In the weeks prior to the NFL Combine there had been some speculation that all-world Arkansas running back Darren McFadden was quietly falling down the NFL draft board. Once believed to be an easy top 5 pick, some pro scouts had the award winning runner slipping down to the latter part of the first round in this year’s draft. Other analysts had players like Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois rated ahead of McFadden.
Fast forward to this weekend’s NFL Combine, where the 6-1, 211 pound runner answered his biggest critics by turning in one of the most impressive performance at the yearly event held in Indianapolis. In front of all major NFL scouts, McFadden blazed his way to a 4.33 time in the 40 yard dash, this coming on the heels of an unofficial clocking of 4.27 during the first run. The time, which was the second best for a running back at the Combine, was even better than the one posted by last year’s NFL super rookie, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. Such a time will surely turn heads, and make GM’s think twice during the draft.
While McFadden may have his detractors, he has plenty of admirers among NFL executives and scouts. Some draft analyst will go as far as to declare McFadden the most talented of all the 334 players invited to the event. As far as talent goes, they say McFadden is in his own world. Along with having world class speed, the fabled Arkansas back is strong, agile, and blessed with great field vision. Add to that the fact that most scouts consider his solidly build frame to be the perfect body for an NFL running back, and his penchant for getting better as a the game wear on, and you would need to start considering him a franchise back.
If there are weakness in this this elite runner, it may rest in the heavy work load that he had during his three years at Arkansas, where he carried the ball 785 times during his career, gaining 4,590 yards in the process. Couple the work load with his tendency to run upright and he might take on a lot of wear and tear in the NFL too quickly. McFadden also needs work on his blocking skills, and he does not having the pass catching experience of a lot of the other runners in the draft.
Still, there is little to say that this two time Doak Walker Award winner (2006, 2007) is nothing short of a draft day gem. Anyone who saw his 321 yard rushing performance against South Carolina this past season would probably tend to agree. So impressive was McFadden’s college career that aside from winning the Doak Walker Award (given to the best runner in college football) twice, he also finished second in the balloting for the Heisman trophy these past two years.
As to where he will eventually end up come draft day, that decision hinges more on the needs of the teams drafting early, than on the talents and skills of McFadden. The Miami Dolphins who pick first overall this year are coming off a dreadful season that saw them finish 1-15. The team has so many holes to plug up, that they might pass up the heralded back, leaving perhaps the Falcon’s or the Raiders to draft McFadden. No matter who takes him, it’s a safe bet that Darren McFadden will be starting for the team by opening day. Look for a performance level similar to what the Vikings got from Adrian Peterson in 2007.
Sources:
“McFadden is clearly this year’s best draft prospect,” www.nfl.com
“Arkansas RB Darren McFadden Hasn’t Fallen on Every Draft Board,” www.sports.aol.com
