Draft Preview - Running backs OK so we drafted Cadillac Williams with the fifth pick in 2005, so why not draft Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma) with the fourth pick this year, well to start with it would be a lot of cap room tied up at one position but then again it would create the type of backfield Cadillac had at Auburn. it’s unlikely we will see Peterson as a Buccaneer but he could be an important part of the Buccaneers draft this year. There is a chance that the Cleveland Browns will pick him at #3 if this happens it pushed someone like Calvin Johnson or Joe Thomas to the Bucs if he is still available at #4 then the chance to trade down is available as someone may be willing to pay a hefty price to get the premium back in the draft but the question is how far would have to trade down to get a trading partner. There are other backs that will likely go in the first half of the first day, they include Marshawn Lynch (Cal), Kenny Irons (Auburn) and Antonio Pittman (Ohio State) the need at running back is more for depth than looking for the next every down back and therefore the pick would likely come later in the drafting process than when these backs will get the phone call. Michael Bush (Louisville) is a name to look out for as a year ago he was on his way to the first round, but suffered a broken leg early this season and because of that will probably find him self later in the first day, a great athlete who has good speed given his large frame. Looks very natural running but how he recovers from this injury is the biggest concern. Two backs that could add excellent depth could be Tony Hunt (Penn State) and Brandon Jackson (Nebraska) Hunt is a big back who run north/south very well, is a good blocker and has good hands catching out of the backfield, he wont run away from anyone and really only has one big season behind him. While Jackson is a quicker back he has very little experience, he could have been one of the higher rated backs next year so whoever picks him up this year could get a bit of a steal. Darrius Walker (Notre Dame) on the other hand is just a fool, he should have stayed for his senior year, his main problem is that he is not big enough to be a power back or fast enough to be a speed back, but he is a very natural runner and that’s hard to teach. Two Florida based backs to keep an eye on are Lorenzo Booker (Florida State) and Deshawn Wynn (Florida) both were hyped prospects in high school that have never lived up to that hype. Wynn is the bigger of the two backs while Booker is more of a speed back, both are good blockers and receivers and both have underachieved at the college level. They have a lot of potential but no college coach got it out of them, it remains to be seen if a pro coaching staff can. I hope we stay away from Chris Henry (Arizona), he is a workout warrior, his workout numbers have been terrific and moved him up the draft boards, yet he never produced in college and left early due to lack of playing time, when Chris Henry’s name is called at the draft it could be the last we ever hear from him. As a pick it is purely based on potential. Another interesting character is Ramonce Taylor (Texas College) he is obviously talented but in the last few season being suspended, arrested, transferred and left school early for the draft. He will be very low on a lot of draft boards because of these off the field issues and there is a good chance he wont get drafted but then again he could be worth a 7th round gamble. Fullbacks The big name at this position is Brian Leonard (Rutgers) the generally opinion appears to be that Leonard is one of the top 60 prospects in this draft, yet common sense says that you don’t take a fullback that early, Leonard might be an exception, some say that he is the best full back to come out of college since Alstott (that all depends on what you think of Alstott as a full back) as he has played at both full back and running back hw could be an ideal successor, moved to fullback fulltime for his senior year to help out his team. While he may be the ideal replacement for Alstott, given how little Gruden has utilised Alstott as a runner its difficult to see how Leonard would be used. Jason Snelling (Virginia) is a full back who is more of a runner than a blocker, a decent lead blocker who could contribute at this position, is not the prospect that Leonard is and his draft position will demonstrate that but does still possess a similar skill set. Le’Ron McClain (Alabama) is more of a traditional fullback, a tough powerful blocker. He is not a natural runner although can be useful on short yardage situations, one of his best attributes however is his catching ability which could fit nicely into Gruden offence. If you want a fullback then McClain is the best prospect if you want a Mike Alstott type fullback then Leonard and the high draft pick he will demand is probably the best option.