Where has the value of the running back gone? Once the cornerstone of any fantasy championship team, they are now taking a backseat in today's pass happy NFL. With teams employing committee style backfields, the true Beasts with rare talent and great situations are as valuable as ever.  There is however, plenty of talent that can still be found and situation will have significant relevance. The 2011 Draft Class has a number of potential impact backs, but outside of Mark Ingram, Mikel LeShoure and a handful of others, it lacks true 3 down prospects. Excelling as part of a committee with limited touches is crucial. Let's take a look at the potential impact RB prospects of the 2011 NFL Draft..

Beast Potential - A cornerstone only reserved for the truly elite prospects. Example from 2010 - Ryan Mathews
Starter Potential - Will never be elite but a long term, reliable starter is a high probability. Example - Ben Tate
Raw Product - This player has tremendous upside, but also comes with a huge amount of risk. If things break right, though, a Beast or definite starter could be had. Example - LeGarrette Blount
Developmental Product - These players are extremely raw talents but possess the upside necessary to eventually grow into legit flex options and maybe someday weekly starters on your Dynasty roster. Example - Deji Karim

----------------------------------

Mark Ingram

College: Alabama (Junior)
Height-Weight: 5'10" 215 lbs.
Upside: Beast Potential
Player Comparison: Frank Gore
Comments: 2009 Heisman Winner Mark Ingram is as close as this Draft Class has to a can't miss RB prospect. A knee injury last summer halted any chance of a repeat of his 20 TD, 1,900+ yard sophomore season. That same knee injury has been rumored to be scaring some teams off as we close in on the draft. Couple that with the lack of interest in franchise type RB's at the moment and you have what could be a late first, early second round prospect. On talent alone, that would be a steal. He possesses excellent bulk, size and lower body strength, along with elite vision and the ability to break tackles. Ingram is also a very capable receiver out of the backfield and improved pass protection would keep him on the field even more. He could run with a bit more power and while his game speed is above average, it is by no means elite. He's a versatile prospect that could anchor a rushing attack for years to come.
Tools/Skillset: Bell Cow Ingram may not have top speed or elite pass catching ability, but he does have a total package necessary for fantasy success. If healthy, he's a true 3 down RB with Top 10 Upside.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 1st Round - Top 5 Selection

------------------------------

Mikel LeShoure

College: Illinois (Junior)
Height-Weight: 6'0" 225 lbs.
Upside: Beast Potential
Player Comparison: Steven Jackson
Comments: LeShoure put himself firmly on the prospect map with a breakout 2010 season for the Illini, with 17 TD's and just shy of 1,700 rushing yards. He chipped in almost 200 yards and 3 more TD's through the air. LeShoure runs with power, but also has the athletic ability to become elite. He only has one season of being a workhorse, which means he is not as proven as some other prospects. But, it also means he has significantly less wear and tear on his tires. He has had conditioning issues earlier in his career, but seems committed to becoming an excellent pro. He isn't going to wow you with his moves or speed, but has the ability to chew up chunks of yardage quickly and wear down defenses over the course of a game.
Tools/Skillset: Bell Cow LeShoure's upside is sky high and if he lands on a team committed to pounding the ground game, he'll develop into a Beast.  Keep in mind that RB's in the Illini rushing attack experience a bit of a learning curve (latest example Rashard Mendenhall).
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 1st Round - Top 5 Selection

--------------------------

Ryan Williams

College: Virginia Tech (Junior)
Height-Weight: 5'9" 212 lbs.
Upside: Beast Potential
Player Comparison: DeAngelo Williams
Comments: Williams burst onto the scene in 2009 as a true freshman, rushing for 21 TD's and 1,655 yards. With Darren Evans back healthy, though, Williams 2010 season was a major disappointment as his numbers slid big time. He needs to improve in pass protection and also receiving out of the backfield, which could have him as a situational player initially. If he does continue to mature though, he could be a legit force within a few seasons a la DeAngelo Williams emergence in Carolina. While DeAngelo represents Williams' ultimate ceiling, he also shows many similarities to a young Ahmad Bradshaw in style of play. Not unlike Bradshaw, Williams runs extremely hard, which could make him prone to nagging injuries in the NFL (also similar to Bradshaw). He does not have ideal strength or bulk, but is deceptively powerful and can pick up extra yards. He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, but can be caught from behind.
Tools/Skillset: Bell Cow Not a prototypical workhorse, Williams has RB1 potential nonetheless. His explosiveness and high energy play make him well worth the risks if you need RB help. Ceiling is very high, as is the risk here.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 1st Round - Top 10 Selection

