|
Momma McNabb
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Jeffy's house
Posts: 12,476
|
HB scouting reports
Quote:
Darren McFadden
RB | (6'2", 212, 4.4) | ARKANSAS
Scouts Grade: 99 View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Phenomenal athlete. Possesses good height and adequate bulk (better upper-body than lower-body). Rare burst for his size; no play better illustrates that second-gear better than his 73-yard touchdown run in the third quarter versus LSU. He runs with good vision and great patience but explodes through the line of scrimmage once he finds the crease. Very few NFL runners possess his type of second-gear to bounce runs outside and to run away from defenders in the open field. Very fluid in space and can change directions without losing much momentum at all. He can be a powerful runner with a full head of steam. Exceptional stiff arm. Very strong upper body. Keeps his legs pumping in traffic and will break many attempted arm tackles. Displays outstanding balance. Will gain lots of yards after contact simply because he bounces off the tackler and regains his balance instead of going down. Lacks ideal experience as a receiver but is fluid enough to adjust to poorly thrown ball and displays very soft hands for a RB. Can also be an occasional passing threat in the NFL, as seen in his dual-threat role as the signal caller in the Razorbacks' Wild Hog formation.
Weaknesses: He runs a bit high and his lower-body is a bit lean. Has never been forced to carry a full 25-30 carry throughout a full season in college. Had carried the ball more than 30 times in just five games during his three seasons at Arkansas. Ran out of gas late in Alabama game (2007). Lacks ideal experience as a receiver. Needs some polishing as a route runner. Also could be more aggressive as blocker; must learn to attack with better leverage. Character must also be studied. Is there more to the minor off-the-field incidents than we are led to believe?
|
Quote:
Rashard Mendenhall
RB | (5'11", 225, 4.549) | ILLINOIS
Scouts Grade: 96 View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Thickly and powerfully built back. Possesses adequate height, a strong lower body and enormous arms. Runs with adequate pad-level and will generate lots of yards after initial contact. Drives his legs and always seems to be falling forward. Vision and patience are adequate to good. Shows above-average initial quickness and outstanding burst when bouncing runs outside. Very few backs his size share such a noticeable second-gear (see: 2008 Rose Bowl vs. USC). He is a reliable pass-catcher with a good feel for getting open underneath. Can pluck the ball on the run and is dangerous in the open field with a head of steam. Is more than willing in pass pro and possesses the size/strength to anchor versus blitzing linebackers. Does not have a lot of wear on his tires and his best football should be ahead of him.
Weaknesses: Not overly elusive and won't generate many yards by making defenders miss in space. Had some fumbling issues earlier in his career. Only one season as fulltime load carrier at collegiate level. Will need some time to adjust to blitz pickup in NFL. Awareness in that regard is only decent. While he has been a productive receiver, he needs to do a better job of catching with his hands rather than allowing it to frequently get into his body. Off-season conditioning has never been his strength. Doesn't have much room left on frame to add bulk, so he will need to guard against adding unnecessary weight.
Overall: After graduating high school early and arriving on campus in the spring of 2005, Mendenhall contributed immediately as a true freshman. In 10 games, he ran for 218 yards on 48 carries and had 13 receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. In 2006, he ran for 640 yards and five TDs on a Big Ten-best 8.2 yards per carry, adding another 164 yards and a score on 12 receptions. As a junior, Mendenhall delivered 1,999 total yards and 19 TDs in 13 games. He led the conference and ranked eighth in the nation in rushing yards (1,681). Mendenhall peaked as a junior, which was his first season as a fulltime starter at Illinois. While he still can improve as a football player, there are no glaring weaknesses to his game. Mendenhall is a powerful runner with the burst to hit the occasional homerun. He also is more than capable in the passing game both as a receiver and blocker. With good coaching and attention to detail, Mendenhall has a chance to rank among the upper-echelon starters in the NFL a couple years from now. Mendenhall is worth a mid-to-late first round pick and he should be the second or third running back selected in April's draft.
|
Quote:
Jonathan Stewart
RB | (5'11", 233, 4.5) | OREGON
Scouts Grade: 94
Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Is a compactly built back with excellent body control. Shifty and quick; he runs low to the ground and has good change-of-direction skills. Shows very good initial quickness and also displays a second-gear when he gets through the line of scrimmage. Has made significant strides in terms of vision and patience as a runner throughout his career. Displays reliable hands as a receiver. Gets up the field quickly after the catch and can be a huge weapon when he catches the ball on the run in space. Has size and strength to anchor (when in position) versus blitzing linebacker in pass pro. Displays excellent potential as a kick return specialist and was one of the nation's best when allowed to spend time in that facet of the game.
