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2010 Draft
RUNNING BACKS

1 CJ Spiller Clemson 5-10 ¼ 194 4.36
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
18 36 10-6 -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
1.54 2.47 10      

BRS (Gollin) -
Breakaway RB who may be a bit soft inside. With Saints on top of the NFL, everyone's looking for the next Reggie Bush. 20-yard time and BJ score were best of position.

Pro Day - (5-foot-10 1/4, 196 pounds) had a 36-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump, but kept the rest of his numbers from the combine.

Sporting News War Room -
Would've been a first-round pick in '09 but improved his stock as a senior. Improved his inside running and receiving skills. Gets NFL personnel men excited because he has all the tools to be an NFL star-can make big plays from a variety of alignments. Despite durability concerns, projects as a top-10 pick.

Can be a dangerous, but inconsistent inside. Quick to identify a crease and explode into it. Has the balance, agility and strength to run through arm tackles, but doesn't break many. Somewhat upright. Does lower his pad level. Dangerous cutback runner, with a sharp "jump cut" to explode through holes. Can freeze defenders in the hole and explode past them.


Outside he's a threat to score on every touch /patient waiting for blockers. Explosive cutback runner. Keeps legs churning and fights for every yard.

Lacks experience as a blocker. Seldom if evert asked to lead block. Solid effort in pass pro with enough strength to be effective. Must learn to step up aggressively and use better technique

Not a polished receiving option, but has all the tools. Quick and explosive down the sideline and from the slot. Can consistently separate from defenders. Good hands, /twists body nicely to adjust to off-target passes

Durability is an issue that could keep him from becoming an elite NFL back.


ESPN
Adequate bulk, prototypical height and prototypical top-end speed. Hamstring and head injuries (2008). First-team Academic All-ACC after making the Dean's List
Fights for yards after contact / tougher to tackle than size suggests. Plays with emotion /unafraid to get in defenders' faces. Fights for the ball when it's in the air and not afraid to expose frame to big hit when competing for jump balls
Lacks elite vision and appears hesitant at times but OK at locating seams and setting up blocks, especially when attacking the perimeter. Better fit for a zone blocking  team.
Lacks the leg drive necessary to push the pile. Not a downhill runner and can get caught dancing in the hole but has excellent balance and does a good job of sifting through traffic when defenders fail to wrap him up. Explodes.
Can turn the corner in a flash / shows a second gear. Changes directions and speeds well and can make defenders miss in the open field.
Runs adequate routes /can separate from man coverage. Above-average body control /catches the ball well. Has lined up wide and at fullback, making it tougher for defenses to locate him.
2 Ben Tate Auburn 5-11 220 4.43
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
26 40.5 10-4 6.91 4.12  
10 20 Wun      
1.52 2.54 --      
Senior Bowl  - No outside comments picked up to date.

BRS (Gollin) -
Combine scores confirmed what we saw on game and practice tape - great numbers for a big fella. Big, powerful one-cut guy with power. Ran with authority.

Sporting News War Room -
Good all-around back for Auburn. vision and patience will give him the opportunity to be useful as a third-down specialist; but he will need to improve his pass protection. Willl also need to improve his strength in order to break more tackles. Worth a late-round selection.

Good instincts and patience to find the hole and the quickness to hit it hard. Has the vision to see backside holes being created and enough quickness to make the jump cut and get up field.Tough between the tackles/consistently running hard. Can be a viable option as a receiver

Lacks elite big play speed. Will struggl e to break arm tackles and loses balance too easily in traffic. Just an average burst through the hole. Must improve his lower-body strength. Struggles to reach the corner and turn up field. Must improve pass-blocking skills.


ESPN
Good bulk for adequately-sized frame. Above-average top-end speed for size. Relatively durable throughout his career. Has shown toughness by playing through some nagging injuries and has not missed a game the past two seasons. A tough competitor. Has handled multiple changes in offensive schemes well. No off-the-field issues to our knowledge.
tough, physical runner who consistently lowers his shoulders and drives his legs at the end of carries. very good competitiveness/ some trouble with ball security.
No-nonsense runner. Hits the hole hard and rarely gets caught dancing. good feel for holes opening up backside. Overall running instincts are adequate-to-good.
At his best as a downhill runner / good combination of size and burst. Hits the hole hard. Will bounce off some defenders and fight to pick up yards at the end of runs. Runs with adequate pad level and knows when to lower his shoulder
Not overly elusive/ lacks elite speed. Lacks second gear but has enough initial quickness and body control to turn the corner outside.
Has good experience as a receiver. Above-average ball skills for a bigger back. Fine job of getting open underneath and will run over some smaller DBs when he catches the ball in space. Can make first defender miss...

3 Charles Scott LSU 5-11 ½ 238 4.53
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
17 31 9-6  6.98 -- --
10 20 Wun      
1.69 2.74 --      

Pro Day - (5-11 3/8, 232) ran a 4.54 and 4.53 in the 40, had a 31-inch vertical, a 9-6 broad jump and 17 bench press reps.

Various Senior Bowl Comments -

Scott's injury occurred before the Senior Bowl. However, scouts had hoped to see the bruising tailback on the field. But the broken collarbone that had ended his senior campaign prematurely was proven to still be a problem, resulting in a failed physical and a lost opportunity to impress scouts.


BRS (Gollin) -
Reggie Wells and THT aside, the Cards could use a thumper. Nothing wrong with a guy who reminds scouts of Michael Turner. Injury could present us with a 2nd oir 3rd round opportunity.


Sporting News War Room -
Reminds us of Michael Turner. Big, physical back who runs with rare aggressiveness and intensity. Must improve as a blocker and receiver to be an every-down back.  Teams will want to make sure his collarbone has healed. If he checks out, he will be a second-round pick.but otherwise could slide to the fourth round.

Inside running
skill will earn him big money. Extremely well built with the upper- and lower-body strength to break tackles and gain yardage after contact. Attacks the hole decisively without hesitation. Will run a little upright sometimes but mostly runs with good body lean. Wraps up the ball with both hands when in traffic, and lowers shoulders to deliver violent blows to would-be tacklers. Even when unable to pull free, he'll consistently drag the defender. Moves surprisingly well in tight quarters.

Can't outrun defenders to the corner, but is a good outside runner by following blockers and waiting on their hip until the hole opens. Lacks the explosiveness to hit the crease and hit home runss but strong enough to run over DB's.

Not asked to lead block at LSU;but there is no doubt he will be solid. In pass pro -more of a get-in-the-way blocker than an aggressive, take-on-the-pass-rusher blocker.

Not involved often in the passing game/doesn't look natural catching the ball. Body snatcher. Must improve route-running skills to be anything more than an emergency dump-off receiver

Has the size, strength, competitiveness and toughness to be a durable back. and the power to physically wear down opponents late in games. Should be able to handle 20-plus touches per game. Collarbone raises minor questions.

ESPN (Scouts Inc.) -

Thickly-built back with adequate height and excellent bulk for his frame. Top-end speed below average. Bruising running style makes him vulnerable but so far durability has not been a significant issue played in all 27 games the soph & junior seasons. Solid student. No known attitude problems or off-the-field issues.
Runs with adequate pad level. Hits the hole hard and will generally fall forward at the end of runs. Not quite the bruiser we expected to see on film but still a powerful back with adequate competitiveness as a runner and blocker.
Good vision. No-nonsense type/doesn't make a lot of cuts and won't get caught dancing in the backfield. Sees the crease develop and hits it immediately.
Better inside runner than outsidewith ood instincts / doesn't waste any time hitting the hole. Gets stronger with more carries as the game progresses. Runs with adequate pad-level. Will break some arm tackles.
Can run over smaller defenders when he reaches the second level but lacks the initial burst to consistently turn the corne. A one-speed back who lacks explosive burst out of his plant. Marginal elusiveness
Adequate short-yardage receiver. Reliable hands. Will catch anything thrown within his frame but is not going to make the spectacular catch. Not a huge threat as a route runner or after the catch. Shows solid awareness and has good potential as a blocker
4 Jahvid Best Cal 5-10 186 4.35
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
18 35½ 9-5 6.75 4.17 --
10 20 Wun      
1.52 2.57 24      

BRS (Gollin) -
Another small, speedy scatback type to compare with Reggie B and Darren Sproles. Ten yd. time was tied for tops among RB's.

Pro Day - (5-9 7/8, 186) stood on all of his numbers from the combine and did not work out.

Sporting News War Room -
Big-play weapon with the natural ability as a runner and receiver and make game-changing plays. Big concern is how easy he is to tackle. Almost never runs through arm tackles and is easily tripped up. Little doubt about his physical ability, but his lack of size and  concussion concerns will knock down his value. Could go in the second or third round and become a third-down back, slot receiver and return man
.


Shows good patience inside, allowing the play to open up and then the explosiveness to blow through the hole. Must add bulk to become a better short-yardage back when holes don't develop. Can bounce runs outside

Effective on speed alone, but his cutback ability keeps defenders honest. Once he sees daylight, it is off to the races. Must improve open-field moves; too often loses balance.

Hasn't been asked to block often, but seems willing. Stays in front of his assignment and works hard. Must learn to gain better leverage to handle NFL blitzers. Must learn to keep feet moving after contact.

Natural pass catcher, and exciting once he has the ball. Gets upfield in a hurry. Must learn to run sharper routes. Lacks urgency before the catch. A matchup nightmare based solely on speed

Rarely takes a big hit, which allows him to stay healthy. Must add bulk to be an every-down back (, which shouldn't be a problem). Concussion concerns.


ESPN


Adequate height and bulk, above-average top-end speed. 2007: Missed three games with hip injury. 2008: Missed spring practices with hip injury. Dislocated left elbow. 2009: Missed spring practices recovering from foot and elbow surgeries. Misses practice time with a toe injury...
Can run through arm tackles inside and flashes an effective stiff arm. Leaves his feet a bit too often and exposes himself to big hitsStill, there's a lot to like about his nose for the end zone.
Reads the flow of the defensive front and cuts back up inside when the defense tries to take away the edge. Patient and lets offensive linemen get into position before turning on the jets but is a little too indecisive on stretch plays...
Explodes through the hole and can hit the second level going full speed but he needs a seam to be effective. Drives legs after contact and finishes runs but lacks ideal lower-body strength and is not going to push the pile in short-yardage/goal line situations.
Turns the corner swiftlywith a second gear - a threat to go the distance when he gets a seam. Great wiggle in space. Can make defenders miss by changing speed and direction in a flash. Above-average sideline awareness
A bit inconsistent as a reeceiver but will catch with his hands and does not have to break stride to bring the ball in. Great focus when the ball is in the air /ca make one-handed catches. Has the burst to separate from defenders.
5 Toby Gerhart Stanford 6-0  231 4.60
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
22  38.0 9-10 6.94 4.26  
10 20 Wun      
1.62 2.64 30      

BRS (Gollin) -
Nice speed for size compared to other thumpers. Three Cone was in Top 5 of all RB's measured.

Pro Day -
(5-foot-11 7/8, 231 pounds) gave a memorable performance. He stood on all of his combine numbers, but was outstanding in the position drills

Sporting News War Room -
Has all the physical talent and intangibles but is never going to be Barry Sanders. Reminds us of Michael Turner (but is a better receiver than Turner). Has deceptively good speed and can make big plays Once he gets going. 

Excels inside....Patient waiting for inside holes to open /attacks them aggressively....Can knock tackler backwards. Drags tacklers for extra yards... surprisingly nimble...Does not pick his feet up enough when running in traffic.

Lacks the acceleration or top-end playing speed to get the corner consistently. Must follow blockers to get to the outside. Limited ability to bounce runs outside ... Lacks wiggle ...Deceptive speed when he gets outside

Lacks experience lead blocking but has the aggressive mentality, toughness, size and strength to be effective. Intelligent pass blocker; but can get lazy and stop feet after contact.

Did not catch a lot of passes at Stanford but showed good hands. Catches ball away from his body. Can twist to catch pass thrown slightly behind him.

Missed nearly the entire 2007 season with a knee injury but was durable during his final two seasons.


ESPN


Good height and weight /average top-end speed. Knee (2007)...Baseball.
Tough determined runner who thrives on contact. Constantly moves feet and rarely goes down with the first hit. Finishes runs falling forward and pushes the pile.
Disciplined runner that stays the course. Reads keys well with a natural feel for finding cutback lanes. Little wasted motionbut must show more patience and give blockers time to get into position.
Sticks foot in ground and gets downhill immediately. Runs with low pad level and has excellent lower body strength. Explodes through most arm tackles. Excels in short-yardage situations but doesn't show a second gear when gets to the secondary
Not nearly as effective as attacking the perimete...Marginal burst & ability to consistently get to the corne. Lacks the elusiveness to make defenders miss but can be load to bring down once he gets going.
Willing and effective pass blocker. Good awareness. Recognizes blitzes and gets into strong initial position. Stout enough to stop blitzing linebackers in their tracks. But not much of a receive...Routes lack suddenness...
6 LeGarrette Blount Oregon 6-0 ½ 238 4.59
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
18 35 9-9 6.85 4.50 --
10 20 Wun      
1.75 2.74 16      
Pro Day - flashed decent speed at the Ducks’ second pro day on March 18. Two TV stations were hooked up outside, and a Browns representative was in attendance to watch Blount run the 40-yard dash in 4.59 and 4.61 seconds. He stood on the rest of his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine. He checked in at 6-foot 1/2, 238 pounds — a three-pound weight loss from his combine weigh-in.

Various Senior Bowl Comments
- Stillhas a long way to go fter his well-documented cheap shot  in the season opener but scouts have been impressed with his contrition in interviews and utter lack of contrition on the field. Quicker than he looks, his raw power makes him an intriguing option for a team needing a big I-Back.

Was playing great at the end of the NCAA season...starting to get his reputation back and can be a inside or outside runner... looked like Greg Jones as a tough runner and willing blocker. A bit raw in pass pro and as a route runner...has a ways to go to improve his overall game. But ran strong and finished every play, even spinning off tackles inside. Obviously Blount does not back down from mixing it up on the field as a blocker.

BRS (Gollin) -
Strictly on gut, but I love what he did on the field after his suspension, and he sound like a guy who's grown up and learned his lesson. For this reason, I've elevated his rating.

Sporting News War Room -
Was regarded as a top prospect until he blew his stack after the Boise State game Would have been a third- or fourth-round pick. Helped himself by handling his suspension so well that Oregon allowed him to return to the team at season's end. Further helped himself with an excellent Senior Bow. Looks better in practice than in games, but has the talent to be a good starting back if he can run with better pad level and improve after contact.

Big, strong back who can run through contact.Competitive runner who keeps his legs churning and fights for every last yard. Surprising quickness and agility to make sharp cuts. Strong enough to stone blitzing linebackers in their tracks when he blocks with good technique and effort.

 But is a 'tweener; looks like a big back but runs more like a small one, Is too often an upright runner who does not get his shoulders down, leaving him open to hard hits Lacks explosiveness through the hole and does not have the playing speed to go the distance. Struggles to change directions quickly and lacks the burst to be effective on quick-hitting inside running plays. Not a polished receiver/ will struggle to catch passes in the pros.


ESPN
Excellent height, excellent bulk and adequate top-end speed. Remained healthy during his time at Oregon. Noticeably out of shape heading into 2009 spring practice and suspended for an unknown period of time for failure to fulfill team obligations.
Aggressive runner/ keeps feet moving after contact. Rarely goes down with the first hit and finishes runs.
Must show more patience. Marginal natural instincts and lacks great feel for cutback lanes. However, hits seam in a timely manner when its there.
Quick short-area burst through the first line of defense. Runs with the necessary power and balance to churn out the tough yards between the tackle. A quarter-count late squaring pads and getting downhill.
Shifty open field runner that will run through most arm tackles but will have a tougher time turning the corner at the NFL level.
Good technique and aggressivenesss in pass pro. However, an unpolished route runner whot struggles to separate from man coverage.
7 Ryan Matthews Fresno St 5-11½ 217 4.46
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
19 34 10-1 7.00 4.10  
10 20 Wun      
1.55 2.60 16      

BRS (Gollin) -
Another thumper with an impressive forty time.

Pro Day - (5-foot-11 3/4, 217 pounds) has gained more and more respect throughout this draft process, and his strong pro day performance figures only to enhance his profile. When scouts had a chance to review his game tape following last season, they saw a powerful rusher capable of running between the tackles or on the edge. Then he showed the athletic ability teams are looking for at the NFL Scouting Combine. At the school’s pro day on March 17, he put together another fine workout. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 and 4.48 seconds, had a 34-inch vertical jump and a 4.10-second short shuttle. He stood on the rest of his combine numbers

Sporting News War Room -

Perfect for a team seeking a sledgehammer inside back. Will become a complete player who lacks Pro Bowl-caliber speed and ability, but should have a solid career. Mathews has the chance to play right away on third down because of his ability to block in pass protection. We would pair him with an undersized, fast and explosive back. Lost playing time to other backs and was a first-year starter as a senior.

Powerful inside runner with great pad level, leverage and balance through the hole. Gets downhill fast and looks to run through contact. Keeps his feet moving and falls forward consistently after initial contact. Does a better job of breaking high arm tackles than avoiding contact around his feet. Can dip his shoulder with quick lateral move in the hole to make a defender miss at times.

Much more effective as a north/south runner than he is going east/west. Runs best when he can get to the perimeter and then turn his shoulders downhill. Lacks the elite speed to consistently gain the edge and turn upfield quickly. A strong finisher of runs on the perimeter. Looks to run over tacklers near the sideline rather than trying to make them miss. Not very creative or elusive in space

 Can be a devastating blocker in pass pro, especially against a blitzing safety or linebacker. Great at keeping his shoulders square, rolling his hips and uncoiling his body into contact. Sufficient blocking skills to play right away on thirds downs and in passing situations.

Soft hands / can adjust to the ball in the air as a receiver out of the backfield.Most effective on screens and checkdowns. Tough to tackle in the open field, but lacks the elusiveness to make people miss.More likely to break a tackle than evade anyone on wheels, swings or angle routes.

Exceptional functional strength and power. Runs behind his pads with great lower-body flexibility, nimble feet and balance to bounce. Wears down defenders. Runs with square shoulders and a strong stride. Exceptional toughness, but little elusiveness.

ESPN (Scouts Inc.) -

Good height, excellent bulk and adequate top-end speed.
Torn muscle near his collarbone (2007), Knee and foot injuries (2008). Mild concussion (2009). 
Runs a bit high but explodes into defenders and almost always falls forward. Runs through arm tackles and uses his free hand to slap over-pursuing defenders. Puts hand on the ground when he stumbles.
Reads blocks from fullbacks welbut will out-run the pulling backside guard. Inconistency seeing lanes to the outside when the defense takes away the inside
Downhill, one-cut runner who doesn't waste much motion in the backfield. Good burst through the hole. Can push the pile. Above-average lateral mobility. Can make defenders miss in open field.
Quick enough to turn the corner and appears Faster on film than timed speed but lacks breakaway NFL speed or ideal elusiveness but has enough wiggle to make the first defender miss and is tough to bring down.
Didn't fill a prominent role in Fresno State's passing game and it shows. Will look upfield before securing the ball and drop passes he should catch. Struggles as a pass blocker.
Voted team MVP (2009)

8 Montario Hardesty Tennessee 5-11 ¾ 225 4.49
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
21 41 10-4 6.87 4.14 11.47
10 20 Wun      
1.56 2.65        

BRS (Gollin) -
Combine numbers changed my initial impression. Write ups had suggested a THT type RB (i.e. unspectacular but gets the job done). But Hardesty's Combine measurables suggest elite athleticism and explosion (& all at 225 lbs). This draft seems unusually deep in this type of back and, as such, appears to just what the doc ordered for teams seeking to build backup depth at the position.

Sporting News War Room -
Stepped up to become a potential third-round pick. Struggled to stay healthy early in his career. Likely to be drafted later than we have him rated, but we are confident he has the size, strength, balance and agility to become a strong and physical runner who punishes defenders, gains yards after contact and can carry an offense on his back.

Well built and strong - gains yards after contact. A naturally instinctive runner whose vision enables him to always find open and cutback holes. Quick feet and good agility to make the sharp cut ...Deceptive burst getting. Consistently attacks the hole aggressively, runs with good body lean, keeps feet after hard hits / runs through arm tackles.Surprisingly nimble in traffic/ can make the quick stops and starts. Good hands /can reach out and pluck the ball away from body. Wraps up  ball up to avoid fumbling. Good strength/technique as a pass blocker.

Quicker than he is fast; lacks explosive burst and corner speed on outside runs. Lacks home run speed.Not an elusive, make-you-miss type of runner.


ESPN (Scouts Inc.) -

Good height, adequate bulk and adequate top-end speed.  Knee/Medical red shirt (2005), ankle (2008, sore knees (2009). Team captain.
Fights and rarely goes down with the first hit. Above-average balance/runs though arm tackles. Tries to make defenders miss but unafraid of contact between the tackles. Covers the ball with both hands...
Greatest strength is his vision. Stays poised and does a good job of adjusting when defense gets good initial penetration. Patient / keeps head up. Gets on the hip of lead-blocker...
Downhill one-cut runner / keeps churning legs after contact. Runs a little too high but with good forward lean and almost always falls forward. Makes crisp cuts in the backfield and can cut back again at next level
Lacks breakaway speed and elite explosiveness but quick enough to turn the corner. Not the most elusive open field runner, but changes speeds well and stays balanced to make the first defender miss...
Keeps heads on a swivel and stays alert but can get caught lunging at the pass rusher's feet in pass pro. Hand-catcher/d fluid turning upfield. Played far bigger role in the passing game this past season.
9 Dexter McCluster WR/RB Ole Miss 5-8½ 172 4.44
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
20 37.5 9-10 6.73 4.08  
10 20 Wun      
1.60 2.59 --      
Pro Day - (5-8 1/2, 170) ran 4.44 and 4.45 in the 40 and had a 6.73 three-cone drill

BRS (Gollin) -

Mighty mite who draws comparisons to Sproles and Reggie. Raises an intriguing question: If you put him side by side with LaRod Stephens Howling, how would LSH compare to McCluster? Improved his forty-time from a disappointiung 4.58 to a more respectable 4.44.

Various Senior Bowl Comments -
-The most dynamic running back this week but practice (where defenders were clearly instructed not to wrap up ) was perfectly suited to his game.Did show remarkable strength and balance throughout the season. It will be tougher for him to break free for the 70 yarders that he was routinely zipping through in practice.

When you are 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, you better be explosive, and McCluster is surely that. Will nevero be a powerful short-yardage back, but he ran downhill and was fearless between the tackles. At his best attacking the perimeter and making plays in space. Has separation quicks and ran by Alabama CB Javier Arenas at one point. Also caught the ball well and fielded punts cleanly.

Had an excellent day lining up at RB, WR and PR..Showed quickness, explosiveness and top-end speed on routes and was easily able to get separation from defenders. Ran very sharp routes and consistently turned defenders... excellent hands making tough and acrobatic catches...caught punts very well - very quick and athletic as a returner. Small but tough / good vision and instincts as a runner

The top playmaker on the South offense. Hand catcher.exceptional quickness in the open field...knack of finding the smallest of creases and exploiting it. Problem is that he is only 165 pounds and a liability as a blocker. But any team looking for a dynamic player in the late second or early third round will consider him.

Sporting News War Room -
Short player... Reminds us of a combination of Darren Sproles, Deon Butler and Ahmad Bradshaw...still had doubters before he went to the Senior Bowl and stood out all week. Proved there that he has the explosiveness, elusiveness, playing speed and receiving skills to make it if used correctly. ...has been moving up draft boards - Projects to the 3rd round, although he could be drafted higher. Could be productive as a slot receiver, third-down back and star returner.

Very explosive with the foot quicks, agility and elite playing speed to make big plays. He has outstanding run instincts/vision to find the hole/crease, can make the very fast jump-cut and has an explosive burst to get thru the hole in a flash. Very good hands/ a dangerous runner after the catch. Very tough and highly competitive/keeps his legs churning, fights for every last yard and has the balance, agility and deceptive playing strength to keep feet after hits and to run thru arm/grab tackles. Lined up out at receiver at times and returned kicks/punts. Plays with great passion and intensity on every snap.

Obviously,his lack of ideal size/durability is the biggest negative(though he was very durable in college). Very muscular player for his size and this build makes him seem a little tight (it hindered his ability to twist and catch passes thrown behind him consistently at the Senior Bowl). Will have to establish himself at one position. Also had fumbling issues in college and put the ball on the ground in the Senior Bowl.


ESPN - Nothing to date (Could be writtten up as a WR there).


10 Jonathan Dwyer Ga Tech 5-11 ¼ 229 4.69
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
15 33 8-11 7.58 4.67 --
10 20 Wun      
1.66 2.77 --      
Late Breaking - Cleared after Combine drug test proved positive - it was due to a pre-prescribed medication and the positive result expected


BRS (Gollin) -

Write ups suggest a north-south smashmouth dude. Forty time was disappointing .

Sporting News War Room -
Little doubt about Dwyer's elite physical talent, but played in an option offense & will have to develop the skills required of a pro RB. We love his aggressive and physical running style, which enables him to gain yards after contact and make big plays. While he must learn the nuances of running outside the tackles, the vision and cutting ability he has shown make us confident he can learn how to be productive outside. To become a three-down back, he must compete harder and use better technique in pass protection, and improve his route running and hands. Though option FB's usually scare us a ton, his rare physical talent, excellent playing strength and exceptional inside running ability make us confident he can do what it will take to become an elite back.

Excels inside. Decisive and aggressive attacking the hole. Has an explosive burst plus the speed to outrun the defense. Great balance after hard hits / runs through arm tackles easily. Runs with low pad level to deliver a violent blow, knock tackler backward and break tackle. Quick COD skills/ can make tacklers miss in close quarters. Can make the super-quick jump cut to get around blocker and burst through an open hole. Can bounce outside when the middle is clogged.

Has little experience running outside except on option pitches. Will sometimes fight the ball a little and must secure ball before running aggressively. Can make the sharp cutback against the grain and has the burst to shoot through hole. Will need practice taking handoffs on outside runs and learn patience to follow blockers.

