |
*Ray Rice |
RB |
Rutgers |
(From Seahawks) |
Draft Scout Says: The John Harbaugh stamp on the Baltimore Ravens was felt through the first two rounds of the 2008 draft as the skill position players for which the team will be built around were added. Rice, while undersized, is among the draft's most physical backs and is very similar to Jacksonville star, Maurice Jones-Drew.
|
|
3 |
1 |
64 |
*Kevin Smith |
RB |
Central Florida |
(From Dolphins) |
Draft Scout Says: In trading up to get Kevin Smith, the Lions made a statement about their running game. The nation's leading rusher in 2007, Smith is a big back with a unique blend of vision, agility, and deceptive speed.
|
|
3 |
10 |
73 |
*Jamaal Charles |
RB |
Texas |
(Chiefs acquired pick, another 3rd, and a 6th round pick in 2008 draft with Vikings in exchange for DE Jared Allen and a 6th round pick, April 23, 2008.) |
Draft Scout Says: Larry Johnson's starting position is safe, as the Chiefs drafted Charles simply because he was too talented to slip any further. Blessed with spectacular speed, Charles was one of the hotter backs down the stretch for the Longhorns. His playmaking abilit y made sense for a team looking for a change of pace back.
|
|
3 |
26 |
89 |
*Steve Slaton |
RB |
West Virginia |
(From Jaguars through Ravens) |
Draft Scout Says: Needing an infusion of speed and elusiveness from their backfield, the Texans will receive both from Slaton. Scouts were a little worried that Slaton's production tailed off dramatically in 2007, but his combination of agility, breakaway speed, and visio n makes him a perfect fit as a rotational back in Kubiak's offense.
|
|
4 |
23 |
122 |
Tashard Choice |
RB |
Georgia Tech |
|
Draft Scout Says: Rob - With Marion Barber not yet officially signed, the Cowboys provided themselves with insurance at running back early with the selection of speedy back Felix Jones. In adding a back with similar toughness and downhill running style in Choice, the Cowb oys have reloaded at running back. Chad - Everyone's talked about Dallas needing a speed complement to Marion Barber. But the fact is Dallas has not re-signed Barber for 2009. Fourth round pick Tashard Choice may get a shot to show he could take over if Barber leaves. Injuries have hurt his stock a bit, however.
|
|
5 |
4 |
139 |
Ryan Torain |
RB |
Arizona State |
(Broncos acquired pick from Raiders for DT Gerard Warren, August 20, 2007.) |
Draft Scout Says: A fractured toe ended Torain's senior season prematurely, but prior to the injury Torain had proven himself to be among the top big backs in the country. A physical runner, Torain is a similar player in many ways to former Bronco Mike Anderson.
|
|
5 |
16 |
149 |
Tim Hightower |
RB |
Richmond |
|
|
5 |
33 |
166 |
Marcus Thomas |
RB |
Texas-El Paso |
(Compensatory) |
|
6 |
6 |
172 |
Thomas Brown |
RB |
Georgia |
|
|
6 |
10 |
176 |
Jalen Parmele |
RB |
Toledo |
(From Lions) |
|
6 |
13 |
179 |
Xavier Omon |
RB |
Northwest Missouri State |
|
|
6 |
36 |
202 |
Mike Hart |
RB |
Michigan |
(Compensatory) |
|
7 |
3 |
210 |
Brian Johnston |
RB |
Gardner-Webb |
|
|
7 |
6 |
213 |
Chauncey Washington |
RB |
Southern Cal |
(From Raiders through Cowboys) |
|
7 |
26 |
233 |
Justin Forsett |
RB |
California |
(Seahawks acquired pick from Jaguars, Bills acquired pick from Bears for DT Darwin Walker, July 30, 2007. Jaguars acquired pick from Bills.) |
|
7 |
31 |
238 |
Cory Boyd |
RB |
South Carolina |
|
|
7 |
33 |
240 |
Allen Patrick |
RB |
Oklahoma |
(Compensatory) |
There were (23) RB's Drafted in 2008