{mosimage} Though Darren McFadden has been the running back getting the bulk of the attention after this year's NFL combine, Jonathan Stewart might just be the best all around runner entering the draft.

The powerfully built Stewart is a punishing between the tackles runner, who also happens to possess the speed and explosiveness necessary to bounce a run to the outside. As is the trait of most good runners, Stewart also has the vision to spot a hole quickly, and the patience to let the hole develop before running through it. Blessed with a great pair of hands, he can also be used as a receiver out of the backfield, or a return man.

If he has an Achilles' heel, it might just be his overall penchant for initiation contact with the opposition. It is a trait that often leaves his body exposed to the debilitating effects associated with taking too man hits during a run.

Still, this throwback to the days of Earl Campbell, Larry Csonka and John Riggins, remains an intriguing prospect this year, and one who did not hurt his chances by taking part in the NFL Combine. At the Combine, Stewart ran a 4.48 for the 40 (he is said to have clocked a 4.34 hand timed in 2006), and did a spectacular 28 reps on the bench. His athletic ability was also showcased when he placed second among running backs in the event's vertical leap.

Stewart enjoy an excellent 2007 season at Oregon, where he finished as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award. His season featured a 251 yard rushing performance against Washington, and a 301 all-purpose yard effort against Stanford. By season's end, Steward had amassed 1,722 yards rushing, 614 returning, and 145 yards receiving, to end his collegiate career with 4,175 all-purpose yards. The total placed him 5th of the school's all-time list.

In conjunction with the draft, Stewart's recently had to have surgery for a condition known as "turf toe." Though he is to recover fully in three months time, the surgery might just drop the runner out of the first round. This however has not kept his name from being batted about by serval NFL teams, chief among them lately is the Dallas Cowboys, where it is said that he ranks third among running backs on the team's overall draft board. If both McFadden and Felix Jones are gone before him, look for Dallas to try to maneuver into position for a chance at landing Stewart. If his value falls due to the injury, he might be a great pick by the team in a future round. The fact that Julius Jones has left through free agency would lend even more urgency to the team needing another running back, and if that runner turns out to be Jonathan Stewart, Dallas can't go wrong.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Lloyds Apple said:

	I've followed Stewart pretty closely since he was recruited as a top flight guy in HS. To answer the question, hell yeah he's a first rounder. He has surprising speed and his balance and power is amazing. This guy is a unique talent.
	report abuse vote down vote up

March 26, 2008
Votes: +0

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment