By Joe Robbins, Getty ImagesMark Ingram could be the first running back selected in the NFL draft.
By Joe Robbins, Getty ImagesMark Ingram could be the first running back selected in the NFL draft.
The timing of running back Mark Ingram's selection will provide one of the compelling elements of the NFL draft, because it will reflect not only on the skills of the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner but also on the value attached to his position.With quarterbacks increasingly putting up dizzying passing statistics and offensive coordinators relying more on two running backs, a question that was once unthinkable must be asked.
What is the worth of a potential franchise back?
Ingram, 5-9, 215 pounds, is the member of his class who most closely resembles that description. He fashioned a season that Alabama fans won't forget when he rumbled for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns in leading the Crimson Tide to a national title and running off with the Heisman as a sophomore.
While not as overpowering as a junior, Ingram still distinguished himself. After an injury to his left knee that required arthroscopic surgery in August and cost him two games, he rejoined the lineup and got a glimpse of what might lie ahead in the pros.
He was no longer a one-man gang, finishing with 875 rushing yards while talented sophomore Trent Richardson added 700. Ingram's yards per carry slipped from 6.1 to 5.5.
Alabama coach Nick Saban does not hesitate to call him "NFL-ready."
"He's got great quickness, and he's very instinctive," Saban says. "He's a rare combination of someone who can make people miss and has great power."
Although it is likely that Ingram will be the first running back chosen, opinions vary widely as to when his name might be called in next week's draft.
"There has never been an NFL draft without a running back drafted in the first round. Could this be the year?" NFL Network analyst Charles Davis says. "I don't think so. I think he will be the lone running back to go in the first round, because he eats carries, he carries himself like a pro and has for a long time and he has the work ethic."
Ingram is familiar with the league. His father, Mark Sr., enjoyed a 10-year NFL career with the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles from 1987 to 1996. Mark Sr. is currently serving time in federal prison for money laundering and bank fraud.
"I'd like to contribute any way I can," the younger Ingram says. "Whatever it takes to get the job done, that's what I'm all about."
The most optimistic scenarios have the Dolphins taking him 15th. Others see him as part of a running back group loaded with underclassmen falling surprisingly far.
ESPN's Todd McShay raves about the former Alabama star.
"I like Mark Ingram a lot, and I think there is a chance he will be a really good back," McShay says. "I love his instinct. I love his lateral quickness and his ability to generate yards after contact."
At the same time, McShay notes that more teams have been finding effective runners in the late rounds or by giving opportunities to undrafted players.
He is not at all sure that Ingram will go in the top half of the opening round.
"How much value do you put on him? How much are you going to get from this guy?" McShay asks.
It hurts, too, that Ingram is not the home run threat that teams covet. Davis describes him as "a doubles hitter with the ability to be a triples hitter."
Davis adds, "His game-breaking ability is the ability he has to wear you down and be a sledgehammer type of guy. The last time I looked, 5- and 10-yard runs never bothered me."
Ingram's punishing style also might be his problem. He is a throwback to another era, when power backs were prized and smash-mouth offense ruled.
Teams in need at running back
Miami Dolphins: While QB Chad Henne was widely blamed for an offense ranked 30th in scoring (17.1 points), a ground game ranked 21st (102.7 yards a game) contributed to the lack of punch. Often-injured Ronnie Brown and aging Ricky Williams are at the end of their contracts. It's time for a new combination.
New England Patriots: A 14-2 regular-season record was grand, yet expectations are much higher than that during the Tom Brady era. Recent early playoff exits point to a need for greater offensive balance to take heat off Brady. With New England holding so many high draft choices, the time will never be better to add a workhorse back.
New Orleans Saints: New Orleans ranked 28th with 94.9 rushing yards a game. With injuries to Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, undrafted rookie Chris Ivory emerged as the leading ballcarrier with 716 yards, and he is coming off foot surgery. A pumped-up ground game would make the Saints less predictable and make QB Drew Brees more effective than ever.
St. Louis Rams: It might come as a surprise to list the Rams. Steven Jackson remains among the NFL's premier backs, carrying 330 times for 1,241 yards last season as a perfect complement to promising rookie QB Sam Bradford. It is time to lighten Jackson's load if he is to continue as a major factor. Consider that Bradford was the Rams' fourth-leading rusher (63 yards).
Cream of the crop: Best of the rest at running back
Ryan Williams, Va. Tech
• Height: 5-9. Weight: 212
• Scouting report: Instinctual back who sees the field well and has a tremendous burst. Nagging hamstring injury limited his production last season and cost him four games. Appears to be best served by a two-back system.
• Insider's take: "He is hard-nosed, difficult to tackle and will punish defenders. His hands are very good. The only thing lacking is blazing speed, but he is faster than Mark Ingram. He's my second-ranked running back." —Charles Davis, NFL Network analyst
• Projected round: Third
Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State
• Height: 5-7. Weight: 199
• Scouting report: Averaged 5.9 yards per carry during prolific career. Has quick feet, stays low to the ground and can be very difficult to bring down in the open field. Missed six games with an ankle injury in 2009. Plays bigger than size would suggest.
• Insider's take: "He has good quickness and he runs with more power than you would expect from a guy who weighs 195 pounds. He needs work on his hands and on pass protection." —Michael Lombardi, NFL Network analyst
• Projected round: Third
Daniel Thomas, Kansas State (Film room video)
• Height: 6-0. Weight: 230
• Scouting report: Junior college transfer piled up 2,850 yards in two seasons. Former high school quarterback gets excellent pre-snap reads. Patient back who allows action to develop. Hamstring injury kept him from Senior Bowl and combine; tight quad shortened Pro Day.
• Insider's take: "He's a big, physical running back with great speed and the ability to break tackles. He can make an impact on all three downs." —Lombardi
• Projected round: Third
Mikel Leshoure, Illinois (Film room video)
• Height: 5-11. Weight: 227
• Scouting report: Broke Rashard Mendenhall's school record with 1,697 rushing yards in 2010. Pounds ahead for tough yards but also can break it outside. Fought a teammate in 2008 and was suspended for one game in 2009 for violating team rules, raising character questions.
• Insider's take: "You like the fact that he has very good vision. He usually makes that first defender miss … You can make the argument that he's the second best back in this draft." —Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN analyst
• Projected round: Second
Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh (Film room video)
• Height: 5-8. Weight: 195
• Scouting report: Is an elusive runner with great ability to change direction, then accelerate almost immediately. He must become more of a factor in the passing game. His pass protection is a liability at this stage. Raw but promising talent.
• Insider's take: "He has been likened to a poor man's Brian Westbrook for his vision, agility, elusiveness and ability to make plays as a runner or receiver and could be a dynamic change of pace back." —Nolan Nawrocki, Pro Football Weekly
• Projected round: Third
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