Juniors have had an annual impact in the NFL Draft, especially at the skilled positions, and this spring will be no different. Juniors will decide by early January whether to declare for the April 15 NFL Draft.

Junior backs have improved the running back class every season, and this year the draft will receive another boost. This class features several top picks for next spring, with at least five expected to be called in the first round with the expected junior additions.

Senior tailbacks Thomas Jones, Ron Dayne and J.R. Redmond all completed outstanding careers, meriting an early call by some lucky NFL club. Jones may be the most complete runner this season, showing the total game to be an early NFL starter. Dayne, who won the Heisman Trophy, broke Ricky Williams' career rushing mark with another powerful performance that featured huge yardage after contact.

Rookie running backs have made a quick impact in the NFL throughout the '90s, with the most recent examples Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Olandis Gary, De'mond Parker and Joe Montgomery having various degrees of impact in their inaugural seasons as feature backs in the pros.

More Draft analysis

Virginia's Thomas Jones is the top running back prospect.(Allsport)

1. Thomas Jones, Virginia
Senior, 5-10, 210
Strong, compact senior has responded with a huge final season, showing quick acceleration in the hole and cutting skills combined with the power to break tackles and finish runs.

2. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin
Senior, 5-10, 255
King-sized tailback set a new career rushing mark, displaying great power between the tackles with surprisingly quick feet as a cutback runner.

3. LaDainian Tomlinson, Texas Christian
Junior, 5-11, 210
Unheralded junior tailback set an all-time single-game rushing mark late this season on his way to leading the nation in rushing. He displayed the power to run inside and the quickness and speed to break plays on the outside.

4. Jamal Lewis, Tennessee
Junior, 6-0, 230
Powerful junior tailback returned from a serious knee injury and improved over the season despite battling minor injuries. He has the complete package for a feature runner, but would benefit from returning for his final season.

5. J.R. Redmond, Arizona State
Senior, 5-11, 210
Quick tailback is one of the premier athletes in this draft class with the ability to beat a club as a runner, receiver and return specialist. He shows the ability to run both inside and outside, combining strength and speed.

Miami's Travis Prentice gains a lot of yards after contact.(Allsport)

6. Travis Prentice, Miami (Ohio)
Senior, 6-0, 225
Strong durable senior tailback set new career TD marks as a runner. He finishes his runs well and gains nice yardage after contact relying on excellent leg strength and body lean.

7. Shaun Alexander, Alabama
Senior, 6-0, 210
Talented senior tailback has carried the 'Bama offense this season to new heights in the SEC. Shaun has excellent vision, quickness and cutting skills with sure hands as a receiver.

8. LaMont Jordan, Maryland
Junior, 5-11, 220
Powerful junior tailback was instrumental in the Terps' fine showing this season. He has the power to run inside and the deceptive speed to go the distance and get outside.

9. Michael Wiley, Ohio State
Senior, 6-0, 190
Lanky senior tailback had a fine season despite the Buckeyes' subpar performance. He has the speed to break plays with the soft hands to be dangerous as a receiver.

10. Frank Murphy, Kansas State
Senior, 6-0, 210
Fast senior tailback completed a short career in the Big 12 that was interrupted by an ankle injury that hindered his performance as a senior. He has world-class speed to go the distance and runs with an aggressive style to gain yardage inside.

11. Travis Minor, Florida State
Junior, 5-11, 200
Big play junior tailback has come on strong this season during the Seminoles' national-title drive. He has fine cutting skills and the speed to run away from defenders to break any play.

12. Trung Canidate, Arizona
Senior, 5-10, 200
Breakaway senior tailback has been a go-to receiver over the past two seasons, making numerous long gains from scrimmage. He has the ability to make defenders miss and the speed to hit the seam.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last nine years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country and breaks down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL mini-camps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast to coast and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.