Beanie Wells

positives

Extraordinary combination of size and natural running ability. Downhill runner who attacks the line of scrimmage when running inside. Shows the patience to pick and slide laterally. Good burst to and through the hole. Despite his height, generally runs with good pad level, giving defenders little to target other than his knees and shoulder pads. Rare size and leg drive to move the pile. Rare vision and lateral quickness for a back of his size. Anticipates the cutback lanes before they appear and capitalizes on them. Surprising acceleration to break through the first wave of the defense and get to the second level. Brutal stiff-arm when in the open field to bat away defenders attempting to drag him down. Despite his size, shows good breakaway speed. Final nine touchdowns against BCS opponents traveled an average of 32 yards. Good size and strength as a pass blocker. Despite his struggles with durability, some close to the program characterize him as being a tough player willing to play through pain.

compares to

LARRY JOHNSON, Kansas City -- Like Johnson, Wells is a power-oriented runner with a great stiff-arm, but all that pounding does come with a price - serious concerns about his durability. He has the hard-driving running style of Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, but is not as well-rounded and doesn't play with that steady fire in the belly that the best NFL backs displays. There are a lot of holes in Wells' game, but for a team needing someone to punch the ball up the gut, he is the best option in this draft.

negatives

Primary concern - and the only one that will keep him from being a top 10 pick - is Wells' struggles with durability. Fought nagging injuries throughout much of his career at Ohio State and some have questioned whether he knows the difference between pain and injury. Sat out three full games and parts of several others (including the 2009 Fiesta Bowl -- his final game in a Buckeye uniform) with foot, hamstring and head (concussion) injuries. May lack natural hands for the reception. Has only caught 15 passes for 84 career yards and too often double-clutches. Inconsistent effort as a blocker.

2007: Missed most of spring camp (5/07) with a left ankle sprain...Left the Penn State game (9/23) when he re-injured his ankle, doing that again after just four carries in the Kent clash (10/13)...Suffered what later was diagnosed as a right wrist sprain and a broken bone above his thumb vs. Illinois (11/10) and was forced to wear a brace the following game vs. Michigan (11/17). 2008: Sat out spring drills after having surgery to repair his right thumb fracture (5/22)... Was carted off the field with a right foot sprain in the third quarter of the season opener vs. Youngstown State (8/30), missing the next three games vs. Ohio University (9/06), Southern California (9/13) and Troy (9/20). Upon his return, he was forced to wear an oversized offense lineman's high-top cleats to protect his foot...Suffered a hamstring pull vs. Michigan (11/22)...Sat out most of the second half of the Fiesta Bowl vs. Texas with a mild concussion.

Combine: 4.52 in the 40-yard dash

1.53 10-yard dash

2.62 20-yard dash

33.5-inch vertical jump

10'8" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times.

Did not run the shuttles or three-cone drill or participate in positional drills due to a right groin pull.

Attended Garfield (Akron, Ohio) High School, earning Parade All-American honors

Named the nation's top running back as a senior, rushing for 2,134 yards and 27 touchdowns on 223 carries (9.6 avg) in 2005

As a junior, Wells rushed for 1,939 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a junior

The 2005 National Player of the Year scored three touchdowns on his way to being selected Most Valuable Player of the U.S. Army All-America Bowl.

African-American Studies major, twice capturing Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors

One of 11 children of Paulette and James Wells

Nicknamed "Beanie"

Born 8/07/88

Resides in Akron, Ohio.