Several personnel people said Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott is the best back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007 largely because he has no weaknesses. Credit: Associated Press

By of the

The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top running backs in the draft next week. Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.

RUNNING BACKS

1. EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, Ohio State (5-11 ½, 227, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior. "He is the only one with all the traits," said one scout. "He's got a chance to be the best player in the draft. He, (Joey) Bosa, (Laremy) Tunsil. He can catch it, he can pass protect, he's got NFL size and he can run. If he stays healthy he's going to be a (Adrian) Peterson-type back." Smartest RB in years (32 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test). "Football intelligence might be the best thing he has," another scout said. "He goes to the sidelines and tells the coaches the block protections. The coaches tell me he tells them what to do. To me, your intelligence is your blocking." Finished with 592 carries for 3,961 yards (OSU-record 6.7-yard average) and 43 touchdowns. Also caught 58 passes for 449. Played behind Carlos Hyde in 2013 before breaking out as a sophomore. Has undergone surgery twice on his left wrist. "Zeke just has the NFL mentality," said one scout. "Love the kid as a football player." From St. Louis.

2. DERRICK HENRY, Alabama (6-2 ½, 245, 4.54, 1-2): Third-year junior. "You don't think he's that fast until you actually see him in person," said one scout. "If the hole is initially defended, can he make that sudden change-of-direction move and get back to another seam? That's not his lifestyle. If he gets going north-south you better bring it, because he's going to get yards after contact. If it's muddy in Green Bay and it's the championship game and you've got to control the clock, I want Derrick Henry in my backfield." Better vertical jump (37 to 32 ½) and broad jump (10-10 to 9-10) than Elliott. "Doesn't have all the things you want but he's a 4.5 big guy who has some jump cut, some movement," another scout said. "He's a bitch on the perimeter. It takes him a minute to get rolling. You can get him early inside. But if he gets to the second level he's a man. And he proved he could catch in the workout." Finished with 602 carries for 3,591 (6.0) and 42 TDs to go with just 17 catches for 285. Wonderlic of 15. "He is Eddie George," a third scout said. "But, in today's football, they run the spread-option offense. The dilemma will be, can he play in today's spread? Is he too leggy? That's going to be his challenge." From Yulee, Fla. "In the NFL he will have to get his pad level down," a fourth scout said. "He runs too high."

3. DEVONTAE BOOKER, Utah (5-10 ½, 217, 4.52, 2): Former junior-college player from Sacramento, Calif. "He kind of does a little bit of everything well," said one scout. "Runs hard. Got hands. Not sudden or a blazer." Carried 560 times for 2,773 (5.0) and 21 TDs. Added 80 receptions for 624. "He'd be a starter you wouldn't really be excited about," another scout said. "He's a really good No. 2. Really good vision, quick feet, has a burst, good hands out of the backfield to catch. But he has put the ball on the ground (16 fumbles) and pass protection's not great." Improved from 8 to 15 on second attempt at the Wonderlic. "He's got a little character concern and some injury issues," said a third scout. "He's got quickness. He's got traits but he's not a complete guy."

4. KENNETH DIXON, Louisiana Tech (5-10, 219, 4.61, 2-3): "He's a solid, solid back," one scout said, echoing what many personnel people have said. Hard-worker who loves the game and always give it his best shot. "Good football player," said another scout. "I don't think he's explosive. His speed wasn't that good. But he can run, catch and block. Really good catcher. He's not special." His 87 TDs ranked second in NCAA history. Finished with 801 carries for school-record 4,480 (5.6) and 72 TDs, adding 88 receptions for 972. "Excellent production," said a third scout. "Some really good receptions down the field. He could get into the middle of the second round." From Strong, Ark.

5. JORDAN HOWARD, Indiana (6-0, 226, 4.59, 2-3): Third-year junior from Gardendale, Ala. "Just a country kid that's learning how to play big-time football," one scout said. "Some people classify him as the next Le'Veon Bell. He's an inside guy. I worry about his durability and just his work habits in the weight room. Smart kid (Wonderlic of 27)." When the Alabama-Birmingham program shut down after his second season he transferred immediately to Indiana. Rushed for 238 against Michigan, second most ever allowed by a Wolverine defense. Finished with 647 carries for 3,681 (5.7) and 24 TDs, adding 24 for 261 as a receiver. "He's a downhill inside runner," a second scout said. "He did play hurt this year (missed 18 quarters) and has a bad knee. Really an interesting guy."

