Nov 13, 2010; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Vontaze Burfict (7) tackles Stanford Cardinal tight end Konrad Reuland (88) during the second quarter at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

As soon as the NFL draft ended, I mentioned to watch out for those UFA signings, and in the next article I talked about some of those guys. I wondered who would sign Vontaze Burfict despite all his issues and then hoped injured CB Chase Minnefield would find a team.

Well, both have happened…and more.

Vontaze Burfict signed with historically a VERY appropriate team for troubled NFL athletes. If I told you it wasn’t the Raiders, who would you guess?

Yep, you’re right. The Cincinnati Bengals signed Vontaze. I should have thrown that possibility out there when I was wondering about it because it fits so well. Didn’t really need a crystal ball for that one.

Chase Minnefield signed with Washington. Not much of a surprise there, either, as the Redskin organization is leaving no stone unturned in the quest to upgrade their roster. Good for Chase, I’m glad he has a chance to heal and to prove he can get it done on the field. He’s a guy I’m rootin’ for – except when Carolina plays them. He has the added bonus of having the awesome name for a corner – Chase.

The RB that fell the most would be Chris Polk from Washington…the school, that is. In fact, he was part of Tyrone Willingham’s first class there. Boy, time flies. Polk was signed by the Eagles to backup LeSean McCoy and is a tough inside runner that falls forward. His case was akin to Miami (college AND now pro both) RB Lamar Miller, but times 3. Polk has had 2 shoulder surgeries plus a scoped knee, so teams have legitimate durability concerns about him. At least the Eagles signed him so he can start all over again and hopefully prove his mettle.

Other notable signings:

The Carolina Panthers signed Tennessee RB Tauren Poole to try to make the roster as a third-string runner and possibly contribute on special teams but not as a return man. I checked his combine results and it looks like he’s a strong kid overall but with average acceleration and agility…the cone drill and shuttle times weren’t horrible but they weren’t great either. He’s being looked at for depth or if he really impresses, there’s been rumors of trading Jonathan Stewart over the past two months.

Those rumors died down as the draft approached, and I love J-Stew’s punishing style that contrasts with DeAngelo Williams’ shake-you-out-of-your-cleats elusive style. The two mesh quite well in a game.

The Panthers unsurprisingly added an OT UFA to their roster with BYU’s Matt Reynolds. With Jeff Otah’s perennial injuries, he’s become an unreliable player and I don’t see the Panther’s re-signing him unless as a backup at a greatly reduced rate. They’ll have to get ready for life after him and prepare starting now.

Reynolds benched an unimpressive 25 reps at the Combine and ran a 5.37-40. Tackles don’t need to be fast, but they do need that “phone-booth” speed. The scouting report says he’s got good lateral agility which is good enough for a tackle. He’s an average-to-above run blocker but struggles defending some of the pass-rush moves many NFL defenders will use. He’s got a lot of minor issues that are all correctable with good coaching and is a raw talent that has a chance to make the roster.

Division-rival Tampa Bay isn’t sitting on their laurels even after their big free agency splash and top-5 NFL Draft. They signed Iowa State CB Leonard Johnson for depth. Although he’s only 5’10″ and runs a very slow-for-position 4.7-40, remember the scheme. “Tampa-2.” That’s 2 deep safeties over the top, lots of zone coverage underneath. His strengths will masks his lack of footspeed in such a scheme and he’s a tough, instinctive guy who could create some problems most likely in nickel and dime defenses as a rookie. He was picked up as much for his kick returning ability as much as anything else, so he’s got a very good chance to make their roster.

Boise State QB Kellen Moore was signed by the Detroit Lions to backup Matthew Stafford. It’s a perfect situation for the winningest college QB in history. Most would be happy to start 50 games in their career. Moore has 50 _victories_ in his college career. He may have no elite physical traits, but winning is an elite intangible by itself in my book. It helps keep a positive mindset and really helps your confidence, both of which are core qualities in any successful NFL QB. Moore has the history of winning, so he comes into the league without any pressure to step in and be productive as long as Stafford holds up like he did last season. I don’t think he’ll ever be a regular NFL starter, but is a guy who can come in and make accurate throws and not lose a game for you. That’s really all you can ask of a backup QB, and he should make the roster and deliver that.

Like I said last week, the end of the draft isn’t the end of the process…it’s only the end of the beginning of it.

Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson (3) holds the BCS National Championship Trophy after his team defeated the LSU Tigers 21-0 at the Louisiana Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

In the second installment of the 2012 Marcus Big Board, I take a look at the top seven running backs heading into the 2012 NFL draft.

Similar to most big boards and just about everyone else who has an opinion would rank Alabama running back Trent Richardson as the number one overall back.

After Richardson, the rest is a toss-up. Rounds 3-7 may end up producing some long-term talented backs.

Combined the fact that RB’s in today’s NFL are no longer as valuable and they come and go like jockstraps, we may see some guys make teams in September after not hearing their name called at all in April during the NFL Draft.