Didn't have to lead block often on running plays, so he definitely will need work to become good at it. Good at lowering shoulders when running, which could be translated to blocking. Decent but inconsistent at cut blocking pass rushers  /not consistently competitive/uses bad techniquein pass pro.


Has little experience catching passes and did not consistently handle pitches cleanly. Did not run any real routes in the games scouts saw.

Tough but did miss playing tim. Must find a way play up to his top performance level when battling injuries.



ESPN


Prototypical height with thick build.  Added a bit too much weight prior to 2009 and looked sluggish. Top-end speed good for  size. Played in all 40 games during three seasons. Consistent, reliable contributor.  Good team player.  Works hard on the field but some questions regarding his discipline and  playing weight.  No off the field issues to our knowledge.
At times will clearly takes the easy way out, particularly as a blocker.  But he runs hard and will fight for extra yards most of the time. 
Hits hole hard.  Rarely gets caught dancing or being indecisive.  Sees holes developing and doesn't waste any time getting to them.  Gets a lot of handoffs close to the line of scrimmage & had to make a lot of quick decisions.
Downhill runner with good initial burst to and through the line of scrimmage.  Hits the hole hard and can bounce off first attempted tackle.  Instinctive inside runner; with good vision.
Good top-end speed for his size.  Can run away from some defensive backs in a foot race.  Gets to top-end speed quickly andcan get to the the corner, but he's not going to be much of a homerun threat.
Limited experience in passing game. Adequate hands and can catch the ball when facing the QB.  Some flashes of catching the ball down fieldbut not a homerun threat after the catch.
11 Joe McKnight USC 5-11½ 198 4.45
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
18 36.5 10-0 -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
1.52 2.58 --      

BRS (Gollin) - Key issue appears to be "toughness. I've been informally tracking McKnight ever since he arrived at USC with a lot of HS hoop-la. The potential remains, but something always seemed to derail it. Guys like McKnight either become "chronic underachievers" or some scout's "steal of the draft."

Sporting News War Room
Should have s
tayed in scho. Lacks the thickness to be a durable NFL starter and will have to prove he is tough enough at the next level. There is little doubt that he has the elite athleticism, top-end playing speed and explosiveness to make big plays when he gets the ball in the open field, but he is not tough or aggressive and struggles to gain yards after contact. While some compare McKnight to Reggie Bush, McKnight isn't even close. He'll probablyl be over-drafted because of workout scores, but we would not use a first or second-round pick on him because we have not seen enough. Best suited to be a mid-round pick who can be tried as a third-down back. Will need to greatly improve his pass blocking and ball security.

Elite athlete with top-level explosiveness and playing speed. Can stop and start in a flash with the explosive cutting ability to get to and through holes fast. Combines good balance, agility and coordination to make tacklers miss; a legit TD threat any time he gets the ball in the open field. Has foot quickness to accelerate to full speed in a flash; outruns some players with angles on him and gets the corner when he bounces runs outside. Has natural, soft hands. Catches the ball well out of the backfield and is a dangerous runner after the catch. Potential as a dangerous returner.

But he has a slight frame/ struggled in college to avoid injuries, including many minor dings; must prove he is tough enough for the NFL. Not an aggressive runner and has a tendency to dance. Tries to bounce almost everything outside; will not lower shoulder and attack line of scrimmage to gain tough yardage.Not good in short-yardage situations. Runs upright, leading to hard hits and limiting his ability to run after contact. Does not gain nearly as many yards after contact as you would expect for someone with his elusiveness.Bad technique as a pass blocker; often lunges at rusher's feet. Lacks instinctiveness as a runner; often fails to follow blocker. Ball-security issues.

ESPN

Long legs with high cut in hips. Thinly built and with good muscle tone but lacks adequate bulk on frame. Excellent quickness but lacks second-gear of an elite homerun hitter. Knee sprain (2007), turf toe and hyper-extended elbow (2008). NCAA rules investigation over use of an SUV.
Surprisingly better finish than measurable would indicate. Fights hard with ball in hand and can be slippery to tackle. Good at picking feet up and is rarely taken down by defenders trying to wrap up low. Has had ball security issues.
Reads keys well. Patient - allowing blockers get into position and let crease develop. Has peripheral vision and natural feel for cut-back lanes. Can be too quick to bounce runs.
Good lateral movement and quick feet when searching for crease. Quick burst through line of scrimmage when hole appears quickly. Utilizes jump cut well avoiding initial penetration. Can get caught making one too many cuts.
Quick short-area burst to consistently hit the perimeter. Utilizes blocks well and has a natural feel when to get vertical up field. At his best when hitting the open field. Balanced and accelerates through cuts providing him with top-notch elusivenes
Has a chance to be a solid contributor in the passing game. Nnatural hands / can adjust to haul in tough catch. Gets to check downs quickly with a natural feel to find open area against underneath zone coverage.
12 Keiland Williams LSU 5-11 ¼ 231 4.49
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
16 33 -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      

Pro Day - (5-11 1/4, 231) ran a 4.54 and 4.49 in the 40, had a 33-inch vertical and did 16 bench press reps.

BRS (Gollin) -
Another solid lunchpail backup guy who can thump.

Sporting News War Room -

Productive but was primarily a backup and did not get the touches necessary to be a prolific player. Good change-of-pace back, caught passes out of the backfield and returned kickoffs. Williams has what it takes to be a good backup running back in the NFL. With his size, strength, sharp cutting ability, instincts and competitiveness, he even has a chance to be a good starting back in a one-cut rushing scheme.

Thick, well-built with the strength, balance and competitiveness to run through hits and arm tackles to gain yards after contact. Has the foot quickness, agility and balance to make sharp cuts, get to open space and run through hole aggressively. A smooth and fluid athlete always is under control, which helps him adjust to and catch off-target passes. Quicker than expected / can get through holes quickly. A technically sound pass blocker who picks up blitzers strongly and aggressively.

Quicker than he is fast. Lacks the explosiveness to shoot through the hole and get behind the defense or the speed to get the corner and take runs the distance. Lacks elusiveness. Does not consistently run with good body lean; will turn body before contact.


ESPN (Scouts Inc.) -

Very good combination of height, bulk and speed.
Carried only a moderate load during three seasons at LSU, / has lots of tread left on tires. Ankle sprain (2008) but played in all 27 games the past two seasons. Very good team player. Dealt with career backup role wel. Had some academic challenges early in his career. No off the field issues
A far more competitive runner than teammate Charles Scott. Tougher blocker who fights harder at the end of runs. A career backup but he has found ways to contribute in other areas.
Good vision as a runner. Doesn't run up the heels of his offensive linemen. Will occasionally dance in the hole. Must show more consistent confidence as an inside runner.
Good burst to and through the line of scrimmage. A shifty runner who can plant and explode up the field with very little wasted motion. Slippery inside/ will bounce off defenders and pick up extra yards after contact.
Good initial burst for his size.Quick and shifty. Will make first defender miss / consistently shakes defenders  one-on-one. Has the burst and body control to turn the corner and get upfield outside.
Just adequate experience as a receiver. Route running skills must improve but he does display reliable hands. Can pluck away from frame on the run.
13 Anthony Dixon Miss State 6-0 ¾ 233 4.61
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
15 33 10-1   4.45 6.85
10 20 Wun      
1.71 2.82 25      
Pro Day - Dixon (6-foot-½, 233 pounds) ran 4.62 and 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash, had a 32-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-10 broad, 4.45 short shuttle, 7.24 three-cone drill, and did 15 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds. Dixon looked good in the position drills, very fluid.