Weaknesses: Durability is a big concern. Has battled injuries throughout his career. Always seems to be nicked. Has limited experience carrying the full load. He's compactly built and strong, but he's not a power back. He doesn't look to initiate contact much and he will run out of bounds instead of lowering his shoulder for extra yards on occasion. He goes down a bit too easily at times, as well. Not overly physical as a blocker. Still has room to improve in terms of awareness as a pass blocker. Will take some poor angles and doesn't always appear to be confident in his assignment.
Overall: Even as a freshman reserve in 2005, Stewart was able to make his mark, scoring nine touchdowns on just 72 touches as a runner, receiver and kickoff returner. Despite injuries, he played 13 games in 2006 and ran for 981 yards and 10 TDs. He also had 20 receptions for 144 yards and another score. In 2007, his first season as Oregon's feature back, Stewart established new school single-season marks in rushing yards (1,722) and all-purpose yards (2,481), leading the Pac-10 in both categories. He finished his junior season with 13 total touchdowns, adding 145 receiving yards on 22 catches. In three seasons, he averaged 28.7 yards and scored two TDs on kickoff returns. Stewart has battled durability issues throughout his career, but he also has shown toughness playing through several injuries. If he can avoid the injury bug at the next level, Stewart has a chance to emerge as one of the premier playmakers at the running back position. He is a compact runner with an outstanding combination of quickness, vision, body control and open-field burst. He also brings versatility to the table with soft hands as a receiver and an outstanding collegiate resume returning kicks. Stewart should be one of the top-three running backs selected in the 2008 NFL draft likely in the mid-to-late portion of the first round.
|
Quote:
Felix Jones
RB | (6'0", 205, 4.4) | ARKANSAS
Scouts Grade: 87 View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Versatile back with world-class speed. Exceptional when he can get the ball in space. Displays rare initial burst through the line of scrimmage and around the corner as an outside runner. Is elusive in space and displays an elite second-gear to run away from most defenders. Does not have a lot of tread on his tires. An unselfish player that proved he will put the team before himself in college. Finds different ways to contribute and could be best suited for a multi-purpose role in the NFL. Displays very soft hands as a receiver out of the backfield. Will adjust to ht poorly thrown ball. Runs sharp routes and is instinctive in that regard. A homerun threat after the catch. Will get in good position and give a solid effort as a blocker. Should also provide excellent value as a return specialist in the NFL. He showcases his rare second-gear with his 82-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter of the 2007 Kentucky game. It was a classic example of one cut and gone.
Weaknesses: Has always split carries at collegiate level. Can he carry the full load in the NFL? Has the frame to get bigger but needs to prove capable of putting on weight (and keeping it on) without taking away from his exceptional burst, which is what makes him special. Lacks power as a runner. Is not big or strong enough to push the pile in short-yardage situations. Is not a sharp-cutter; more of a glider. Can get undercut rather easily at times in space. Takes too many chances bouncing runs outside because he can outrun everyone at college level but will need to be more decisive versus faster defenses in the NFL. Will get in position as a blocker but lacks sand in his saddle to hold ground versus bigger blitzing linebackers.
