For the first time in 50 years the NFL Draft‘s first round came and went without a single running back being selected. In uncharted waters, the running backs left in this draft are turning their sights to the second round where a handful of teams are looking for production out of the backfield. Undoubtedly, players like Eddie Lacy are eager to hear their name called as soon as possible.
Lacy was the only running back heading into the draft with a first-round grade, but when teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers passed on the back the first round turned to a slim possibility. This is a main worry for running backs in the high school and collegiate ranks considering the NFL is becoming so dependent on the passing game — the new found rules in the league are making it harder for a back to make his mark on the game.
The New York Jets have been rumored to do just about everything with the 39th overall pick, but I think they make the leap and select Lacy as the first running back. Lacy would give Rex Ryan and company the “ground and pound” runner that they so desperately need with Shonn Greene hitting the road. Later on in the second round teams like the Bengals and Dallas Cowboys are players for prospects like Jonhathan Franklin and Montee Ball to go flying off of the board.
Ball could be a hometown hero with the Green Bay Packers if indeed they decide to take a chance on the ex-Wisconsin Badger who made a habit out of setting collegiate records.