--------------------------------

DeMarco Murray

College: Oklahoma (Senior)
Height-Weight: 5'11" 213 lbs.
Upside: Starter Potential
Player Comparison: Darren McFadden
Comments: Murray has been a TD machine ever since he stepped on campus, scoring 13 as a true freshman in 2007 and totaling 50 overall on the ground in 4 seasons. While the major knock against Murray is that he is injury prone, he has only missed 4 games over his 4 seasons at Oklahoma.  While he admits to have gotten nicked up some, he has shown toughness battling through injury, however often times this doesn't tend to do a smallish RB any favors come Draft season. By his senior year, though, he developed into a true dual threat , with 1,214 yards rushing and 15 TD's along with 71 catches for 594 yards and another 5 TD's. He proved he could handle the load and stay healthy, maturing his game at the highest level of college football. In this world of crowded backfields, Murray is an ideal situational player that could have RB2 value.
Tools/Skillset: Versatile Player Murray will never be a workhorse, but he doesn't need to be with his skillset. He is a playmaker with excellent quickness and big play ability. He could develop into a Beast in PPR leagues. While slightly undersized, he could still be the dominant RB in a timeshare, which will keep him healthy and productive for longer.  There is an element of boom or bust here, so taking him at this point purely for his upside isn't for those without Dynasty guts.  He is a super safe Dynasty Rookie Draft selection if he slides to you in the late 2nd early 3rd.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: Late 1st Round/Early 2nd Round - Top 15 Selection

---------------------------------

Daniel Thomas

College: Kansas State (Senior)
Height-Weight: 6'0" 230 lbs.
Upside: Starter Potential
Player Comparison: Michael Turner
Comments: Thomas is a power back with the size and strength to be a goal line and short yardage Beast. He is a durable bruiser that can punish smaller defenders. Like many power backs, scouts question his top end speed and short area quickness, but he should have enough of both to be a lead back in a timeshare. He does show solid skills in the passing game, which could keep him on the field more as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game. His stock has fallen some this offseason as he has been slowed by a hamstring injury, but in the right situation he is an instant impact type.
Tools/Skillset: Versatile Player Murray would have profiled as a bellcow type a decade ago, but in today's NFL he'll definitely be in a timeshare. Because of his power, though, he could be a big time fantasy asset by churning out yardage, scoring TD's and wearing down defenses in the process.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 2nd Round - Top 20 Selection

--------------------------------

Kendall Hunter

College: Oklahoma State (Senior)
Height-Weight: 5'7" 199 lbs.
Upside: Starter Potential
Player Comparison: Donald Brown
Comments: Hunter was a star at Oklahoma State and with the exception of missing 6 games in 2009, he was very productive. He does not have elite speed, though, which could be a problem for an RB that measures just 5'7". What he does have is solid bulk, vision and runs with power. He is a receiving threat out of the backfield and has definite upside in his game. Plays quicker than he times and could carry a starter's load if needed, which makes him an excellent value in the Draft's 2nd day.
Tools/Skillset: Versatile Player If he can get a team to look past his height, Hunter could have a productive fantasy career. He might be locked into flex value for a few seasons, but he just needs an opportunity to prove himself.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 3rd Round

-------------------------------

Shane Vereen

College: California (Redshirt Junior)
Height-Weight: 5'8" 203 lbs.
Upside: Developmental Product
Player Comparison: Justin Forsett
Comments: Vereen had back to back solid seasons at Cal, doing an ample job replacing the more explosive Jahvid Best. While not quite as fast as Best, Vereen does have enough speed to be dangerous. He does have above average elusiveness, but he is not much of a tackle breaker and will struggle to get extra yards on Sundays.
Tools/Skillset: 3rd Down Back Vereen does lack the size and strength to dominate a committee, but he could still carve out a nice fantasy living with his speed and quickness. Will need to show productiveness with right around 10 touches per game. If he does, he's a nice Flex option and solid handcuff.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 3rd/4th Round

--------------------------------

Taiwan Jones

College: Eastern Washington (Junior)
Height-Weight: 5'11" 194 lbs.
Upside: Developmental Product
Player Comparison: Bernard Scott
Comments: Jones has seen his stock rise this offseason and with his speed that should be no surprise, as he did drop a 4.29 40 at his Pro Day. He lacks bulk at the moment and has been very injury prone in his career. He played against less than elite competition. He has the ability to make defenders miss in open space and is an asset in the passing game.
Tools/Skillset: 3rd Down Back Taiwan is never going to carry a full workload and given his injury history, that is probably a good thing. What he will bring is a dynamic playmaking aspect into an offense, with value in PPR leagues.  The fastest player in every draft class should get a shot no matter what, and he is worth reaching for (somewhat).
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 3rd/4th Round

---------------------------------

Jacquizz Rodgers

College: Oregon State (Junior)
Height-Weight: 5'5" 196 lbs.
Upside: Raw Product
Player Comparison: Ahmad Bradshaw
Comments: Quizz was super-productive collegiate player, racking up over 4,500 total yards and 51 TD's in just three seasons at Oregon State, including 151 receptions. But at under 5'6", his NFL upside may be limited to 10-15 touches per game. His perfect world scenario is taking an early Maurice Jones-Drew type of role and running with it. He runs with power and his compact frame can still push a pile for extra yardage. Smaller backs are risky and Quizz is the definition in this year's class. Should he prove productive with a handful of touches, he will find himself with an expanded role.
Tools/Skillset: Versatile Player Can Rodgers be trusted for more than 10 touches a game? The answer will give good insight into his eventual fantasy value. If he lands with a team that believes, he could have low end RB2 value. If not, he becomes more of a FLEX option. He could find success early as a 3rd down back and proving himself will lead to an increased role.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 3rd/4th Round