Overall: Prior to declaring early for the 2008 NFL draft, Jones played a versatile backup role to Darren McFadden throughout his three seasons with the Razorbacks. During that three-season span, Jones rushed for 2,956 yards and 20 scores on 386 carries, caught 39 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns. It's hard not to wonder what type of numbers Jones would have churned out as a premier back at another school. To his credit, though; Jones never showed frustration playing in McFadden's shadow. Instead, he has managed to build quite a resume as a versatile No. 2 back. Jones is not as big or strong as McFadden, but he does set the bar when it comes to breakaway speed -- and that's saying a lot considering McFadden's outstanding burst. Jones can be an instant impact player if used in as multi-purpose role. He should contribute right away as a change-of-pace back that can provide some homerun hitter both as a receiver and in the return game. Only time will tell if Jones is capable of emerging as a team's fulltime load-carrier. Until then, his versatility and big-play potential make Jones awfully intriguing for a team with the luxury of drafting a complementary back late in the first round.
|
Quote:
Jamaal Charles
RB | (6'1", 205, 4.379) | TEXAS
Scouts Grade: 85 View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Reads blocks well and shows adequate patience. Explosive, turns corner quickly and turns on the jets when gets into space. Moves well laterally and is capable of exploiting cutback lanes. Shows good balance, flashes a strong stiff arm and can pick up yards after contact. Changes directions well, can quickly change gears and makes defenders miss in the open field. Has adequate experience catching the ball out of the backfield and isn't going to drop many passes should catch. Fast enough to go the distance when gets a seam and is a dangerous open field runner after the catch. Doesn't shy away from contact and shows adequate awareness when asked to help out in pass protection.
Weaknesses: Lacks elite size, relatively high center of gravity makes him vulnerable to big hits and there are concerns about ability to hold up as the primary ball carrier over the course of a 16-game season. Hindered by an ankle injury during freshman season, missed 2006 Sam Houston State game with an injury and sustained an ankle injury in 2007 so durability is somewhat of a concern. Lacks elite lower body strength and is going to have some problems pushing the pile in short-yardage situations. Has improved in this area but still dances behind the line at times and gets caught in the backfield a little too much. Doesn't always practice sound ball security and has had problems putting the ball on the ground. Struggles to anchor in pass protection and needs to attack the thighs of defenders when picking up the blitz. Lacks experience returning kicks.
Overall: Charles started three of the 13 games he played in during his true freshman season in 2005 finishing with 878 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 119 carries. He also caught 14 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns that year. Charles started one of the 12 games he appeared in during the 2006 season finishing with 831 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 156 carries. He also caught 18 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown that year. Charles started all 13 games of the 2007 season finishing with 1,619 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 258 carries. He also caught 17 passes for 199 yards last year. Additionally, Charles ran track at Texas during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Charles isn't a power back who can wear defenses down over the course of the game or consistently push the pile in short-yardage situations. However, he is a dangerous open field runner with exceptional burst to run away from defenders. Charles is tougher to bring down than his size might indicate and catches the ball better than people seem to think. His fourth-quarter production in 2007 is hard to ignore. There's also something to be said for his improvement over the past two years since turning full attention to the gridiron. With all that in mind, we feel comfortable giving Charles a second-round grade.
|
Quote:
Ray Rice
RB | (5'9", 197, 4.549) | RUTGERS
Scouts Grade: 84
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Has thick legs, has a strong lower body and excels at picking up yards after contact. Reads blocks well, shows good patience and explodes through seams as they open. Keeps head up, has good lateral mobility, can cut back when sees defense over pursuing and can bounce runs outside when defense collapses inside. Runs low to the ground, stays balanced and bounces off arm tackles. Reaches top speed quickly and is fast enough to turn the corner. Tough, flashes a powerful stiff arm, lowers shoulders into defenders and is difficult to bring down in the open field. Shows good focus as a receiver and rarely drops passes should catch. Keeps head up, sinks hips and shows good awareness when asked to help out in pass protection. Attacks the thighs of blitzing linebackers and is an effective cut blocker.
Weaknesses: Is vastly undersized and there are concerns about ability to handle the workload of a feature back over the course of a 16-game season. While has been durable carried a heavy workload at Rutgers and there are concerns that the extra mileage will take its toll later in his career. Doesn't have breakaway speed and isn't much of a threat to go the distance when gets a seam. Lacks elite elusiveness and isn't going to make many defenders miss. Rounds cuts off, isn't a consistent route runner at this point and is going to have problems separating from man coverage at the NFL level.
