FAYETTEVILLE — NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. loves Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden as a top-five pick for April’s draft.

But Kiper wouldn’t trade the (Valley ) Ranch to get him.

“I like his skill level, his talent, how he did against the elite teams,” Kiper said during an ESPN teleconference Monday.

But Kiper reiterated a long-held belief that teams shouldn’t move up in the draft to secure a running back.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I wouldn’t move up to get a running back, unless you see a guy drop down significantly,” Kiper said.

It is no secret that Dallas Cowboys owner and Arkansas alumnus Jerry Jones would like to see McFadden wearing a star on his helmet. There has been speculation in the Dallas area, where McFadden is training along with teammate Felix Jones at the Michael Johnson Performance Center, that the Cowboys might try to put together a package, possibly including running back Marion Barber, to trade for Miami’s No. 1 overall selection.

Analysts in Dallas are cautioning against the move, though McFadden, a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up and two-time Doak Walker Award winner, wouldn’t mind it.

The Little Rock native told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he loved watching Emmitt Smith run and that he was “a big Cowboys fan,” but he’s not giving any credence to the rumors.

“I’ve heard so many rumors about what’s going on with the draft, I just try not to pay attention to any of it anymore,” McFadden told the paper. “You have to block it out, because if you don’t, it’ll take control of you, getting caught up in where you want to go and where you think you should go.”

McFadden and seven of his Arkansas teammates, including Felix Jones, will fly to Indianapolis this week to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. The other Arkansas invitees are lineman Robert Felton, fullback Peyton Hillis, defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, receiver Marcus Monk and cornerbacks Michael Grant and Matterral Richardson.

Kiper projects Jones as the fourth-best running back and a first-round choice.

“Jones gives you gamebreaking ability,” Kiper said. “He’s not going to carry it 25 times a game. Teams that want a feature back won’t look at Felix Jones, but he’s a heck of a tandem guy, and a guy who can help you in the return game. I see a team like Tampa Bay taking Jones.”

Kiper projects Harrison as a first-day pick in the draft.

“I think he’s a solid secondrounder,” Kiper said. “He makes plays, gets into the backfield. He’s a good football player.”