State of the Nation

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By Seth Carson

10. Mikel Leshoure, Detroit Lions

The Lions brought him in looking for a back that could produce big gains and hit the 1,000-yard mark.

Unfortunately for the Lions and their fans, he was just another average back that couldn’t bring enough relief to the passing game. 

He tends to carry his body high, and his cutting ability isn’t the best in the league. The Lions hoped for a savior and found a dud.

9. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

Williams was a bright name coming out of Memphis as the 27^th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.  His first two years were sluggish as he learned the system; then he took off and showed the makings of a great running back by putting up back to back 1,000-yard seasons in 2008 and 2009. 

He suffered an injury the following season and his game never fully recovered as his production keeps decreasing yearly. It could be argued that Williams deserves part of the blame for Cam Newton’s rough sophomore season.

8. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos

McGahee is up there in years (31) and his ability to remain healthy and a potent weapon from the backfield continues to diminish. To his credit, McGahee did put up 731 yards rushing this season, but he’s quickly fading, and soon to be 32-year-old backs are easily replaced in this league. 

The Broncos don’t have anything better in Moreno, so the Broncos would be wise to add a young RB via the Draft or free agency. McGahee is finished, and Moreno took off like a bottle rocket without a stick.

7. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden has been a huge disappointment for the Raiders, who selected him fourth overall in the 2008 Draft. He’s had only one 1,000-yard season in his first five years, and has averaged only 667 yards a season. He’s a bust pick the Raiders have held onto for far too long. What else is there really left to say?

6. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray was another pick that was thought to usher in some backfield support for Tony Romo and the passing game. However, since being drafted as the 71^st overall pick, Murray has had trouble staying healthy, and when healthy, he simply can’t perform to the standards of a starting NFL running back. 

A weak ground game can hurt a solid passing game, but the Cowboys possessed only one this season, and he threw a season ending pick. Time to find the next big Cowboys running back that’s been missing ever since Emmitt Smith departed.

 

 

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