Draft Preview: Running Backs

I really miss Clinton Portis. That's all.

Travis Henry was signed for a big chunk of money, so obviously he and his beard will be carrying the rock for the majority of the year, and that's fine. I expect 1300 yards and 12-15 touchdowns out of him. Behind him is Mike Bell, who'll be good for a few hundred yards and a couple Tecmo Bowl Leaps at the goal line, and Cedric Cobbs, who's, um, also on the roster. Cecil Sapp might also get some carries at the tailback spot.

None of that will ever stop the Broncos from drafting a running back, because Shanahan loves running backs. Much is made about Denver's ability to plug anyone into the system and be effective, but LT Levine, Curtis Alexander, Chris Howard, Olandis Gary, Quentin Griffin, Ahmaad Galloway, and the Hands of Crisco disagree, to varying degrees. there really is a method to the madness- it's not just "toss a dart at a wall full of fast black guys and hope for the best." I don't see Denver picking a back early, but some later round possibilities should include:

• DeShawn Wynn Florida 5'10" 232 lbs 4.48
• Selvin Young Texas 5'11" 207 lbs 4.60
• Gary Russell Minnesota 5'10" 229 4.77

Personally, I like Selvin Young a lot, and I'd like Gary Russell a lot more if he wasn't a complete dumbass. He reminds me way too much of Maurice Clarett without the hatchet. Another intriguing option would be Michael Bush, if he fell to the late third round. With Denver's depth, they could afford to sit on him for a year just to recover from the broken leg, and then start him in 2008. One thing that gives me pause are the questions about how hard he hits the hole, and I've seen way too much of Ron Dayne already.