6. C.J. PROSISE, Notre Dame (6-0½, 219, 4.46, 3): Fourth-year junior flourished in first season at RB after three at WR. "They actually thought he'd come back because it'd be the first time he ever was 'the big man on campus,'" said one scout. "You worry about his passion and love for the game. Kind of a basketball player mentality. You've really got to check his durability." Carried 166 times for 1,158 (7.0) and 12 TDs, adding 62 for 896 (14.5) as a receiver. "He's a big body that can run fast and catch the ball," another scout said. "You look at David Johnson last year, who was a big body but had great hands and could play on third down. That receiver background was definitely a positive as long as they have toughness, which I think Prosise does." From Petersburg, Va. "When he gets the ball on the toss he turns the corner and can break for a touchdown," a third scout said. "Faster than quick. I really didn't see quickness, and for a guy that's been a receiver he doesn't look like a natural catcher."

7. PAUL PERKINS, UCLA (5-10 ½, 206, 4.56, 3-4): Fourth-year junior. "He is a darting runner," one scout said. "He will run hard. He will run in the red zone hard. Not real big, but he has quick feet and good cut ability and vision. Near the goal line he's moving forward." His uncle, Don, was a six-time Pro Bowl RB for the Cowboys from 1961-'68. His dad, Bruce, was an NFL RB in 1990-'91. Finished with 622 carries for 3,491 (5.6) and 29 TDs, adding 80 receptions for 739. "Really good college player," one scout said. "Just doesn't have burst. Really good vision and feet but there's nothing dynamic about him." From Queen Creek, Ariz.

8. KENYAN DRAKE, Alabama (6-0 ½, 210, 4.38, 3-4): Career backup, effective covering kicks and one of the best kickoff returners in the draft. "He's either hit a home run or strikeout type of guy," one scout said. "You'll get some big plays and some negative plays. You can do a lot with this guy. Flush him out of the backfield; he's got really good hands. Looks like a big wideout. There were some maturity things early in his career (multiple suspensions). It's all about teams feeling comfortable with him as a person." Backed up Eddie Lacy, T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry. Finished with 233 carries for 1,495 (6.4) and 18 TDs, adding 46 catches for 570. "If he could just stay healthy he'd probably be a second-rounder," a second scout said. "The way he's built, I don't know if he'll ever be a guy to maintain health. He's got narrow hips. You wish he could get thicker. If he stays healthy, he'll be a strong weapon for a team. He puts his foot in the ground and can get vertical in a hurry." From Powder Spring, Ga.

9. ALEX COLLINS, Arkansas (5-10, 215, 4.59, 4): Third-year junior. "He's a tough, hard-nosed inside runner with enough speed and vision to get outside," one scout said. "Has hands. Can pick up the blitz. He's going to do it his way." Carried 665 times for 3,703 (5.7) and 36 TDs, adding 27 receptions for 167. "Kind of a bull in a china shop," a second scout said. "He runs hard, has some burst, tough. But he's not good in the passing game and I question his vision." From Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Added a third scout: "Just a banger. No speed. Ordinary."

10. TYLER ERVIN, San Jose State (5-10, 190, 4.39, 4-5): Led RBs in the vertical jump (39) and tied for second in the broad jump (10-10). "He's probably the best of the little guys," said one scout. "Somebody will take him in the fourth." Started 24 of 47 games, finishing with 528 carries for 2,803 (5.3) and 19 TDs to go with 87 catches for 783. "He's little but a real good athlete," another scout said. "Got big speed. Quick. He can take it to the house. He can catch it well. Like most small backs, he's not very good in protection." From Colton, Calif. Skilled barber with more than 35 clients. "Gimmick guy," a third scout said. "He'll fit New England the way they throw the ball out of the backfield."

11. JONATHAN WILLIAMS, Arkansas (5-10 ½, 218, 4.62, 4-5): Shared time with Collins in 2104, with both backs surpassing 1,000 yards. Sat out all of '15 following foot surgery in August. "Big, north and south guy," one scout said. "Will move the pile. He's just not a big part of the pass game. Physical in pass pro. When healthy, he can be a No. 2." Finished with 406 carries for 2,321 (5.7) and 16 TDs, adding 26 catches for 345. "He's hungry, great kid and can catch the ball," another scout said. "He's got the frame, the feet and the ability to be a three-down running back." From Allen, Texas.

