Big backs easy to see in NFL draft but still tough to find

Knile Davis looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate while rushing for 1,322 yards in the 2010 season, including 139 vs. Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. But he was damaged goods in 2011 and 2012. (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)

When an NFL team wants to play offense in a one-back formation, most of the time that running back has to be big enough to work in the middle the field and be able to run with power when power is needed.

He also has to be quick enough to bounce a play outside and work the edges.

That means the Broncos must make a decision at the running back position heading toward the April 25-27 draft.

Willis McGahee has been the Broncos' primary back the last two seasons. In his first season with the Broncos, he gained 1,199 yards and earned a trip to Hawaii as an injury replacement in the Pro Bowl.

McGahee was averaging 4.4 yards per carry when a knee injury ended his 2012 season, but his four lost fumbles tied him for the league lead among running backs at the time of his injury.

He has two years remaining on his contract and turns 32 on Oct. 20.

Typically, an NFL tailback's performance doesn't erode slowly. It tends to slam to a halt, so Denver has reason to be concerned about McGahee.

Running backs are a roll of the dice in free agency. If they were to get involved there, the Broncos would be trying to sign an older player to replace an older player. And there are miles on the odometer and injuries to consider.

The draft has been known to have potholes at the position, especially for a team searching for more size at running back. With the proliferation of the spread offense in the college game, the 210-pound running back is becoming a football petroglyph.

Of the 37 running backs invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this month, only 16 were listed by their college teams as weighing at least 210 pounds. Several will weigh less than that when they're put on the scale in Indianapolis.

So the Broncos will be picking from a smaller pool of players while on the hunt for a tailback with more bulk.

Several bigger backs available in this draft have injury concerns. They include South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore, who has been invited to the combine but won't work out. He is recovering from a knee injury.

Arkansas' Knile Davis may create the most divergent opinions among NFL scouts. He missed the 2011 season because of a broken ankle. Last year, he rushed for only 377 yards and averaged just 3.7 yards per carry.

Davis probably will weigh more than 220 pounds at the scouting combine. He led Southeastern Conference running backs in 2010 with 1,322 yards and averaged 147 yards over the last seven games. He closed that season with 139 yards against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

Some draft reports don't have Davis among the top-25 running backs available, but several teams have him among the top six at the

position.

Stanford's Stepfan Taylor is a tailback with good size who will continue to rise on draft boards. Taylor displayed a get-it-done, no-frills style at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell, an early draft entry who led the Big Ten in rushing last year and had three 200-yard games, was listed by the Spartans as weighing 236 pounds. In his Michigan State career, he had 33 touchdowns rushing and 78 receptions.

Jeff Legwold: jlegwold@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jeff_legwold

Source: http://feeds.denverpost.com/~r/dp-sports/~3/4RvOJYIaDtE/big-backs-easy-see-nfl-draft-but-still

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