2013 NFL Draft results: Eddie Lacy selected by Packers with No.61 pick

Can Lacy live up to the legacy of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson at the next level?

by Louis Bien

Apr 27, 2013, 12:37 AM UTC

Butch Dill

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With the No. 61 overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected running back Eddie Lacy out of Alabama. Lacy is rated as the No. 35 overall prospect and No. 1 running back in his class by SB Nation's Dan Kadar.

Roll Bama Roll on Lacy

Eddie Lacy sent Alabama to this year's national title game by managing 181 yards on just 20 carries against an NFL prospect-laden Georgia defense, and in the championship game, he had 140 yards on 20 carries against a Notre Dame squad that had the second-best defense in college football. Sure, there are mitigating factors -- it's easy to go HAM when you have an unbelievably talented offensive line paving the way -- but Lacy is a bulldozer with a wrecking ball attached.

Lacy emerged from the shadow of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson to thrive for the national champion Crimson Tide last season. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry on his way to 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing. At 5'11, 231 pounds, Lacy is a load to bring down, but he is also surprisingly speedy and nimble given his frame.

Unfortunately, scouts were unable to get as good a look at Lacy as they would have liked. He was forced to sit out workouts at the NFL Combine and during Alabama pro day due to a hamstring injury he suffered in February. That said, his combined size and athleticism, and relatively little wear at the college level should allow him to make an immediate impact as a rookie.

Of the six running backs listed on Green Bay's roster heading into the draft, none of them inspired a whole lot of confidence. Ryan Grant used to be a strong feature back, and Cedric Benson wasn't bad either, but Lacy is clearly the head replacement at the position.

It’s likely that Lacy will come in and compete for the starting role from day one and him seeing a healthy amount of carries in his rookie season, provided he’s healthy, seems like a safe bet.

Lacy was generally considered to be the most talented of the running backs in this draft, but he dropped to the end of the second round due to his injury concerns. Giovani Bernard became the first running back selected earlier in the second round, at No. 37 to the Cincinnati Bengals.