If your team is in need of a 1,000-yard rusher, don't expect to find it in the upcoming NFL Draft. There's a dearth of overall talent and depth in this class of running backs.

Outside of Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch, there may not be another back chosen until the middle of the second round. And honestly, there shouldn't be. Though running back is a position that you can find mid-round gems (Maurice Jones-Drew at No. 60, Brian Westbrook at No. 91 and Rudi Johnson at No. 100, to name a few), don't expect too many diamonds in the rough out of this crowd. Here are 12 backs to watch:

Oklahoma
Stats: 188 carries, 1,012 yards, 12 TDs
Comment: Hands down the best back in the draft. Great combination of speed, size and power. The only concern is durability after missing part of each of his three seasons at Oklahoma. Still managed 4,045 rushing yards, 42 scores and 5.4 yards per carry in his career. If he can stay healthy, envision Larry Johnson-type performances out of A.P.

California
Stats: 223 carries, 1,356 yards, 11 TDs
Comment: Has the ability to be an every-down runner and is a great receiver out of the backfield. Lynch averaged 6.6 yards per carry and 35 TDs in his career. The only concern is his character, especially with the new personal conduct rules of the No Fun League!

Auburn
Stats: 198 carries, 893 yards, 4 TDs
Comment: If there is a sleeper in this draft, it might be Irons. He's reminiscent of Adrian Peterson. He needs to bulk up his frame and work on his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. But with the talent he played against in the SEC, and Auburn's recent knack for putting out stud backs, Irons could make some GM look very smart.

Penn State
Stats: 277 carries, 1,386 yards, 11 TDs
Comment: Not an outstanding college career, but he has good size (6-2, 233 pounds) and is a powerful downhill runner. One thing he proved in his four-year career at Penn State is that he is tough to bring down. He ran for 3,320 yards and 28 TDs in his career. Hunt also has good receiving skills out of the backfield.

Arizona
Stats: 165 carries, 581 yards, 7 TDs
Comment: His decision to go pro was questionable. Then he quieted critics big-time by lighting up the NFL Combine. That spells a big jump in terms of his stock value. He was probably a late-round flyer before, as his 3.5 yards per carry attests. The fact that he was never the full-time ball carrier is a drawback. No matter what, Henry has upside and should make it into more games than his namesake in Cincinnati.

Ohio State
Stats: 242 carries, 1,233 yards, 14 TDs
Comment: Has the game of a north-south back but doesn't really have the body to withstand that approach in the NFL. Also I don't think he has what it takes to make pro defenders miss. Getting more hype than I think he is worth.

Northern Illinois
Stats: 309 carries, 1,928 yards, 18 TDs
Comment: Yes, he lacks the size to play in the NFL. And in other years he wouldn't be this high on the list. But in this draft, I think he has some value. He ran for over 1,500 yards and averaged 6.0 yards per carry in each of his three seasons at NIU. The guy (57 TDs) can run the football. If he can contribute in the return game, there will be a place for him on an NFL roster.

Nebraska
Stats: 188 carries, 989 yards, 8 TDs
Comment: Inexperienced, but has good instincts and a nice burst. He lacks ideal height and speed. Yet unlike most Nebraska running backs of the past, he actually caught passes while in college and he did it quite well. He can also return kicks, which is always a bonus for running backs with question marks.

Florida State
Stats: 143 carries, 616 yards, 4 TDs
Comment: A fairly disappointing four-year career at FSU considering the amount hype he received coming out of high school. That being said, I still think that he has a chance to make a decent impact in this weak draft class. Does lack the size to be an every-down back, but they said the same thing about Maurice Jones-Drew a year ago. Booker has serious home run-hitter potential, great hands and a knack for returns.

Notre Dame
Stats: 255 carries, 1,267 yards, 7 TDs
Comment: If this guy played for Colorado, you would have never heard his name. Just more proof that the Irish is over-hyped. You’d think since they are on TV every week that NFL execs would realize that he has some decent skills but is not great at any one. Despite 3,249 rushing yards and 26 TDs in his three-year career, I see the Arena Football League in his future.

Louisville
Stats: 17 carries, 128 yards, 3 TDs
Comment: Go back to school my boy! What a terrible decision to leave the Cardinals. He is a converted QB with limited RB experience and has an injury history that is as long as Pac-Man Jones' rap sheet. Bush suffered a broken right tibia in the third quarter of the season opener against Kentucky. He does have an explosive 5.8 yards per carry and 41 career TDs.

Florida
Stats: 143 carries, 699 yards, 6 TDs
Comment: Without a doubt, this guy has the talent and the body to be successful. But he will not. He was highly recruited out of college and had a marginal career at UF. He has also been dogged for years regarding his maturity, work ethic and, by no fault of his own, his injury history. Sounds like shades of Onterrio Smith, without the Whizzinator of course.

Note: Stats are for 2006.