Not to be mistaken for FFX rankings, this is just an observation from a different perspective.

#1 Knowshon Moreno (Georgia) 5-11 wt:208
     With otherworldly body control that's downright Barry Sanders-esque, Moreno can change direction on a dime.  He has a low center of gravity and powerful leg drive, which should allow him to pick up extra yards against NFL defenders.  A natural receiver out of the backfield, he also thrives in blitz pick-up because of his intelligence and toughness.  Moreno produced last season despite playing one of the nations toughest schedules.  Downside: While his speed is above average, it's certainly not elite.  And because he often played just two downs at a time for Georgia, he has yet to prove that he's a true workhorse.  BottomLine: The most complete rusher in this draft class, Moreno is a special talent and potential franchise back.

#2 LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh) 5-11 wt:202
     One of the fastest players at any position in this draft, McCoy possesses excellent balance and vision, and he shows great burst once he hits the hole.  His production was outstanding at Pitt despite the lack of a passing game to help keep opposing defenses honest.  A capable receiver out of the backfield, he also has the ability to make plays split out wide.  Downside: He still goes east-west a little too often, and McCoy's relatively small frame will make it hard for him to push the pile in the NFL.  He also has to become more physical in blitz pick-up situations.  BottomLine: McCoy is a versatile running/receiving threat out of the backfield.  With his home run speed, he could end up becoming a game-changer in the NFL.

#3 Chris Wells (Ohio St) 6-1 wt:237
     Wells has the best size/speed combo among this year's running back class.  He runs with tremendous power and dishes out nasty stiff-arms.  Wells also has the speed to out-run defensive backs, making him a big-play threat any time he gets through the second level.  He has good vision and excellent burst.  Downside: Wells is an upright runner who takes a beating.  Compounding the problem is the fact that he doesn't know how to play through injuries, missing time with what many considered a minor foot injury last season.  Wells is also not much of an option as a receiver.  BottomLine: He's a true No.1 back, a bruiser in the Adrian Peterson mold.  But if injuries follow Wells to the next level, he could be an immense disappointment.

#4 Shonn Greene (Iowa) 5-11 wt:235
    Greene was almost moved to defensive back at the end of 2006 and then missed all of 2007 with academic troubles.  He capitalized on his first real shot in the Hawkeyes backfield last season, using a powerful build and excellent leg drive to average six yards per carry.  His low center of gravity makes him difficult to tackle, and with so few touches in his college career, Greene has a lot of mileage left.  Downside: Greene didn't show much as a receiver, and considering his academic struggles, he might struggle to digest an NFL playbook.  BottomLine: He's not particularly well-rounded player, but Greene's power should make him a very effective back on first and second downs.

#5 Donald Brown (Connecticut) 5-10 wt:210
     A shifty back with excellent vision, Brown might have been the most creative runner in college football last season.  He runs with decent power and a good pad level, and always seems to keep his legs going.  He showed the ability to gain yardage inside, and to turn the corner on the perimeter.  Brown is also a solid pass catcher, and, obviously, you can't ignore his outstanding production.  Downside: He's not a true home run threat, and Brown may not have enough power to push the pile in the NFL.  He also logged a ton of carries at UConn, so there's some wear and tear.  BottomLine: He may not be a superstar, but Brown has the versatility to be a quality 3-down starter in the NFL.

#6 Jeremiah Johnson (Oregon) 5-9 wt:198
     A complete back with the quickness to elude tacklers on the second level, Johnson possesses the speed and vision to score every time he touches the ball.  He's a natural receiver who can make plays lined up out wide, and he has the ability to contribute as a return man.  Downside: Johnson never carried a full-time load for the Ducks, and he suffered a major knee injury in 2007.  He's on the small side and might have trouble holding up if asked to carry a typical feature-back workload.  Johnson has to learn to stop looking for the home run on every play, running east-west when he should be going north-south.  BottomLine: Given his speed and versatility, Johnson could end up being a gamebreaker as a part-time back.

#7 Glen Coffee (Alabama) 6-2 wt:204
     Coffee is a bruising north-south runner who will get his yards on the next level.  He runs with a good, low pad level and has good vision; he'll pick a hole and hit it hard.  Coffee is effective on the goal line and, because he only had a full workload for one season, doesn't have a lot of wear and tear.  Downside: Coffee still needs to add some bulk if he's going to hold up inside, and he doesn't have home run speed.  He also isn't going to be much help in the passing game – while his hands are serviceable, he's not great transitioning from the catch to turning upfield.  BottomLine: Coffee has the burst and north-south style to be a solid, if not spectacular runner in the NFL.

