Jahvid Best - The Best Runner in 2010?

Forgive the pun, I (like everyone else writing about Cal RB Jahvid Best) couldn't pass up the opportunity.

The speedy Best was at one point considered a Heisman hopeful and has a very small shot at leapfrogging Clemson's CJ Spiller as the #1 back taken in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has 16 touchdowns on the year and is averaging 6.1 YPC.

I had the chance to go over two games of Best, against Oregon (rough day statistically) and against Minnesota (huge game statistically).

Running the ball, Best is electric. He has the best lateral agility - the ability to bounce the run outside effectively - that I've seen since LaDanian Tomlinson. He has exceptional quickness and very good speed. He isn't as truly shifty as I expected, but his acceleration leaves defenders looking silly.

California uses Best to run inside quite often, and he's adequate there. He's very small, probably playing at 5'9 190, and that doesn't help him. He has a nice spin move that he'll use behind the tackles, but his best trait is his acceleration and willingness to hit the hole hard. If the line creates a push or a crease, he'll find it and he'll pick up the 2, 3, 4 yards inside. He can bust longer runs with good blocking, but all he creativity he shows outside is lacking inside, primarily due his inability to break tackles. While he isn't a liability running inside, he's more valuable running outside.

Best was targeted a few times as a receiver in the games I watched and didn't disappoint. He's deadly on screens, where he can use his quickness, speed, and vision to rip off big gains. He was sent past the LOS on a few routes and while he didn't record any big gains there, he showed enough route-running to make me comfortable splitting him out wide.

His value in the passing game is almost entirely dependent on his receiving, however. While Best gives good effort as a blocker, he doesn't always get the right man (not a huge problem, but he did miss a man or two) and when he does, his lack of size is a big problem. Linebackers can push him back and obviously he shouldn't be asked to take on defensive linesmen.

Seattle would not be a bad fit for Best. He suits a zone blocking scheme and would be a terror on stretch running plays.

Using as part of a two-back system would be ideal, but he's versatile enough that he wouldn't give away the play call on any given play. His ability to rip off big runs would bring a much needed spark to Seattle, and he also could help Seattle as a return man. However, while I really would like to have Best on my team, I don't think he's worth a first rounder in any situation and probably would make the most sense around pick #50, due to his injury history and blocking troubles.