Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Bernard's versatility as a runner makes him effective anywhere on the field. He has the vision to find holes and the burst to exploit small openings in the defense to pick up large number of yards. He has the elusiveness to make defenders miss especially in the open field but will give a nasty stiff arm if needed. He is also a very effective receiver out of the backfield where he can create mismatches on an every down basis.

WEAKNESSES - He has good speed but is more quick than fast. He lacks great toughness as a runner between the tackles and will tend to dance around to find a hole. He will need to improve on being more decisive when running inside. As a blocker he lacks reps and is more about trying to get into his route instead of consistently doing his job as a blocker. He is a good receiver but will need to work on using his hands more to catch the ball instead of letting it get into his body.

SUMMARY - Gio has come back strong since blowing out his knee during fall practice in 2010 by leading his team in rushing for the last two seasons. He does run behind a very good line but has all the skills to be a very good running back at the NFL level. He is extremely consistent from a numbers standpoint, having rushed for over a 1000 yards in back to back seasons. His ability to plant and go are very impressive but what makes him an elite back in this draft is his balance. He shows a great range of moves which keeps the defenders guessing and is tough to tackle one on one. The one area that he could struggle immediately is on inside runs and churning out the tough short yardage runs or even goal line plays. But outside of the red zone he can make things happen. Overall, Giovani Bernard is one of the top backs in this draft. He will need a season to develop better running between the tackles and as a pass blocker, but is a perfect fit in a rotational system right now. He will be able to carry the load in the future and be a big part of his team's passing attack.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Highly productive throughout his college career, Ball is a multi-dimensional back. Ball's experience and good coaching shows in his excellent patience following blockers and waiting for them to make their blocks. He does an excellent job of sitting on blocker's hip until they open hole and then has a quick burst through the hole. Deceptive foot quickness and agility let Ball change directions fast to make sharp cuts. He can make the quick cut to avoid defenders who shoot into the backfield, to bounce runs outside and to make tacklers miss. He has consistently shown the ability to bounce runs outside when the middle is clogged up and has the speed to get around the corner. Ball does an excellent job of running aggressively between the tackles, lowers showers to make himself a smaller target and with his combination of playing strength and balance can run through arm/grab tackles to gain yards after contact. Although Wisconsin did not use him a lot in their passing attack, Ball has displayed good hands catching passes when he got the opportunity and at his Pro Day. He understands pass protection and knows who he is supposed to block.

WEAKNESSES - Ball is a good, but not elite athlete - Quicker than fast, there are concerns about his ability to out-run angles to take runs the distance - He did not put these to rest when he ran in the 4.6's at the Combine and the 4.5's at his Pro Day. He has carried the ball a ton at Wisconsin and has battled some injuries, so his NFL durability is a real question mark. Despite knowing what he is doing in pass pro, he does not consistently give a good effort and needs to greatly improve his technique. He came out of the game in most passing situations at Wisconsin, so he will need to prove he can contribute to an NFL team's passing attack.

SUMMARY - Ball surprised many when he returned to Wisconsin for his senior season adn things did not start out well when he was beaten up and suffered a concussion during the off-season and struggled with injuries early in the 2012 season. However, once he got healthy he showed the same skills/talent that he had earlier in his career and once again looked like a future quality starting back in the NFL. Not likely to ever win fastest running back competitions, Ball has a good burst through the hole to get behind the defense and is tough to bring down. More elusive than he gets credit for, Ball has consistently shown the ability to make sharp cuts to get to open space on the other side of blockers and to make tacklers miss in tight quarters, which is a rare skill. Ball will need to improve his pass blocking technique and effort to be a three down running back. Overall, despite being knocked in the media, I believe Ball can become a quality starting back who is productive running between the tackles and consistently gains yards after contact. If he improves in pass protection he could become a valuable and versatile three down running back in the NFL.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Taylor is a well put together all-purpose running back who is a three down player for the next level. He is a physical player who can do it all. He does a very good job of running the ball between the tackles with good vision and power, breaking arm tackles easily. He has good vision to take the ball into the correct hole to gain the necessary yards in short yardage situations. He is patient and allows the play to form and won't hurry it by being too aggressive with the ball in his hands. He has shown some ability to cut the ball back and make defenders miss (see the USC game) and run into open space. One of Taylor's strengths is in pass protection where he is stout enough to anchor and sink his hips against linebackers and quick enough to pick up the speed rush on the edge off the line. His ability in pass protection will keep him on the field in the NFL. Taylor makes himself available for his quarterback and does a solid job of running routes. He picks the ball away from his body with natural hands and is a reliable third-down pass catcher. Considering the tough brand of football that Taylor plays, he hasn't missed a game in two years.

