Could Beanie Wells slide out of first round?

Before breaking down the can't miss events of the weekend, including the NFL Combine and a massive ACC hoops battle...

At the end of the college football season, Ohio State RB Chris Wells was projected to be a top-10 pick by many a pundit following his back-to-back 1000+ yards campaigns and 30 career touchdowns with the Buckeyes. Yet, with the NFL combine upon us - and the draft just two months away – Wells is now being projected into the bottom half of the round and based on team needs and other projected moves, could the bruising back slip completely out of the first round?

Calm down Buckeye Nation, hear me out before hyperventilating (besides, he is not the only Buckeye dropping on draft boards. In addition and for the record, I did not attend Michigan, though I did stay at an Ann Arbor Holiday Inn once). “Beanie” is still rated as no less than the second running back on most boards, behind Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno and ahead of Pittsburgh’s LeSean McCoy and Iowa’s Shonn Greene, among others and there a many factors that could keep Wells among the top-32 selected.

However, once the draft jockeying process began, questions grew louder about Wells, ranging from his durability (he missed three games last season and multiple games in previous seasons), to his lack of production in the passing game (15 combined catches in three years at Columbus). Add in the belief in some corners that the power runner takes off too many plays and Wells was now viewed as a mid-late first round selection, but a first rounder all the same.

Now that the draft order is set and the NFL free agent season has started in earnest as teams franchise key players while cutting ties with others, a realization has set in – not many teams have running back as a their top or even their major priority. Of the 30 teams that pick in the first round (the Lions and Eagles each have two picks, while the Cowboys and Panthers are waiting for round two), realistically only 10 are even considering taking a running back in the first round. Based on the current draft order, only half of those teams (Denver, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, New England, Arizona) are slotted in a position where taking a running back makes the most sense, but Moreno would seem to be the favored choice of all of those teams.

- It seems clear enough that neither Wells, nor any running back will go in the first 11 picks, assuming Marshawn Lynch’s recent legal troubles do not send him into the NFL doghouse for a lengthy suspension. An argument can be made that Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland and Cincinnati are all in need of young legs to carry the rock, but they will likely address those needs in subsequent rounds or free agency. If a running back were to suddenly vault up the charts, it would be Moreno, the one-time Heisman frontrunner, who has great vision and is a speedier, more versatile back than Wells. Only the current draft order keeps Moreno out of the top 10-15 picks, though a killer combine might get him there.

- Next up are the Broncos at 12, a team certainly in need of a full-time back after a cavalcade of runners tried their hand at that role last season. Again, Moreno would make more sense than Wells in their projected pass heavy attack under first-year head Josh McDaniels. However, the Broncos massive defensive holes must have them looking for help with this pick. With backs like Greene, UConn’s Donald Brown and Liberty’s Rashad Jennings expected to be available in the following two rounds, the Broncos can and should wait to take a running back

- Now that Deuce McAllister is gone, the Saints are in need of a power runner, but it would be irresponsible for the organization to provide even more help for their potent offense with the 14th pick, especially with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush on the roster, when their defense is so spotty. The Texans have the next pick and while they want another back to help keep rookie sensation Steve Slaton fresh, they do not address that need here.

- At 16, the Chargers seemed to be a logical landing stop for a running back earlier in the offseason, but that was before they franchised playoff star Darren Sproles and appeared to have smoothed things over with LaDainian Tomlinson, though contract issues have yet to be finalized. Assuming those two are on the roster, the Chargers likely go for defense or an offensive tackle

- The Jets (17) and the Bucs (19) make marginal sense, but both squads have starting backs in place (Thomas Jones and Earnest Graham) and are said to be looking at quarterbacks Mark Sanchez from USC and Josh Freeman from Kansas State. Considering they have more pressing needs (QB and secondary for Jets, QB, WR and several spots on defense for the Bucs), hard to see either squad taking a runner in the first.

- With two first-round picks, the Eagles are arguably Wells’ best bet to being a first round pick. They may very well take a running back as a replacement for free agent Correll Buckhalter, who is not expected to remain in the city of brotherly love, and as support/insurance for the injury-prone Brian Westrbook. Wells would solve the Eagles long suffering short yardage woes, but Moreno’s speed and receiving ability makes him the better bet if both are on the board. The Eagles will certainly take an offensive lineman with one of the picks and TE Brandon Pettigrew is a wildcard option as well.

- The Patriots have to consider selecting a running back, seeing as former first round pick Lawrence Maroney has been a bust, but the Belichicks seem likely to address their aging linebacking or secondary units early on.

- Joseph Addai was a massive disappointment last season and the Colts are likely to bring in another player into the mix, but that need is outweighed by their desire to select a run-stuffing tackle, an interior offensive lineman and a replacement for Marvin Harrison.

- That leaves the Cardinals and with Edgerrin James likely having played his last game in the desert, they should be in the market for another ball carrier. However, Tim Hightower is already in place as the power back and the Cards surely would ideally want a new back to be a factor in their highly touted passing attack.

All of this could be moot if Wells runs a blistering 40 at the combine and charms the pants off the general managers while showing the passion for the game that has been a concern for some. Also a team could trade into the first round to grab the talented back. Even if he dropped into the second round, he would not have long to wait to hear his name called with the Browns picking fourth. Still, do not be shocked if Wells starts falling come draft day...

Weekend at Bennie’s – What I will be focusing in between updating my Facebook status (Ben is failing in his attempt to see all the Best Movie nominees before Sunday's Academy Awards)

- The NFL Combine begins in earnest on Saturday, but the QB's, RB's and WR's will be tested on Sunday. Among those who could ensure their selection in the first round with a great workout include: Freeman, Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson (stellar athlete who should rock the combine and offset perceived production issues) and Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (a 4.2 40 is not out of the question)...

- Sanchez may have the most to gain financially out those working out in Indianapolis. His most likely landing spots include Detroit (#1), Kansas City (3), San Francisco (10) or New York Jets (17)...

- The college basketball game of the week takes place Sunday when #8 Wake Forest travels to #9 Duke, who fell to the Demon Deacons earlier in the season. For all the talent on the Blue Devils roster, they simply do not have the muscle and size up front to be considered a legitimate national title contender, though their outside shooting and team defense should lead to a win in this one. 

- Rafer Alston should see his first action with the Orlando Magic following a NBA trade deadline deal that sent "Skip to my Lou" from the Rockets to repalce the injured Jameer Nelson, who is now expected to miss the rest of the season following shoulder surgery. Despite the hype of potential blockbuster deals involving the likes of Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison and Shaquille O'Neal, the Alston deal was the only notable trade involving the top contenders...