Senior Bowl  - No comments picked up to date.

BRS (Gollin) -
One more big back but he can also catch a little and has a bit of a wiggle. But 4.76 forty won't cut it.

Sporting News War Room
A workhorse for Mississippi State. Every-down back because of his ability to make plays in the passing game. A physical runner who must get stronger to continue at the pro level. Will need to drop some weight and tone his body more. Will not break big runs but could be a nice No. 2 in a two-back system.

Fantastic size. Can be used in any situation but mostly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Smooth, with enough wiggle to make defenders miss. Good balance and a quick initial burst.

But lacks home run speed. Must improve his lower-body strength. Tends to play high and needs work on lowering pad level and in pass pro.


ESPN (Scouts Inc.)
Lacks good top-end speed and still can improve physique, but he is tall, thickly-built and athletic for his size. Only game he did not start during the past two seasons (2007-'08) was because of a coach's decision. Discipline and weight issues will come into question. No off-the-field issues to our knowledge. Earned one of the team's top GPAs (3.25) during spring semester.
Not as overpowering as size might indicate but he will churn his legs and finish runs strong. Sells play-action fakes extremely well.
Adequate-to-good vision. Solid feel for cutback lanes. Could do a better job of working off of lead blocks. More comfortable in one-back set.
Good body control for a big back. Slashing type runner. Lacks elite change of direction skills
Quicker than fast. Good initial quickness for size /good burst through the hole when used as a downhill runner. But does not show the speed and balance to consistently take the corner and turn outside runs up the field.
Some upside though underutilzed as a pass catcher. Quicker than expected. Runs crisp routes and shows good burst out of his breaksHands are solid but not outstanding...
14 Stafon Johnson USC 5-11 214 4.65
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
13 35½ 9-10 -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
1.62 2.65 --      
Senior Bowl  - No comments picked up to date.

BRS (Gollin)  -
Unfortunately known primarily as "the dude who made it back from the weight room injury (noble but overshadows the issue of whether or not he's a good RB. (Size to speed ratio suggests he's got something special there).


Sporting News War Room

A strong back who was having a good senior season before the weight-lifting accident. Some team might take a late-round flyer on Johnson (who was a mid-round prospect before the injury), but he more likely will go undrafted. Long term, he fits in the NFL as backup running back who gets a lot of short-yardage carries and operate as the emergency fullback.

Tough,competitive runner who keeps legs churning after contact and fights for every yard. Good instincts and vision to locate cutback lanes. Is a patient runner who follows blockers well, cutting off their blocks. Good balance & surprising agility to make first tackler miss.
 
A
health risk. Upright runner who lacks wiggle and struggles to make quick jump cuts. Must slow down and take small steps before cuts. A one-speed runner who lacks an explosive burst. Doesn't always attack the hole or lower shoulders to deliver a blow. Not a dangerous receiver, and must improve pass-blocking technique


ESPN
Average height, well built with good top-end speed. Has the skill sets to start and shine on most college programs but showed a  team-first mentality by being a reserve role during his first three seasons at USC
Runs with a sense of urgency. Has the balance and strength to pick up tough yards after contact. Finishes runs falling forward more often than not. But must secure the ball better, especially in close quarters.
Patient runner. Sees and hits cutback lanes extremely well but can also make one too many cuts in the backfield.
Above-average lateral mobility when probing for seam. Turns his pads and gets skinny through creases. A slippery runner that can ward off arm tackles. But doesn't always get north-south quickly enough.
Has the burst necessary to hit the corner at the NFL level / can make defenders miss in the open field, but lacks true breakaway speed.
Physical with excellent technique in pass pro. Raw route runner at this point, but has the burst to separate from man coverage and must improve in this area. Hands are adequate.
15 Brandon Minor Michigan 6-0  214 4.61
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- -- -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      

BRS (Gollin) -
Good backup thumper - If George Young were alive today, he'd continue the tradition of drafting Wolverine RB's for the Giants' roster.

Sporting News War Room -
T
Not the prettiest player, but productive and projected as a third- or fourth-round pick before being injured (rotator cuff surgery). Might not be ready for the start of the 2010 season.Uunlikely a team will take a gamble on him until late, if he is drafted at all. A sleeper with the size, strength and deceptive athleticism to become a good starting back if he can make it back.

Powerful straight-line runner who looks to punish the defender. Strong lower body/finishes all runs with force. Can move the pile. Plays under his pads well. Can see and hit the hole after his initial cut. Runs with good balance and shiftiness. Will break arm tackles.

But not fast or quick. Rarely makes the defender miss in the open field. Does not show much effort blocking. Marginal hands/ struggles to catch the ball outside his frame. Durability issues.



ESPN No info to date
16 Dmitri Nance Arizona St 5-10¾ 233 4.61
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- -- -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      

BRS (Gollin) -
Write up caught my eye - until the bit about fumbling.


Sporting News War Room -
Well built /definitely looks the part. Competitive running style, toughness and strength to gain yards after contact. But if he ever wants to become an NFL starter, he must greatly improve ball security. We doubt Nance will be drafted as high as we have him rated. But if he can learn to protect the ball, he has all the tools to become a productive starter.

Quick and athletic with good playing strength. Good vision and instincts; has the quickness and agility to make the jump-cut and has a quick burst through the hole.Patient runner who follows blockers well, rides their hip until a hole opens and then cuts off their block. Nimble and agile moving in tight quarters; can cut quickly to avoid hits and get around blockers to an open spot. Strong runner with good balance and agility. Keeps his legs churning and fights for every yar. Good hands / productive part of Arizona State's passing attack. Good strength and technique blocking pass rushers.

But has a fumbling issue (including East/West Shrine practices). Is quicker than he is fast. Must do a better job of keeping his feet moving after initial contact in pass pro.


