Top Running Back Short List - 4/24/13

Here is the RB list. I weighted it 60/40% on production as I did WR & TE. The measurables I used did not vary as much with running backs with the exception of Christine Michael who was really the only standout. Barner was a distant 2nd in measurables and was a touchdown machine which helped him jump up the rankings.

I used combined rushing & receiving yds as well as touchdowns. Here is the list:

1.*Eddie Lacy, Alabama 2.18
2. Kenjon Barner, Oregon 1.61
3. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina 1.56
4. Christine Michael, Texas A&M 1.53
5. *Gio Bernard, North Carolina 1.50
6. Montee Ball, Wisconsin 1.37
7. Joseph Randle, Oklahoma St. 1.16
8. Mike Gillislee, Florida 1.09
9. Andre Ellington, Clemson 0.93
10. *Le'Veon Bell, Michigan St. 0.86
11. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA 0.78
12. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford 0.71

Just some interesting things I came across in the research... The top two rookies Alfred Morris & Doug Martin ran a 4.67sec and 4.55 sec 40yd dash respectively. Arian Foster ran a 4.69sec 40yd in his pro day. I was analyzing all the 1000+ rushers of 2012 and the top 5 in 2011 and found that 63% of the top backs were underclassmen (12 of 19 total. Shonn Greene came out as a Soph.)

Ok... running out of time.. I'll make a quick stab at QB, re-rank the other positions with a 60/40 weighting and then do a quick mock for the 49ers....stay tuned and keep moneballin'!

For all the positions I've done so far check out:
http://moneyballer.blogspot.com/

BTW Lattimore did not have measurables so I just used the average rating for him...

Imo Christine Michael is by far the best rb hope we get him in the 4th

I need to watch tape, but in essence I want a big dude of a power back like Le'Veon Bell.