Overall: Rice appeared in all 12 games of his true freshman season in 2005. He started all 13 games of the 2006 season recording 1,794 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns on 335 carries. Rice started all 13 games in 2007 recording 2,012 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns on 380 carries. He also finished last year with 25 catches, 239 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Bottom Line: Rice admittedly lacks the size and top-end speed that NFL front offices covet at running back but he has the instincts, balance, vision and hands to develop into an excellent No.2. He projects as a third round pick as a result.
|
Quote:
Chris Johnson
RB | (5'1", 195, 4.25) | EAST CAROLINA
Scouts Grade: 81
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position(D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Possesses elite speed. Is an explosive open-field runner. Brings excellent versatility to the table thanks to his experience at RB, WR and KOR. He can explode through a hole. Gets from 0-to-60 mph faster than most RB's. Shows excellent burst to and through the hole, as well as the second-gear to run away from defenders in space. Vision and patience were much improved as a senior in 2007. He has a compact running style and will do a decent job of protecting his body. He displays very soft hands as a receiver and return specialist. Has great experience working out of the slot and knows how to separate as a route runner. Can pluck on the run and gets upfield in a hurry after the catch. Shows good vision and run instincts when he gets into space; knows when to cut back against the grain and how to set up blocks.
Weaknesses: Is undersized and must add more bulk to frame in order to hold up physically at the next level. Has better strength than frame indicates but still not strong enough to break lots of tackles or push the pile as an inside runner. Doesn't always drive his legs and finish runs strong. Durability was a problem throughout college and most concerning is his history of neck injuries. Lacks ideal running instincts and got away with a lot at the college level because of his speed that he won't get away with in the NFL. Will get overwhelmed at the point of attack versus bigger linebackers in pass pro. Will struggle to hold up in that facet of the NFL game. Ball security has been a problem at times, as he turned the ball over seven times on fumbles during his first three seasons. He also has small hands (7 ¼ inches).
Overall: Johnson became a starter as a true freshman and during his career at East Carolina served as a running back, wide receiver and kickoff return specialist. In his first three seasons (2004-'06), he played 34 games (23 starts) and ran for 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns on 388 carries (4.0 average). In that span, he also had 88 receptions for 768 yards (8.7 average) and four touchdowns, plus 79 kickoff returns for 1,706 yards (21.6 average) and four touchdowns. Johnson broke out as a senior, starting all 13 games and leading the nation in all-purpose yards per game (227.7). He had 1,468 yards and 17 touchdowns on 236 carries (6.0 average), 37 receptions for 528 yards (14.3 average) and six scores, and 36 kickoff returns for 1,009 yards (28.0) and another TD. In 2006, Johnson had offseason neck surgery that forced him to miss spring drills but no playing time. He missed one game and was limited in others later that season because of a turf toe injury on his left big toe. Johnson shares a lot of similarities with Jerious Norwood, who was selected by the Falcons in the second round of the 2006 draft. Like Norwood, Johnson is a homerun threat with exceptional speed and versatility but marginal size and below-average strength. A team that can afford a luxury item like Johnson will be able to maximize his big-play potential as a runner, receiver and return specialist. However, we are not convinced he's capable of handling a fulltime role at running back in the NFL, which is why we don't grade him out as high as some. Regardless, Johnson is vying to become the first senior running back off the board. He projects as a second or third round pick.
|
Quote:
Mike Hart
RB | (5'9", 200, 4.5) | MICHIGAN
Scouts Grade: 72
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position(D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: A gifted natural runner. One of the most competitive prospects in this class, regardless of position. Is patient but doesn't dance. Once he finds the crease he shows adequate initial burst and is very aggressive. Possesses outstanding vision and instincts as a runner. Does a great job of finding front-side and back-side lanes in zone-blocking scheme. He's slippery and doesn't take a lot of clean hits on his body. Runs with excellent body control and balance, which allows him to protect his body and change directions quickly. Runs hard for his size and will break more open field tackles than his measurables would indicate. Displays soft hands as a receiver and has upside in that department. He does an exceptional job with ball security. His fumbles versus Florida in 2007-'08 Gator Bowl and vs. Ball State in November of 2006 were his only two since 2004. He is a very hard worker with great character. Team seems to really rally around him.