ESPN No info listed
17 Andre Anderson Tulane 5-10 ½ 205 4.56
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- -- -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      
 


Sporting News War Room -

H
as many of the tools NFL teams look for in a starter, including toughness, competitiveness, tackle-breaking ability, excellent instincts, patience and deceptive foot quickness. However, his lack of explosiveness, top-end speed and elusiveness will relegate him to being a backup in the NFL.Reminds us of Jamal Anderson, but we would not draft him until late because we do not believe he can become a productive full-time starting back. However, we are confident he can be a very good backup who contributes in a variety ofreceiving to short-yardage roles.

Very competitive, strong runner who consistently can keep his feet after hard hits. Runs through arm tackles and gains yards after contact. Gets his shoulders down and delivers a bloe. Very patien / does an excellent job of following his blockers. Ssurprisingly good burst through the hole. Runs instinctively; sees the hole well and can make the sharp cut to get through it. Good hands. Has the agility and body control to twist body and adjust to catch off-target throws.

Quicker than fast. Lacks the explosiveness to burst through the hole and get behind the front seven quickly. Lacks the burst or playing speed to get the corner on his own; cannot take plays the distance. A one-speed runner; does not get to full speed fast. Gets caught from behind by defenders.Not elusive.



ESPN - No info to date
18 James Starks Buffalo 6-2 218 4.51
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
15 36.0  9-11 6.89 4.23  
10 20 Wun      
1.62 2.60 --      


Sporting News War Room -
N
ot an elite athlete but maximizes his talent through effort, determination and competitiveness.Because of the shoulder injury, likely will fall to the end of the draft but should make an NFL roster as a backup. Lack of explosiveness and speed could undermine an NFL career.

Tough and competitive, consistently keeping his legs churning to fight for every yard. Runs with good body lean in traffic, lowering his shoulders to make himself a smaller target and deliver a blow to would-be tacklers. Runs through arm tackles and maintains his feet after the hit consistently. Patient and instinctive runner who follows blockers, waits for holes to open and then attacks. Catches the ball well out of the backfield. Works hard in pass pro, and can be productive when using good technique.

But more of a one-speed runner lacking explosiveness and elite speed. Also lacks the quickness to make jump cuts, the burst to shoot through holes and the speed to score on long runs. Must gather himself before making a cut. Needs a lot of work on pass-blocking technique. Durability risk.



ESPN

Good height, good bulk and adequate top-end speed. Hip and turf toe (2008/Spring 2009). A dual threat that with over 30 catches in each of his first three collegiate seasons. Played on Niagara Falls' nationally-ranked basketball team.
Nose for the goal line, but inconsistent / wed would like to see more aggressiveness in running style. Ball security is good. Keeps the ball high and tight.
Lacks ideal patience. Too quick to hit cut back lanes and can miss the hole on the front side as a result. Would like to see him run more North- South.
Good lateral movement and quick feet when looking for a hole to open. However, not as punishing a runner as size suggests and needs to run with lower pad level.
A glider who can hit the corner and be a load to tackle when gets into space but lacks the wiggle to consistently makedefenders miss in the open field.
Gets into routes quickly and can separate from man coverage. Natural pass catcher but could be more fluid turning upfield after the catch. Willing to help out in pass pro but technique is undeveloped at this point.
19 Keith Toston Oklahoma St 5-11¾ 213 4.75
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
22 32 9-2 -- 4.66 --
10 20 Wun      
1.68 2.76 --      
Sporting News War Room -
Tough and an aggressive running back who had a strong senior season after being primarily a backup. An ideal fifth- or sixth-round pick who should become a good backup tailback and short-yardage runner. Ideal for one-cut style rushing attack.

Instinctive runner with good vision, especially in the open field/follows blockers well. Finds holes well and has quickness to get through them. Good strength and balance /keeps legs churning and consistently able to keep feet after. hard hits and run through arm/grab tackles to gain yards after contact. Catches the ball well out of the backfield and does a good job of getting upfield quickly after the catch.

More of a one-cut/straight-line runner who lacks the agility to be an elusive-make-tacklers-miss type. Cannot stop and start well enough to wiggle through traffic until he finds a crease. Lacks explosive burst through the hole and top-end speed to take plays the distance. Must wrap the ball up better with both arms in traffic to avoid fumbling. 


ESPN No info to date
20 Darius Marshall Marshall 5-9¼ 190 4.68
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
18 35½ 9-1 7.13 4.34 --
10 20 Wun      
1.66 2.77 --      

Pro day - Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.70 and 4.68 seconds, had a 4.34-second short shuttle, a 7.13-second three-cone drill and did 18 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds.

Sporting News War Room -

A
three-year starter at running back and kick returner for Marshall. Enough size, speed, athletic ability and receiving skills to be a third running back in an NFL rotation. Deserves fifth-round draft consideration.Reminds us of Javon Ringer.

Strong, instinctive - runs hard after contact. Has the patience to follow his blockers. NFL-caliber foot quickness, balance, lateral avoidance, COD / gear-changing ability. Powerful inside runner with a good stiff arm, good pad level and good forward body lean through the hole. Soft hands / can adjust to the ball when it's in the air. Runs well after the catch; makes it difficult for one defender to tackle him in the open field. Productive kickoff returner.

But lacks the playing speed and acceleration to run away from defenders with angles on him. Only average size with limited growth potential.Poor pass blocker because of his lack of size and effort. Shows no interest in lead blocking for a wildcat QB. Ball security issues.


ESPN No info to date
21 Shawnbrey McNeal SMU 5-9 194 4.56
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
14 36.0 9-9 -- --  
10 20 Wun      
1.65 2.69 --      
Sporting News War Room -
Was SMU's starting running back for one year after transferring from Miami, where he had two undistinguished seasons. Strong third-down back prospect who ideally should serve in the "Reggie Bush" role. Deserves fourth-round draft consideration.

Excellent instincts, cutback vision and elusiveness as a runner, especially in the open field. Outstanding speed, foot quickness, lateral agility, explosiveness, acceleration and gear change. Soft hands / runs excellent routes from the backfield and as a slot receiver. Adjusts well to the ball in the air and runs well after the catch. Has the skills to be a quality return man

Undersized with limited potential to develop into an every-down NFL RB. Played in a run-and-shoot college offense with a one-back formation. Merely above-average strength on contact .Marginal pass blocker due to his lack of size, strength and effort. Only one productive season in college. Limited experience as a return man.



ESPN - No info to date.

22 Joique Bell Wayne St 5-11¾ 217 4.68
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
16 36.5 10-0 6.84 4.17 11.33
10 20 Wun      
1.63 2.73 --      
Pro Day -  (5-foot-11, 217 pounds), ran 4.72 and 4.68 seconds in the 40-yard dash and did 16 bench press repetitions. He did position drills and stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. Bell had a personal workout with the Indianapolis Colts

Various Senior Bowl Comments -
Quietly helped himself this week and( one of the  "honorable mention" risers from the week of practices). Many scouts had not even heard of Bell, much less seen him in person. He'll need to prove as tough to tackle in the game, itself, but he showed scouts an intriguing combination of balance, burst and power. His short-stride running style makes him appear to be running slower than he is, making DBs misjudge their angles on him.