Fullbacks are included. Not many, but the ones who may impact the draft or the NFL will make the top 7 list.

1.) Trent Richardson   5’10″    224 LBS    ALABAMA    4.58 40 YD DASH        

Trent Richardson is a physical specimen with great power and burst for his size. Overall, he is also a Top 5 prospect and the number 1 running back coming into the 2012 Draft, despite not participating in the NFL combine. Some scouts and NFL GM’s may or may not hold that against him, either way he should be a franchise pick early in the First Round.

If you watch Richardson on tape playing football or interviewing in a t-shirt in the Alabama weight room, you see he is a hard working, one of a kind athlete in every way. Mike Mayock says he is the best back coming out of college since “all-day” Adrian Peterson. Im not too sure about that, but Richardson will get alot of touches his Rookie season like AP in the NFL come 2012 wherever he lands. His maturity and work ethic should keep him ahead of other underachieving backs. Day One Richardson will be contributing. We all remember his Ole Miss run that was spectacular alone, but, I must also point out he had 183 yards and 4 TD’s, on only 17 attempts through just 3 quarters in that same game.

The only negative may be his average hands catching the ball out of the backfield.

2.) David Wilson   5’10″    206 LBS   VIRGINIA TECH     4.49  40-YD DASH     41.0 VERTICAL JUMP 

Wilson left after a very successful Junior season producing in the Hokie backfield. His track star speed and insane athletic ability will make him a must see player if he lands in the right spot. Some have him ranked lower than me but his overall speed and play making ability every time he touches the ball makes him a no brainer at 2. He also has his own style of running the ball that could prove positive and make him one of a kind. Or, though doubtful,  if he is not committed, we may never see that type of David Wilson in the NFL. My bet would be he makes the transition very smooth.

3.) Doug Martin   5’9″    223 LBS   BOISE STATE     4.55  40-YD DASH    6.79  THREE CONE DRILL 

Martin reminds me alot of Ray Rice coming out of Rutgers. Alot questioned his size and his production in an overall smaller conference and weaker competition. To me, no matter the conference, three straight seasons of 12 plus rushing touchdowns in an offense with Kellen Moore is pretty good.

Either way Martin is very athletic and has better speed than many anticipated he would. Combine that with his production in a high-octane offense consistently for three seasons I see him being an every down back. Similar to Rice in another aspect, he most likely will be contributing and possibly starting on a NFL roster.

4.) LaMichael James   5’8″    194 LBS   OREGON    4.45  40-YD DASH    123 INCH BROAD JUMP  

LaMichael’s accomplishments throughout his college career are hard to ignore. He left Chip Kelly’s offense with 771 rushing attempts, 5,082 rushing yards, and 58 total touchdowns.

Only weakness may be his pass protection at the next level but that doesn’t mean he won’t work at it. His quickness and decisiveness will make him a playmaker on an offense designed to get him the ball in space. Lookout if he lands on an already explosive offense with a QB who can get him the ball wherever, whenever!

5.) Lamar Miller   5’11″   212 LBS   MIAMI (FL)    4.40  40-YD DASH   33.0 INCH VERTICAL JUMP 

Miller is another early entry prospect with Track speed. He put together a solid Sophomore campaign at The U and has all the ability and tools to be a late First Round pick.

But to me he left a little too early(Only one solid year of production in 2011). His speed and impressive quickness out of the backfield will land him an opportunity though, somewhere in the NFL.

6.) Chris Polk   5’11″   215 LBS   WASHINGTON   4.57  40-YD DASH   111.0 INCH BROAD JUMP  

Lately Polk has started to open more and more eyes. He put up solid numbers in three straight seasons as a Huskie with over 220 attempts and 1100 plus yards in all three. His size and sneaky speed make him a perfect fit for a ground and pound offense. Polk could legitimately be a three down back as well.

(2 TIED AT 7)  

7.) Bradie Ewing  6’0″  239 LBS  FULLBACK       WISCONSIN     4.76  40-YD DASH    36.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP 

Ewing will be drafted by a team that has a specific spot to fill at the fullback position. Being part of that Badger offense that pounds the ball down their opponents throat, Ewing is more than prepared to come in and contribute as a full-time lead blocker. Ewing is one of very few Draft Pick worthy FB’s in 2012. ( Rhett Ellison USC FB may also hear his name called)

7.) Ronnie Hillman 5’9″  200 LBS    SAN DIEGO STATE       4.45  40-YD DASH   37.0 INCH VERTICAL JUMP 

Hillman has great vision combined with tremendous speed. The combination of the two made him very productive as an Freshman starting for the Aztecs. He started every game in the last two seasons while producing 38 touchdowns from scrimmage.

*The number of names who could be “Sleepers” is endless. To stress my point of the Running Back position no longer having much value in the Modern Day NFL, we may hear and see several more names not mentioned here. They may fill spots vacated by older veteran running backs now past their prime.

Well, at least they are in the eyes of most NFL GM’s who keep cutting them.