Weaknesses: Lack of size is his biggest weakness. He lacks ideal height and bulk, especially in his lower-body. Runs hard but lacks the size and power to push the pile on short-yardage runs. Does not appear on film to be as fast as his 40-time might indicate. Clearly lacks the second-gear to run away from defenders once he hits the second-level. Will get tracked down in the open field by faster defenders. Saw more playing time on passing downs early in career but scheme change and durability concerns led to a reduced role as a receiver. Lack of size limits him as a blocker in pass pro. Simply overwhelmed at times by bigger blitzing LB's. Durability has been an issue and is especially concerning considering his below-average size.
Overall: During his first three seasons (2004-'06), Hart appeared in 33 games (29 starts) and had 3,679 yards and 27 touchdowns on 750 carries (4.9 average). He also had 59 receptions for 516 yards and two touchdowns in that period. As a senior in 2007, he had 1,419 yards and 14 touchdowns on 265 carries (5.1 average) in 10 games, adding eight receptions for 50 yards (6.2 average). Hart missed four-plus games in 2005 because of hamstring and ankle injuries. He also missed two games as a senior because of a right ankle sprain. Hart is one of the tougher prospects in this year's class to evaluate. On one hand, his measurables do not line up with most NFL scouting standards and his history of injuries raise a big red flag. On the other hand, his production can't be ignored and his competitiveness is infectious. Michigan implemented zone-blocking scheme in 2006 that clearly played to Hart's strengths as a patient runner with excellent vision. He would fit best in a similar scheme at the next level. Hart may never be a fulltime starter but he is versatile enough to contribute in several areas while serving primarily as a change-of-pace backup running back in the NFL. Regardless, Hart projects as a third round pick in the 2008 draft.
|
Quote:
Matt Forte
RB | (6'1", 221, 4.58) | TULANE
Scouts Grade: 70
Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: A compact runner who displays good burst through the line of scrimmage and enough strength to push the pile as an inside runner. Very instinctive runner with vision and patience to set up his blocks. Runs with solid pad-level and will lower his shoulder to deliver the blow. Churns out a good amount of yards after contact by staying low and driving his legs. He displays balance and body control as a runner. Not great suddenness but is fluid enough to change directions in order to hit the cutback lane. He is very versatile, especially for a bigger back. He displays soft hands and is very comfortable catching the football. He also shows good instincts and the strength to anchor as a pass-blocker.
Weaknesses: Lacks explosive burst. Is quick to and through the hole but will struggle to consistently bounce runs outside in the NFL. Lacks a second gear and will get tracked down from behind by faster defenders. Not very elusive and won't make many defenders miss in space. Very reliable and experienced as a receiver but will not provide homerun hitting ability as a route runner or after the catch. Durability is somewhat of a concern due to 2006 knee injury.
Overall: In his first three seasons at Tulane (2004-'06), Forte appeared in 31 games (18 starts) and ran for 2,138 yards and 16 touchdowns on 472 carries (4.5 average). He also had 71 receptions for 703 yards (9.9 average) and five touchdowns during that period. As a senior, he played and started in all 12 of the Green Wave's games, ranking second in the nation in rushing. Forte piled up 2,007 yards and 22 touchdowns on 336 carries (6.0 average) and added 29 receptions for 257 yards (8.9 average). He also was a regular on special teams coverage units, even during his colossal senior season. Forte missed the last three games of the 2006 season after tearing the meniscus and posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Forte proved to NFL teams at the Senior Bowl that his outstanding production (the nation's second-leading rusher in 2007) was not simply a byproduct of the lower-level FBS competition in which he played at Tulane. While he is not a good fit for every team, those seeking a bigger back with versatility in this year's draft, he will be a good value later in Round 3. In our opinion, only Oregon's Jonathan Stewart and Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall rank higher than Forte in terms of running backs weighing in at 215-plus pounds from the 2008 class. Forte would excel in a one-back set and he has the size/versatility to serve as a hybrid RB/FB type in the NFL.