12. DeANDRE WASHINGTON, Texas Tech (5-8 ½, 207, 4.47, 4-5): Led all RBs on the bench press with 24 reps. "He's not small," said one scout. "He's short. Dude is talented. He's like Devonta Freeman. He can pass pro. There's a difference between small and short." Impressed at the Senior Bowl as a runner and receiver. "Big-time ability," said another scout. "Dixon is bigger than this guy but this guy is so much quicker and faster. He's a better all-around player than Prosise. Height was the only thing I have against him." Finished with 605 carries for 3,411 (5.6) and 23 TDs, adding 124 catches for 1,091. From Missouri City, Texas. "I'll take him as a free agent," a third scout said. "Not draftable."

OTHERS: Josh Ferguson, Illinois; Wendell Smallwood, West Virginia; Kelvin Taylor, Florida; Tre Madden, Southern California; Daniel Lasco, California; Aaron Green, Texas Christian; Peyton Barber, Auburn; Keith Marshall, Georgia; Brandon Wilds, South Carolina; Darius Jackson, Eastern Michigan.

FULLBACKS

1. DAN VITALE, Northwestern (6-1, 240, 4.59, 4-5): Three-year starter at "superback." "He had a good combine workout," one scout said. "He played fullback, H-back, slot. He's not a blocker but he catches the ball. He's a cut (blocker) guy. He is quick. I had no idea he would run 4.59." Rushed merely six times for 29 but caught 135 for 1,427 (10.6) and 11 TDs. "Plays like an H-back, they just throw him the ball," another scout said. "Kind of a muscled-up kid. Not a very good blocker." From Wheaton, Ill., played at Warrenville South.

2. DEVON JOHNSON, Marshall (6-0 ½, 237, 4.64, 5-6): Backup TE in 2012-'13 before becoming a starting RB. Exploded for 1,767 yards in '14 but was limited to seven games as a senior because of injuries. "Just more of a big one-back," said one scout. "He runs very hard. Would rather run through guys than try to juke them. Even though he's a former tight end he doesn't catch the ball (well). He just doesn't have the mentality to be a blocker. He's hurt all the time." Several teams are projecting him to FB because of his size and pedestrian speed. Carried 305 times for 2,373 (7.8) and 25 TDs, adding 27 catches for 423. Improved Wonderlic from 7 to 15. From Richlands, Va.

3. ANDY JANOVICH, Nebraska (6-1, 238, 4.77, 6-7): Didn't start until senior year. "I don't know if he can play fullback, but he had a nice game against Southern Mississippi," said one scout. "He had like 100 yards in three or four (touches). He's quick and made some nice little adjustments, and he runs hard and he catches the ball well. He's quick as a lead blocker but he doesn't have the power to lead through. I still wouldn't draft him but I'd bring him in as a free agent." Carried 45 times for 271 (6.0) and three TDs and caught five for 87. Wonderlic of 29. From Gretna, Neb. "Not a bad blocker," another scout said. "Not real big."

OTHERS: Sione Houma, Michigan; Derek Watt, Wisconsin; Glenn Gronkowski, Kansas State; Soma Vainuku, Southern California; Quayvon Hicks, Georgia; Dakota Gordon, San Diego State; Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State; Will Ratelle, North Dakota.

***

UNSUNG HERO

Wendell Smallwood, RB, West Virginia: Third-year junior. Fast (4.41), undersized third-down back with tremendous hands and the fortitude to run inside. Weak in pass protection. Charged with witness intimidation in a 2014 murder case but charges were dropped. "They (school officials) said it looks 4,000 times worse than it ended up being," one scout said. "They love him there."

SCOUTS' NIGHTMARE

Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida: Father, Fred, is the leading rusher in Jaguars' history. Passed Emmitt Smith to become all-time leading rusher (12,121) in Florida prep history. From Belle Glade, Fla. Third-year junior with 2,108 yards. Problem is, he ran slowly (4.61), caught the ball poorly and posted a Wonderlic of 7 at the combine.

PACKERS' PICK TO REMEMBER

Gary Ellerson, RB, Wisconsin: Seventh-round draft choice in 1985 from Albany, Ga. Flashed considerable promise with 159 yards in the final two games of rookie season, then started six games in mid-1986. Underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 7, 1987, and was waived off injured reserve seven weeks later. Was the Lions' third-leading rusher with 196 yards in '88, his final season. Talk show host on WSSP-AM (1250) in Milwaukee.

QUOTE TO NOTE

NFL personnel man: "Most mistakes in the draft are made between January and April. It's because more people pollute the process and people forget about the film work."