Eddie Lacy

Lacy isn't likely to follow Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram into the first round, but he has shown enough natural running skills to go along with his bullish frame to prove he's hardly just a product of Alabama's terrific offensive line. Lacy redshirted in 2009 but quickly flashed star potential once given an opportunity. In his first collegiate game (San Jose State), Lacy rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on only 13 carries, and he ended the year in similar fashion against a talented Michigan State squad in the Capital One Bowl by rushing for 86 yards, including touchdown scampers of 62 and 12 yards. He emerged as the top backup behind Richardson in 2011, finishing second on the team with 674 yards (averaging 7.1 per attempt!) and seven touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 139 yards. With Richardson now the focal point of the Cleveland Browns' offense, Lacy enjoyed a spectacular breakout junior season. Although overshadowed at times by true freshman TJ Yeldon, Lacy was strong down the stretch, with a career-high 181 rushing yards against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game followed by 140 rushing yards in the BCS title game, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors. He finished the 2012 season with 1,322 rushing yards on 204 carries (6.5 average) and 17 touchdowns, earning First Team All-SEC honors. While Lacy's mediocre pro day workout raises red flags about his conditioning, there is no question he possesses the talent to be a bell-cow back at the next level. Lacy is a powerful between-the-tackles runner who can knock defenders to the ground. He's also possesses very light feet and excellent balance, often slipping past would-be tacklers with a lethal spin move. Lacy is also a gifted receiver out of the backfield and has proven both alert and physical in pass protection, making it likely he'll be able to step in and contribute immediately as a rookie. Even with the less-than-stellar numbers, Lacy is likely to join his former teammates as the first running back selected in their respective draft classes.

he's a well-built back, but shows good balance (including an often-used spin move) and athleticism (leaping ability) to surprise defenders anticipating that all he has is power. runs tough and determined with an angry attitude to finish each run and pick up positive yardage.

WEAKNSESSES

strengths

Has the leg drive to push the pile and keeps his legs churning through contact, often resulting in broken tackles. Lacy reads his blocks nicely, showing enough lateral agility to avoid defenders as well as the burst to stick his foot in the ground and accelerate through gaps quickly.

michael bush, rb, chicago bears - both have the power to run over defenders while also possessing surprisingly fluid feed for their big frames.

--Rob Rang

needs to stay healthy as he's been hampered at times with foot injuries (ankle sprains, turf toe). put the ball on the ground a few times early in his career, but improved in this area. lacks elite top-end speed, clocking a pedestrian 4.58 and 4.62 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his pro day.

COMPARES TO

Lacy was Rivals.com's No. 13 running back nationally and No. 116 on the Rivals250

in the ESPNU150 and the 17th-best running back

Scout.com lists Lacy as the No. 24 running back nationally and No. 61 on the Southeast 150. SuperPrep All-American and the publications No. 28 running back

a four-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com

an All-American by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report

garnered first-team 5A All-State honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association

No. 54 on The Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120

member of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100. Played only seven games during his senior year due to injuries, but still managed 1,046 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns

earned LSWA 5A All-State honors after rushing for 1,800 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior in 2007

rushed for 1,207 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2006

coached by Benny Saia

chose Alabama over Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi, Mississippi State and LSU.