|
Quote:
Kevin Smith
RB | (6'1", 213, 4.509) | CENTRAL FLORIDA
Scouts Grade: 69 View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Patient and makes the most of his blockers. Has above-average lower body strength, instinctively turns pads when trying to squeeze through tight spaces and can pick up tough yards in short-yardage situations. Keeps eyes downfield, has adequate lateral mobility, can cut back when sees defense over pursuing and can bounce runs outside when defense collapses inside. Doesn't have great elusiveness but shifty and can make the first defender miss. Plays with a mean streak, has good upper body strength and flashes a powerful stiff arm. Runs with excellent balance, bounces off arm tackles and is tough to bring down in the open field. Is a long-strider and possesses deceiving top-end speed. Shows good awareness, does a good job of stepping up and flashes the ability to anchor when asked to help out in pass protection. Attacks the thighs of blitzing linebackers and is an effective cut blocker. Shows good focus as a receiver out of the backfield and shouldn't drop many passes that should catch.
Weaknesses: Takes too long to reach top-end speed and is going to have a harder time turning the corner at the NFL level. Lacks elite top-end speed and isn't going to outrun NFL defenses when gets a seam. Tries to make too much happen at times and dances in the backfield rather than getting what he can when there's no seam. Runs too high and is going to take some big hits. Doesn't run crisp routes, doesn't explode out of cuts and is going to have a hard time separating from man coverage. While extremely productive, played in the Conference USA and there is some concern about ability to make the jump to the NFL. Missed two games with a shoulder injury in 2006 and durability is somewhat of a concern. Missed a 2006 game because of disciplinary reasons and character may be a concern.
Overall: Smith started in 11 of the 13 games he appeared in as a true-freshman in 2005. In 2006, he started in nine of the 13 games he appeared in rushing for 934 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith missed two games due to a shoulder injury and one for disciplinary reasons that year. He started all 14 games in 2007 rushing for 2,567 yards and 29 touchdowns on 450 carries. Smith also recorded 24 catches, 242 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown last year. Smith doesn't seem to have the burst of a first-day pick and there are some minor question marks regarding his long-term durability, character and level of competition at the collegiate level. On the flipside, there's a lot to like about Smith's size, vision and athletic ability. He had a monster season as a junior in 2007 and it seems he is just now coming into his own as a football player. With all that said; Smith projects as a late-third or early-fourth round pick.
|
Quote:
Steve Slaton
RB | (5'10", 196, 4.429) | WEST VIRGINIA
Scouts Grade: 67
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position(D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: A shifty and fast runner with homerun hitting potential. Extremely productive in a spread scheme at the collegiate level. Displays very good initial quickness to and through the hole. He runs with good balance and displays excellent change of direction skills. Is elusive and will make many defenders miss in space. He has shown an outstanding second-gear to run away from defenders particularly during his first two seasons at WVU. He shows the burst to consistently turn the corner as an outside runner, as well as to bounce inside runs to the outside once he reaches the second level. Displays smooth route running skills and reliable hands. Shows the ability to pluck on the run and has excellent initial burst after the catch.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size and strength. Runs small, as well. Is unable to push the pile as an inside runner and won't break many tackles. Is not a physical runner. Shies away from contact at times and does not appear to be overly tough. Seemed to lose a step in 2007, when he did not display the same second-gear in the open field. While he seems to have the skill set to contribute in the return game, he lacks experience in that department. Will be overmatched at times as a pass blocker in the NFL. Durability is a very big concern. He has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and his fragile frame does not project well at the next level. There are also questions regarding his ability to play through pain.
