NFL Draft Prospects: C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Clemson Tigers E-mail
Written by MC3 Sports Media   
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 00:05

cjspiller1The college football season is over; withdrawals, depression, misery. Before you slip into an apathetic stupor for eight months, remember that the NFL Draft is just around the corner! From now until April's NFL Draft, I will be profiling some of the more interesting prospects. I can't promise that I'll get to your favorite player, but if you'd like to see a certain player profiled, shoot us an email and let us know.

- 2010 NFL Draft Player Rankings by Position

I know I've already profiled a running back, but C.J. Spiller, like Dexter McCluster, is a do-everything type of back who has teams at the next level eager to enlist his services. Unlike McCluster, however, Spiller better fits the NFL running back mold; he has 30 pounds on McCluster as well as a few inches.

In the previous profile I concluded that McCluster was unlikely to develop into an every down back in the pros and will more likely be used as an 'X-Factor'; that is returning kicks, running the wildcat, lining up in the slot and, of course, carrying the ball.

Spiller will definitely be an X-Factor at the next level, but also gives teams the option to line him up as an every down running back. I look for Spiller to pay his dues returning kicks and serving as a third down back and perhaps even running the wildcat in his rookie season, but I also look for him to develop a more traditional role as time goes by.

cjspiller2He is more comparable to Chris Johnson than is McCluster, who some have compared to the Titans running back, not only because of his size, but what he is able to do when he touches the ball. I like that Spiller, like Johnson, does not rely too much on his jukes and doesn't 'over-juke' defenders to work his magic. While there is certainly room for that in the NFL, players who relied exclusively on those fancy moves in college tend not to pan out as well in the NFL (i.e. Reggie Bush). Of course, there are exceptions like the great Barry Sanders, but few nobody is able to do what Barry did on a regular basis.

Like Johnson, Spiller has phenomenal breakaway speed. If you did not have the pleasure of watching Spiller run butt-wild through opposing defenses, check out this video. Both Spiller and Johnson have the speed and burst to take the corner on just about anybody who gives them even a sliver of an angle. There may be a learning curve in competing against professional defenses, but something tells me we'll see Spiller in somebody's backfield sooner rather than later.

That 'somebody' may be the Seattle Seahawks who have tried everybody short of Gary Payton at running back in the last few seasons. The list is endless: Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris, Leonard Weaver, Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett, Justin Forsett and Edgerrin James. Nobody has worked out since Alexander's MVP season in 2005.

spiller2Seattle picks 6th and 14th in this year's draft, so they really should have no problem nabbing Spiller. He is not 6th pick-caliber, though, but may fall to 14 thanks to a little dumb luck on Seattle's part.

Cleveland picking at 7 could use a running back, but that is still high for Spiller (watch for a curveball, but the Browns could use help at just about every position). After that, Oakland, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Denver, Miami and San Francisco are set at the position so Pete Carroll may just walk away with a top ten talent with the 14th pick.

Spiller's competition at the position is Jahvid Best, who could garner attention from teams in the upper part of the first round, but ultimately Spiller will prevail as the draft's top running back. - Danny Hobrock

  • For more player profiles and complete coverage of this Year's NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft Prospects Home Page with new profiles being added each week.

Danny is a sports journalist primarily covering college football and professional baseball. His work for Xtra Point Football has garnered national attention and is critically acclaimed. Danny is the former editor of a political and current events website and the editor of our college football content.

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Comments (1)Add Comment
Nice!
written by Harold H, January 25, 2010
Love the profiles. Great idea!

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