#8 Javon Ringer (Michigan St) 5-9 wt:205
     A stout back who runs with excellent balance and vision, Ringer is a strong runner with impressive power for his size.  He is also a strong pass-catcher out of the backfield and a very willing pass protector.  Downside: He faded very badly down the stretch last season – after averaging 152.6 YPG and 4.6 YPC over the first nine games of 2008, Ringer averaged 66.0 YPG and 2.9 YPC over the final four – and he needed his knee scoped after the season.  He probably lacks the size to be a workhorse on the next level and isn't a burner either.  Ringer's NFL shelf life would likley be shorter than most.  BottomLine: His versatility and toughness give him an edge, but Ringer looks like a time-share runner.

#9 Andre Brown (North Carolina St) 6-0 wt:224
     Andre Brown is a big back and absolutely punishing runner who has the ability to run through tacklers when he lowers his pads. He’s a patient back with good vision. And unlike a lot of big backs, Brown will contribute in the passing game – he has good hands coming out of the backfield and will anchor as a pass protector. Downside if any, is that he runs a little too upright, and considering he’s not an elusive runner and has an injury history – he missed time with a broken foot in 2007 and needed a second surgery on it last spring – durability could be an ongoing issue. Brown also lacks breakaway speed. He’s not durable enough to be a workhorse, but Brown has the power and versatility to be a solid part-time back.

#10 Rashad Jennings (Liberty) 6-1 wt:234
A dominant runner at FCS level, Jennings is an absolute beast with good feet for his size.  More than just a between-the-tackles bruiser, he is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and very strong in pass protection.  He might be coming from a small school, but as a freshman in 2005 Jennings proved he could handle a higher level of competition when he ran well in part-time duty for Pitt.  Downside: Jennings doesn't run with the power you'd expect for a guy his size.  And while he has good feet, he's far from a burner.  BottomLine: While there might be an adjustment period in the NFL, Jennings has the skills to be an effective part-time back, or possibly a workhorse.

#11 Devin Moore (Wyoming) 5-9 wt:191
     Moore is one of the fastest – if not the fastest – players in the draft.  He can be deadly in the open field, possessing the elusiveness to evade tacklers and is nearly impossible to catch from behind.  Downside: Moore is very much an east-west runner who must make quicker decisions.  He has decent enough hands, but he doesn't look natural making a catch and turning upfield.  Moore is on the small side and won't hold up in pass protection, which could keep him off the field on 3rd downs.  He has experience returning kicks, but not fielding punts.  BottomLine: Speed can't be taught, and it gives Moore loads of upside.  He has to improve in just about every other facet if he wants to be more than just a return specialist.

#12 Cedric Peerman (Virginia) 5-10 wt:207
     Peerman is among the best multi-purpose backs in this draft.  He's got decent size, and his outstanding vision and powerful legs make him capable of chewing up yards between the tackles.  Peerman also has good hands out of the backfield and experience returning kicks.  Downside: He's not an elusive runner, especially after the catch, and Peerman lacks great top-end speed.  He also has especially small hands, which could lead to fumbling problems at the next level.  Peerman held up for only one full season as a starter, missing a chunk of 2007 with a foot injury.  BottomLine: Peerman's versatility will make him at least a valuable back-up, and he seems to have an outside shot at emerging as a starter.

#13 James Davis (Clemson) 5-11 wt:207
     Davis is a powerful runner who may have posted huge numbers had he not been stuck in a time share with C.J. Spiller.  He's a patient runner with good vision and shows a good burst hitting the hole.  He becomes difficult to handle once he starts going down-field.  Downside: He was a disappointment as a senior, as Davis isn't a home run hitter because of average speed and limited wiggle.  He's sub par as a receiver, and he struggles badly at times in pass protection.  He might never be able to stay on the field on 3rd downs in the NFL.  BottomLine: Davis has some upside in a one-cut system, but his lack of versatility will keep him from being anything more than a rotational back.