Overall: Slaton ran for 1,128 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2005 on his way to the Big East rookie of the year award. (He added 12 receptions for 95 yards and two more TDs.) He raised the bar as a sophomore, setting the West Virginia record for rushing yards in a season (1,744, which ranked fourth in the nation) and earning an All-America selection. Slaton underwent wrist surgery last spring and wasn't as productive as a junior, but he still managed 1,401 total yards and 18 TDs. He walked away with the school's career touchdowns record (50) despite foregoing his senior year. Slaton can be a versatile homerun hitter in the NFL, potentially serving as a scat-back type on offense and also helping out in the return game. However, he lacks the size and toughness of an every-down back. His inability to stay healthy coupled with his sub-par junior season only increase concerns regarding his NFL upside. That's why we view Slaton's value in the middle rounds and certainly no higher than Round 3.
|
Quote:
Tashard Choice
RB | (5'10", 210, 4.599) | GEORGIA TECH
Scouts Grade: 62
Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: A workhorse back with natural running skills and excellent competitiveness. Reads blocks well, doesn't waste motion and gets through holes quicker than people seem to think. Patient, does a nice job of locating cutback lanes and makes sharp cuts behind the line if scrimmage. Displays great stop-and-start skills. Runs hard, bounces off arm tackles and picks up many yards after contact. Consistently makes the first defender miss. Shows effective use of stiff arm. Runs adequate routes and has the burst to separate from man coverage. Catches the ball with hands away from frame and doesn't drop many passes should catch. Is smooth turning upfield and shows good vision setting up blocks in space. Does an excellent job of selling playfakes.
Weaknesses: Lacks any elite physical qualities. Is quicker than fast. Lacks breakaway speed and isn't much of a threat to go the distance when gets a seam. Gets tracked down from behind too often. Lacks ideal size for his tough running style. Keeps ball tight to frame most of the time but doesn't always cover up when gets into traffic and can put the ball on the ground. Though he flashes a mean streak and a powerful punch when asked to help out in pass protection, he also takes poor angles to assignments and dives at defenders' feet as a last ditch effort. Lacks ideal lower body strength and struggles to anchor when picking up blitz.
Overall: Choice spent the 2004 season backing up Adrian Peterson at Oklahoma. He enrolled at Georgia Tech in 2005 and was immediately eligible to play after the NCAA granted a waiver of the residency requirement. During his next two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, Choice appeared in 26 games (15 starts) and ran for 1,986 yards and 18 touchdowns on 414 carries (4.8 average). In 12 games (all starts) in 2007, Choice turned in 1,412 yards and 10 touchdowns on 261 carries (5.3 average); 14 receptions for 107 yards (7.6 average); and even an 11-yard touchdown pass. He had midseason knee surgery and also was bothered by a hamstring injury, but Choice missed just one game last year. Choice was tremendously productive at the collegiate level when healthy. He is a proven workhorse with very good vision, toughness and power for his size. He displays good patience setting up blocks and he also is quicker to and through the hole than some think. Unfortunately, Choice doesn't have the frame to match his hard-charging running style, which has led to several injuries throughout his career. In addition to concerns regarding his durability, Choice lacks ideal top-end speed and will never be a homerun threat as a runner, pass-catcher or kick returner in the NFL. With all that in mind, Choice projects as a solid backup in the NFL and should come off the board in the mid-round range of the 2008 draft.
|
Quote:
Justin Forsett
RB | (5'7", 190, 4.549) | CALIFORNIA
Scouts Grade: 58
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: A shifty back with very good vision and quickness. Displays outstanding initial burst and can change directions in a hurry. Does a fine job of recognizing and quickly hitting the open backside lane. Runs with good balance and body-control. He is a fluid and smooth athlete with good elusiveness in space. Displays soft hands and can adjust to the poorly thrown pass. Shows adequate awareness in pass pro and will do what he can to slow down oncoming blitz sometimes he's able to cut bigger LB's. Has experience as a gunner covering kicks on special teams. Also has some experience returning kicks at Cal and displays upside as a KOR and PR in the NFL. Durable back for his size. A versatile prospect with unselfish attitude.
