California running back Jahvid Best, 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, enters the 2010 NFL Draft as a junior. He is ranked in the top five at his position by most experts. He ran for a career-best 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2008.

Strengths

• Speed: Best is quick to the edge and is tough to catch in the open field
• Elusive running style: very athletic and shifty; excellent burst coming out of a cut; great vision for the cutback lane
• Makes plays through the air: has caught 49 passes and five touchdowns through the air in past 21 games
• A nose for the end zone - 32 offensive scores in the same 21-game span (27 rushing)
• A low center of gravity allows for elite balance
• Effective inside runner - drives against defenders better than his size suggests he should
• Game-changing explosiveness - reaches his second gear with little effort
• Consistent effort

  The "Best" RB in '10?

Weaknesses

• Slightly undersized: 5-foot-10, 199 pounds
• Pass protection - will need to improve significantly to be avoid being a liability at the next level
• Needs to display a stronger ability of breaking tackles
• Injuries - Best missed one game in 2008 (dislocated elbow) and four games in 2009 (concussion). He is still recovering from the latter injury.

Expected draft placement

It will be a major shock if Best falls out of the second round. Given a lack of emphasis on the running back position, a fairly healthy crop in this year's class and a decent group of free-agent ball carriers, Best is unlikely to be a first-round pick. His receiving skills make him a flexible, intriguing prospect, but he is probably no more than a change-of-pace or specialty back in the NFL.