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A lot of the so called “NFL draft experts” feel that Arkansas running back Darren McFadden has clearly ran away as the top running back in this draft class. In the latest edition of PFC Rookie Battles we take an in depth look at if McFadden has clearly ran away from this race and if Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart really isn’t the number 1 back in this class.

Speed

In order to become a successful running back, you would of course need to possess speed. When looking at these two running back in the speed category, it really comes down to the wire but I’m going to have to give the edge to McFadden. The one knock when it comes to speed with Stewart would be he doesn’t have much of an explosion coming off the line of scrimmage. Besides that Stewart runs very hard but McFadden is very efficient in all speed categories and does a great job bursting off the line of scrimmage.

Strength

This is another difficult category when comparing the two rookies. If it comes down to running against the defenders the edge would go to McFadden. However when it comes down to overall strength the edge would have to go to Stewart. Stewart is nearly 20 pounds heavier than McFadden and all that is pure muscle. Both players are working extremely hard to get stronger but the edge would have to go to Stewart due to showing the most strength in college. One flaw against McFadden is that allot of scouts say that all his strength is in his upper body and he needs to do a better job improving his lower body strength.

Agility

When comparing the two running backs you definitely have to compare speed with agility. There can be a fast down the field running but how agile are they when avoiding tacklers? Darren McFadden would have to again get the edge here. McFadden does two great things when he approaches defenders. The first thing he does is he does whatever he can to stiff arm or juke a defender and if that doesn’t work then he isn’t shy to just flat out run you over.

Blocking Ability

Having a great blocker in the backfield provides the quarterback an extra person who can do whatever he can to give the quarterback more time to get the pass off. When you look at the top running backs today like Ladanian Tomilson and Adrian Peterson, they both do a good job blocking defenders. With that said, the blocking edge would have to go to Jonathan Stewart. Stewart has shown that he would do whatever he can to stay upright to give his quarterback enough time to get the throw off. McFadden however, if he has anything he definitely needs to work at it would be his blocking ability.

Ball Control

The so called NFL “media” likes to portray Darren McFadden as “superman” and that he really doesn’t have any flaws. Along with his blocking ability or lack thereof we are going to have to look at his ball handling skills. Although the 20 year old junior really didn’t fumble allot, when I look at his game film I just get nervous the way he handles the ball. If you have a chance look at the way Stewart handles the ball compared to the way McFadden does and you will notice that McFadden definitely needs to change his ball handling skills or he will have a huge problem with fumbling in the NFL.

Vision

If you watch any game film of your favorite NFL running backs then look at there eyes the second they get the ball, they think 2 seconds ahead and show great vision control of the field. When looking at this category you will have to give this edge to McFadden due to the fact that he has tremendous eye control and thinks ahead of the defenders while Stewart keeps his eyes on the ball instead of on the field which can definitely be a draw back in the NFL.

Character

If anyone has read the news lately then this category will definitely be a no brainier. Darren McFadden has done whatever he can to not get in trouble but it always follows him. He has been quoted in the paper recently saying the past 2 arrest incidents was only because he was defending his brother. When I read that quote the first thing I thought of was why didn’t Darren, his agent or his agency have a sit down the first second they signed McFadden with his family and say that Darren cannot get into any trouble? That simply wasn’t done and I am a big fan of you are only as guilty as the crowd you hang around with ala Pacman Jones.

Receiving Ability

If any of the NFL quarterbacks in this league would have a say in what they would look for in a quarterback in would be any of these aforementioned categories and whether or not they have great hands to catch the ball. Both players have posted double digits in receptions, the past few seasons but who has done a better control with limiting the drop passes? The answer would be Jonathan Stewart due to him catching passes that some running backs would deem as uncatchable. His durability to make the catch and the effort he has shown is flat out impressive. McFadden on the other hand, has had some drop passes in his collegiate career and not only drop passes but passes that would be deem easy by other running backs.

These ratings may raise some eyebrows but the proof is definitely in the pudding. According to these rating, Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart would prevail 5-3.