Weaknesses: Marginal size limits his NFL upside. He lacks the bulk to carry the fulltime load in the NFL and he doesn't have much room on his short frame to get bigger. Struggles to push the pile and is not very effective in short-yardage and/or goal line situations (see: 2nd quarter vs. Oregon in 2006). Runs low and hard but doesn't have enough power to run over most defenders. Is quicker than fast. Gets tracked down from behind too frequently. His marginal size is also a problem in pass protection. He struggles to anchor versus bigger oncoming linebackers and he becomes a matchup problem when in the game on certain play-calls, as a result.
Overall: Forsett appeared in 36 games (four starts) in his first three seasons at Cal (2004-06), rushing for 1,674 yards and 11 touchdowns on 262 carries (6.4 average). As a senior, he started all 13 games and ran for 1,546 yards and 15 touchdowns on 305 carries (5.1 average). For his career, Forsett also had 41 receptions for 386 yards (9.4 average) and a TD, and served as a gunner on special teams. Forsett, who split carries as the backup to Marshawn Lynch (Bills, No. 12 overall pick in 2007) in 2005 and 2006, made the most of his opportunity as Cal's premier back during his senior year (2007). While he didn't get much national recognition on a disappointing Cal team, he finished ranked 15th nationally in rushing yards per game and he tore apart a very good USC defense for 164 yards on 31 carries. Forsett's marginal size will prevent him from becoming an every-down back in the NFL. However, he is a versatile and unselfish player that should find multiple ways to contribute at the next level. Forsett is a shifty runner with good vision, lateral quickness and body control. He catches the ball well and also has upside on special teams, where he can push for playing time in the return game and as a gunner covering kicks. A team looking for a versatile scat-back type should consider Forsett a good value in the fifth round.
|
Quote:
Chauncey Washington
RB | (5'11", 215, 4.599) | USC
Scouts Grade: 55
Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy(M: MENTAL) Does not retain and learn the system View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: A one-cut downhill runner with good size, quickness and power Displays very good vision. Runs under control. He is a shifty and slippery runner that finds ways to slip into small holes for a bigger back. Shows good initial burst and hits the hole hard. Runs with very good pad-level. Knows when to lower his shoulder and initiate contact. Picks up lots of yards after initial contact. In brief views as a receiver he does display soft hands. Caught the ball very naturally throughout week of combine. Gets upfield quickly and can run over smaller DB's when he gets the ball in space. When in position, he displays the size, strength and toughness to effectively pick up the blitz in pass pro.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed. He's a shifty runner but he doesn't display ideal stop-and-start quickness to consistently exploit the backside crease. Doesn't display much of a second-gear in the open-field. Will never be a homerun threat. Misses too many assignments in pass pro, which is evident on film. Will go the wrong way on play-action and will look confused on blitz pickup too frequently. Not very experienced as a receiver. Lacks ideal route-running skills and isn't much more than a reliable short-yardage option. Mental capacity and maturity are significant concerns after he failed to stay eligible during consecutive seasons in 2004 and 2005. Durability is an issue after finding out his knee injury in 2006, which initially was thought to be a sprain, was a MCL tear. Also missed two games with an ankle injury in 2003.
Overall: Washington played in 20 games in 2003 and 2006, rushing for 809 yards and nine touchdowns on 176 carries (4.6 average). He redshirted the 2004 season after being declared academically ineligible and remained ineligible in 2005. He had his finest season as a senior, delivering 969 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 195 carries (5.0 average), plus seven receptions for 59 yards (8.4 average) and two TDs. Washington missed six games in 2003 after suffering a right ankle sprain and sat out the 2007 season opener because of a right shoulder sprain. Washington's career at USC saw plenty of peaks and valleys. He comes with a good amount of baggage, including major academic problems, some durability issues and a couple trips to Pete Carroll's proverbial doghouse. There's no question those red flags will cause Washington to slip during draft weekend. But some team could get a steal in Washington as a mid-to-late round pick because he's far more skilled than most want to admit. Washington is an extremely talented pure runner with good vision, power and burst. He also catches the ball very naturally and has potential to contribute in the passing game and on kick returns in the NFL. If decides to work at it and keep out of trouble at the next level, Washington could emerge as one of the surprise contributors from the 2008 draft class.
|
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/...draftyear=2008 |