Matt Forte: NFL Draft's #3 Running Back? - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

They're playing the Senior Bowl Saturday, which means practices end today and NFL scouts are starting to get a good idea of which guys can play at the next level and which guys will be doing something other than playing pro football for a living.

And here's a name that most NFL fans have probably never heard, but that's being talked up a lot in Mobile this week: Matt Forte, a running back from Tulane. From ESPN Insider:

Tulane RB Matt Forte is making some money in Mobile this week. The 6-foot-1, 221-pound back is proving to scouts on hand that the nation's second-leading rusher in 2007 is not simply a function of lower-level FBS competition. In fact, he is standing out as the most complete back thus far on the South roster -- and that includes Georgia Tech standout Tashard Choice. Forte is a strong, compact runner who displays good burst through the line of scrimmage. He has soft hands and is very comfortable catching the football. He also shows good instincts and the strength to anchor as a pass-blocker. Outside of Arkansas' Darren McFadden and Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall, Forte could be the highest-rated running back weighing in at 215-plus pounds in a deep 2008 class.

Forte is a good player who had an outstanding 2007 season, with 361 carries for 2,127 yards and 23 touchdowns. But I find it awfully hard to believe that he's actually going to be the third running back off the board in April. He looks to me more like an early second-day pick.

For a good Senior Bowl roundup, check out our old friend MJD at Yahoo.