-------------------------------

Johnny White

College: North Carolina (Senior)
Height-Weight: 5'10" 209 lbs.
Upside: Raw Product
Player Comparison: Felix Jones
Comments: The Johnny White hype train has gained serious steam this offseason, as his potential in the NFL surpasses anything he showed in college. Which wasn't much at all. His game is one-cut and go, with the speed to rattle off chunks of yardage in a hurry. He has solid bulk and strength for his size. If he can add 10 lbs. of muscle mass without losing his speed, that could do wonders for his long term value. He is extremely injury-prone, battling various ailments throughout his career. If he lands in the right situation, though, he is a threat to outperform his Dynasty draft position as soon as 2011.
Tools/Skillset: Versatile Player White did not prove much in college, other than he could not stay on the field long enough to make a lasting impression. If he can play through injuries at the next level, he could be a very solid player. He is extremely risky, but without much tread on his tires, he could prove a very intriguing prospect.  Reach for him slightly if he lands on a team implementing a zone blocking scheme.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 3rd Round

-------------------------------

Best of the Rest:

Roy Helu Jr. (Nebraska) - Helu is a solid player that will have to evolve his game and hope to find opportunity to carve out a bigger role than just a situational player.  He'll get a chance early on with special teams, but his overall athelticisim (quicker than fast) will serve him over time as a developmental prospect or a handcuff.  Not a great receiver.
Player Comparison:  Shonn Greene
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 4th Round Selection

-----------

Jordan Todman (UCONN) - Todman could be an excellent 3rd down back in the NFL, but likely not much more than that. He is a slasher that could bring instant playmaking to a "slow" offense. When sharing a backfield with a power type, he'll be most effective and valuable.  He was one of this year's workout wonders impressing with a 4.4-40, and showing explosiveness with solid vertical and broad jump numbers.  Look for Todman to get a shot somewhere, but his game will have to evolve if he wants to eventually provide fantasy value.
Player Comparison:  Jerome Harrison
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 4th Round Selection

-----------

Evan Royster (Penn State) - Royster is another interesting prospect that could fill a 3rd down role at the next level.  While his workload will have to be limited, he is a versatile threat that carried it for 5.7 a pop while at Penn State.
Player Comparison:  Matt Forte
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 4th Round Selection

------------

Derrick Locke (Kentucky) - Lots of speed here and above average hands.  Locke is surely a developmental player that you will have to have patience with, but watch where he lands and there may be some opportunity in his rookie season.  His game would be well suited for a zone blocking scheme where he can show off his quick first step.
Player Comparison:  Steve Slaton
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 4th Round Selection

----------

Alex Green (Hawaii) - Nothing overly impressive here, but he is a big body at 6-feet and 225 lbs and is an above average athlete.  What we like the most is his higly underrated receiving ability.  He will need to improve his overall game (run blocking and pad level) if he wants to land a long term roster spot as he is not talented enough at this time to step in and make an immediate impact.  Lots of fumbles at the collegiate level are also an issue here.
Player Comparison:  Beanie Wells
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 4th/5th Round Selection

----------

Da'Rel Scott (Maryland) - Extremely fast player that lacks the size to be a 3 down back.  Former track athlete that has the ability to make plays and make defenders miss in the open field.  He just needs to get there first.  Will likley be a situational player early on, but his hard working attitude and solid skill set should eventually turn him into a complimentary player that gets 10 touches per game. 
Player Comparison:  Pierre Thomas
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 4th Round Selection

-----------

Noel Devine (West Virginia) - Devine enjoyed a very productive career at WVU. Despite his size, Devine could carve out a 3rd down role in the NFL because of excellent speed and ability to make big plays. Less of a complete back than similarly sized Jacquizz Rodgers, but just as likely to make an impact.
Player Comparison:  Larod Stephens-Howling
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 4th/5th Round Selection

-----------

Damien Berry (Miami) - Not a special prospect by any means, he has solid speed, solid height and average power. Could be a 5-10 carry player with upside for more if he could refine his skillset and continue to develop.
Player Comparison: Pierre Thomas
Upside: 3rd Down Back
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 5th Round Selection

-------------

Allen Bradford (USC) - Untapped potential, as he had a very pedestrian college career at USC. In the right system, Bradford could be a productive committee member. As a late round dynasty selection, there is not much risk.
Player Comparison:  LeGarrette Blount
Upside: Versatile Player
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 5th Round Selection

----------

Jamie Harper (Clemson) - An ideal blend of size and strength should keep Harper on your Dynasty radar. Another prospect that had a very underwhelming collegiate career, but has enough potential to be dangerous if the opportunity arises.
Player Comparison: Willis McGahee
Upside: Versatile Player
Dynasty Rookie Draft Grade: 5th Round Selection