#14 Antone Smith (Florida St) 5-9 wt:190
     Like former 'Noles Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker, Smith is a slippery runner with good quickness and the ability to make tacklers miss.  He also started to show more decisiveness in his running last season, proving capable of succeeding between the tackles.  Smith is also a solid receiver out of the backfield.  Downside: He's undersized, and Smith doesn't have the speed to match a lot of smaller backs.  He also dealt with nagging injuries throughout his college career, so durability is likely going to be a problem at the next level.  He also has no experience returning kicks.  BottomLine: There's little chance he'll become a full-time player, but Smith could be an effective change-of-pace back.

#15 Kory Sheets (Purdue) 5-11 wt:203
     Sheets is a multi-purpose back who was productive in every facet at Purdue.  He has a compact build, good feet and decent speed, and he runs with a good pad level.  Sheets also has reliable hands out of the backfield and can contribute as a kick returner.  Downside: Uneven as a runner, Sheets often seems indecisive approaching the line and sometimes gives up too early on runs.  He also isn't the kind of ideal burner NFL teams look for in an all-purpose back.  BottomLine: Sheets has more upside than you'd think for a four-year starter, but he must land with the right coach if he's going to become a starter.  He should at least be able to fill a role as a versatile back-up.

#16 Aaron Brown (Texas Christian) 6-1 wt:196
     An extremely dangerous player in space, Brown is very shifty and possesses great top-end speed.  He shows a nice burst once he gets to the hole and is a very dangerous return man.  He's also a decent receiver with good hands and the ability to turn it up field.  Downside: Brown doesn't really have a position – he's tall and runs very upright, which will make it difficult to survive as a runningback, but he has little experience lining up out wide.  He's certainly not a physical player and will have to make a big adjustment to the contact of the NFL.  BottomLine: Although he's unlikely to ever earn a traditional full-time role, Brown is an intriguing player for both his versatility and game-breaking potential.

#17 Gatrell Johnson (Colorado St) 5-11 wt:222
     Johnson's stock skyrocketed after his 375 yards from scrimmage against Fresno St in the New Mexico Bowl.  He has a compact build and seems to love contact, dishing out punishment and pushing the pile in short-yardage situations.  He shows good burst and vision on inside runs, picks up blitzes well, and has the toughness to move to fullback.  Downside: Johnson doesn't have the speed to out-run defenders and can be chased down from behind rather easily.  And while he has good hands, he's not fast enough to get out into routes and struggles to catch anything that's not a screen or dump-off.  BottomLine: His toughness and versatility will earn him a role, whether as a time share runner or blocking back.

#18 Tyrell Sutton (Northwestern) 5-8 wt:210
     A compact runner with speed and agility, Sutton shows nice burst and always runs hard.  He has natural hands and runs solid routes coming out of the backfield.  He earned high marks for character and attitude at Northwestern.  Downside: Sutton is undersized, and he has the injury history to match, including ankle, shoulder, and wrist problems.  He's unlikely to stay healthy if playing a significant role in the NFL, and he lacks pure home run speed to be a desirable change-of-pace back.  He also needs a lot of work when it comes to picking up blitzes.  BottomLine: His attitude and versatile skill set give him a chance to develop into a serviceable 3rd down back, but durability will likely always be a problem.

#19 Arian Foster (Tennessee) 6-1 wt:232
     Foster is a big back with nimble feet for a player his size.  He runs with a good pad level and great balance.  He's also patient, heady runner who waits for his blocks and consistently gets into the right hole.  He has good hands and is a capable pass protector.  Downside: Talk about going out with a whimper-Foster was a total bust as a senior and showed absolutely no burst.  He doesn't have much speed, and he seemed to have even less after knee surgery last winter.  He also doesn't run with enough power to push the pile.  BottomLine: Foster is shaping up to be little more than a back-up runner, but he's versatile enough to stick in the NFL.  There's a chance he could become a fullback in a West Coast offense.

#20 Brad Lester (Auburn) 5-11 wt:192
     Lester shows good vision and burst at the line.  He runs hard and has the speed to break off the big play, and he is also a fluid receiver with good hands.  Downside: Name an injury, and he's had it – quad,groin,neck,knee.  He is undersized and more of a straight-line runner who doesn't avoid contact, so injuries will likely remain a problem.  Lester also has some character red flags, drawing an academic suspension as well as one for violating team rules while at Auburn.  BottomLine: Lester could potentially be an asset in a one-cut system, with the skills to become an effective starter.  But off-the-field issues are a real possibility, and Lester will have a tough time holding up.