WEAKNESSES - Taylor isn't a speed merchant and won't blow anyone away with speed, but he plays faster than he timed at the combine. He isn't explosive from a quickness standpoint, and is more a grinder than a speed back. While he has been very productive as Stanford's lead back, he doesn't possess elite physical tools and isn't going to wow scouts who look for the home-run hitter. He isn't going to tear apart defenses by running and turning the corner with speed. While he occasionally shows the lateral agility to make defenders miss, it's almost like he prefers to run to contact and making defenders miss isn't a strength. He lacks the explosiveness and elusiveness in the open field to be a special back in space.

SUMMARY - Stepfan Taylor is one of this class' most intriguing running backs. He is an all-purpose back who has the skills to stay on the field at all times. He is a pounding, grinding runner who gets prettier on film the more you watch him run the ball. While he doesn't possess any elite athletic trait while carrying the ball, he is good at everything he does and there is tremendous value in the security of Taylor's skill set. He is a very good short-yardage runner who knows how much yardage he needs, and he will get it because he runs with very good forward body lean. There is a lot to like with Taylor, perhaps nothing as valuable to a team as his ability on pass protection, and picking up the blitzer. He has the bulk to anchor and take on bigger linebackers in the hole, and the vision to take on the speed coming from the edge. He will earn a spot on a team simply because of how well he handles pass protection. Taylor is also skilled at catching the ball out of the back field and does a nice job as a safety valve for his quarterback. Coming from the pro-style offense at Stanford, he is pro-ready and can come in and help out right away. He lacks the foot speed to be explosive and elusive out in the open field and won't be anything special in space. He shouldn't be looked at as a home-run hitter, but more as a consistent plodder in all phases who is highly adept at protecting the quarterback in pass protection. Overall, he deserves early-to-mid third-round draft consideration by a team looking for an extremely safe draft pick to play as a power back in a committee.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Despite not having a large frame, Stacy aggressively attacks the LOS on inside runs and shows the ability to lower his shoulder and run through arm tackles to pick up extra yards. He runs with good balance and forward lean, and always seems to fall forward after contact. He is an extremely patient runner that sets up blockers well and accelerates to daylight once holes are created. While he has the short area foot quickness to be elusive at the POA, he is extremely decisive with his movements and is at his best when making one cut to space and attacking downhill. He runs solid routes as a receiver out of the backfield, and consistently plucks the ball away from his frame. Once he has the ball in space, his open field instincts take over as he does an outstanding job of patiently waiting for blockers in the 2nd and 3rd level before attacking open lanes.

WEAKNESSES - Stacy lacks true breakaway speed and was caught from behind multiple times in games I viewed. He is a quicker than fast athlete, as he is quick through the POA because of his vision and instincts but does not possess the innate explosiveness to break to daylight in tight situations. He has a smallish frame, and in particular needs to add bulk to his upper body. When asked to pass block he doesn't consistently face up with his man at the POA and too often opts for low cut attempts.

SUMMARY - While certainly not the most physically imposing or athletically intimidating RB, Stacy is a very effective runner both inside and on the edge, and clearly has the tools to develop into a starter at the next level. Although he lacks the speed to simply outrun defenders in space, he plays faster than he actually is because of his vision, instincts and decisiveness. He patiently sets up blockers both on inside runs and with the ball in space, and is able to consistently find and attack holes seemingly before they fully develop. He has a good combination of power and elusiveness, which allows him to consistently break arm tackles and gain extra yards. He is also an effective receiver out of the backfield, as he understands where to exploit the zones and displays outstanding hands. Stacy has the instincts to play in any scheme, but is best fit for a zone blocking scheme that thrives off the RB's ability to make one cut and get north and south in a flash. While he is worth a selection on day two because of his projection as a future starter, he will likely present excellent value for a team willing to wait to address the position until early day three.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Franklin is a smooth athlete that can make precise cuts and flashes good short area quickness once out in space. He patiently sets up blocks and is quick to attack lanes once they open. He does a good job of plucking the ball away from his frame and is quick to turn up-field and attack after the catch. He's a highly competitive blocker that attacks his man at the LOS and uses his hands well while maintaining proper base and leverage.

WEAKNESSES - While Franklin is a fluid athlete, he lacks the explosive speed needed to consistently get through holes before they close or take the edge. He is not an aggressive runner between the tackles when he doesn't have an open lane and tends to get bogged down at the LOS. He struggles to run through contact and does not break tackles if not at full speed.

SUMMARY - Johnathan Franklin may lack the speed and power to be a feature back at the next level, but his abilities on third down will certainly peak the interest of NFL teams. In pass protection he does an excellent job of identifying his target and attacking him at the LOS with proper base and leverage. He shuffles his feet well to sustain blocks and is also effective at cutting the late man. As a receiver he displays natural hands and consistently catches the ball and turns up-field in one motion without breaking stride. Franklin is likely to be a day three pick because of his lack of strength inside and inability to consistently break arm tackles, but with today's NFL being so specialized, he should enjoy a solid career as a third down and change of pace back.