"If he can stay healthy, he could be one of the steals in the NFL Draft," Billick said. "He can be a third-down back right away and has the potential to work himself into a starting position."
Like Westbrook, Billick added, Hunter is going to be a nightmare for defenses to matchup against in the pass game because of his ability to catch the ball in the screen game and line up one-on-one in coverage against a linebacker. Billick stated that Hunter was the best running back at the Senior Bowl.
The 5-7. 199-pound Hunter had excellent sophomore and senior seasons which sandwiched an injury-marred junior campaign. He had over 1,500 rushing yards in his sophomore season and again during his senior season as well as 33 total touchdowns in those two seasons combined. An ankle injury limited him as a junior, but Hunter bounced back and carried the ball 271 times as a senior. Hunter did have 37 career receptions at Oklahoma State.
The Eagles need to figure out who will be behind LeSean McCoy next season. Jerome Harrison was tendered a one-year restricted free agent contract, but it will remain to be seen whether that will apply in the new labor agreement. The only other running back on the roster after those two is Eldra Buckley, a special teams stalwart.
Hunter is expected to be selected on the second day of the NFL Draft. The Eagles certainly don't need to spend another premium pick on a running back with McCoy in the fold, so who are some of the other backs who fit the Eagles' scheme?
Allen Bradford, USC - This pick would be more of a fullback-type because Bradford is a stout 5-11, 240 pounds. A former linebacker/safety, Bradford has also played fullback and last year was second on the team with 794 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Alex Green, Hawaii - Played in the pass-happy run-and-shoot offense and became the first Hawaii running back to go over 1,000 rushing yards since 1992. He had 1,199 yards on the ground and scored 17 touchdowns, while averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Green is another big body at 6-0, 225 pounds.
Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington - The 5-11, 195-pound Jones proved that he was healed from a foot injury that knocked him out of the FCS tournament and ran in the low 4.3s in the 40 at his pro day. Has durability questions, but was the Big Sky Co-Offensive Player of the Year with 1,742 rushing yards last year.
Da'Rel Scott, Maryland - Another speedster who ran a 4.34 in the 40 at the Scouting Combine. He's got good size for the position at 5-11, 211 pounds. A local prospect from Conshohocken, Pa., just outside Philadelphia, Scott had 48 catches in his college career.
Daniel Thomas, Kansas State - Great size at 6-0, 230 pounds, Thomas had 52 catches in two seasons at Kansas State showing his proficiency at catching the ball out of the backfield. Thomas, however, is expected to be a second-day pick as well as Hunter.
