NFL Draft Preview: Running Backs

(This is the second of an 8-part series leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft. For the next eight days we'll examine each position in the draft and rank our Top 10 at each position. The final installment will feature the Fanatics 2007 Mock Draft).

Adrian Peterson leads a fairly weak running back group in this years draft and is the clear-cut best runner in the class.

The former Oklahoma Sooner has it all - size, speed, strength and explosiveness. His stock rose even higher after he ran a 4.40 at the Combine and proved he has hands and could be a decent receiver at the next level.

The red flag on Peterson is his health. He's a straight up runner in the mold of Eric Dickerson and was injured in each of his three seasons at Oklahoma. He also had some fumble problems in college. Even so, Peterson should be a top 10 pick and has the potential to be a superstar in the league.

Cal RB Marshawn Lynch is the other back mentioned as a first round talent. Lynch has decent size and slippery quickness and is a real threat as a receiver.

His stock has dropped a little of late because of some character issues and bad interviews at the Combine. He also has a history of injuries and was never a full-time starter with Bears - sharing time with J.J. Arrington and Justin Forsett in his collegiate career. Durability is a concern with NFL scouts.

Louisville's Michael Bush would have been a first-round pick for sure, but a broken leg in the opening game of the season against Kentucky that required two surgeries will have Bush falling to the third or fourth round.

He's a huge back with deceptive speed and may be a steal for the team that pulls the trigger on him. For this reason, Bush remains as the third back on the Fanatics list, despite the injuries.

Top 10 Running Backs:
1. Adrian Peterson - Oklahoma
2. Marshawn Lynch - California
3. Michael Bush - Louisville
4. Tony Hunt - Penn State
5. Antonio Pittman - Ohio State
6. Lorenzo Booker - Florida State
7. Kenny Irons - Auburn
8. Brian Leonard (FB) - Rutgers
9. Chris Henry - Arizona
10. Garrett Wolfe - Northern Illinois

Best Pro Prospect: Peterson
Sleeper: Bush
Falling: Lynch