Sporting News War Room -
No info to date.

ESPN (Scouts Inc.) - Adequate height with good bulk for his frame but top-end speed is average at best.  Durability is a non-factor as he has yet to miss game action due to injury. Experience lining up at quarterback and receiver as well as running back. Can run the 'Wildcat' offense. Named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for 2007 Winter term.

Runs hard and lowers shoulders into defenders. Strong stiff arm. However, ran out of bounds after picking up just three yards on a3rd & 4 vs. Ferris St.

Can exploit cutback lanes but is sometimes too patient and appears indecisive. Could do a better job of cutting up behind trapping guards.

Not enough of a downhill runner. Makes too many cuts behind the line of scrimmage for a back his size.But he has good balance and can bounce off arm tackles and pick up yards after contact.

Quick enough to turn the corner but lacks elite explosiveness and lacks a second gear when turning upfield. Won't make many defenders miss when he gets into space.

Can throw  the ball downfield. Experience lining up at receiver and can catch the ball in stride but will have a difficult time separating from coverage in the NFL. Rounds off routes and doesn't show great burst coming out of breaks

23 Chris Brown Oklahoma 5-10½ 210 4.53
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
17 34½ 9-10 7.09 4.38 --
10 20 Wun      
1.59 2.62 --      

Pro Day - (5-10, 210) who participated at the combine, opted to go through workouts again in order to record better numbers. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 and 4.53, and he recorded a 9-foot-10 broad jump, a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump, 4.38-second short shuttle and 7.09 three-cone drill.

Senior Bowl  - No comments picked up to date.

Sporting News War Room
Will likely be a late-round pick and be a solid backup. But if he does not improve in pass protection he is going to struggle. Lack of size will hinder his ability to contribute on kick-coverage units.

Tough runner with the strength, balance and competitiveness to keep his feet against hard hits and run through arm tackles. Instinctive runner who finds hole well, attacks it aggressively and has deceptive quickness getting through it.  Patient runner who follows blockers well; sits on their hips until they make block to open hole and then gets through it quickly. Decisive and aggressive runner who will lower shoulders to deliver a blow and keep legs churning to gain yards after contact. God hands and a good runner after the catch.Willing to step up and deliver a blow to pass rushers.

Straight-line runner who lacks the elusiveness to make tacklers miss and lacks the quickness and agility to make the sharp jump-cut and make big cutback play. Quicker than he is fast; lacks the explosiveness to get behind the defense nor the speed to score long touchdowns. Gets tracked down by defenders in pursuit too easily.Upright runner who takes hard hits before he decides to lower his shoulders. Short / gets run over by blitzers. Lacks the size to hold up as a starter.
 


ESPN
Adequate height with lean frame. Top-end speed below average for an undersized back. Has shown toughness playing while hurt. Has handled his role as a career backup well. Shows versatility and a willingness to do everything asked of him. A true team player. Only knock is a 2007 suspension for an 'internal issue'.
High-effort guy who will do little things to help his team succeed. As a runner he's not the type to churn out yards after contact but he hits the hole hard and more often than not finishes runs strong.
Adequate-to-good instincts as a runner. Feel for holes opening but does not always find the cutback lane. Could be a bit more decisive working through traffic.
Only adequate size. Tough /will bounce off defenders and keep balance. Not many yards after contact. Runs hard but not with much power behind his pads. Good instincts as an inside runner. Can make the sharp cut.
Adequate initial quickness to occasionally turn the corner but does not burst upfield. Lacks elite elusiveness or a second gear. A one-speed back who has not shown much
Good awareness as a route-runnere. Works hard to get open and will work back to the quarterback. No elite burst as a route-runner but runs crisp routes. Does not strike fear after the catch or as a vertical route-runner. Good instincts in pass pro.
24 Rashawn Jackson (FB) Virginia 6-1 239 4.78
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- 34½ 9-9 -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
1.69 2.81 --      
 
Various Senior Bowl Comments -) The top true fullback in NFLDraftScout.com's rankings for quite some time, and his receiving and blocking skills did nothing to change that rating. Though he needs to work on his punch and hand placement when facing oncoming blitzers, he is athletic enough to be effective in pass protection and be a good positional blocker for the run. His hips are flexible enough to adjust to passes to the flat, elude a defender outside, and get more than a first down after the catch.

Sporting News War Room -Jackson has the size, athletic skills and toughness to be a core special teams player.A solid fullback prospect for a West Coast scheme. Will be worth consideration in the fourth or fifth round and could start as a rookie.

Strong, thick frame with growth potential. A good athlete with lower-body flexibility and a low pad level. Short-yardage run skills and receiving ability.Strong, consistent lead blocker and can hold blocksand hold his position in pass protection.Tough and physical / competes on every play.

Lacks topnotch speed and elusiveness.Bad habit of placing hands outside the frame of a defender as a lead blocker. Not violent on contact. Lacks starting experience. Not a traditional I-formation fullback.

ESPN - No info to date (Could have been posted under "fullback")


25 Lonyae Miller (FB) Fresno State 5-11½ 216 4.51
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
26 36.5 10-0 6.95 4.46 --
10 20 Wun      
1.57 2.64 --      
Pro Day - (5-11 1/2, 216) ran 4.51 and 4.53 in the 40, had a 4.46 short shuttle and a 6.95 three-cone drill.

Various Senior Bowl Comments
Weighs 220 pounds but is trying to run like a scatback. Must do better turning his shoulders upfield and getting downhill. Did a better job as the day went along, stabbing linebackers with a strong punch during pass protection drills, but didn't anchor as well as we'd like from a back his size. Making matters worse, he was chastised by the coaches for lack of effort during punt coverage drills. Scouts are always looking for speed backs with the hands to help on 3rd down.


Sporting News War Room
-
Never able to hold down Fresno State's starting job because of the team's depth. A straight-ahead runner with the skills to be a productive backup and special teams contributor. At the Senior Bowl, he looked dramatically quicker, more agile and more athletic than we expected. But you have to trust the game film (which is why we doubt he will become a starting back in the NF)L. However, based on his Senior Bowl performance, he is one of the more interesting mid-round backs and deserves the "sleeper" label.

Strong, thick build with good arm length. Explosive initial quickness and acceleration through the hole. Brings big-play potential on every touch and is most effective as an off-tackle runner. Good straight-ahead power running inside. Can be a strong finisher downfield.Has top-end speed to run away from defenders with angles on him. Surprising agility, balance, athleticism and cutting ability at the Senior Bowl.

Weaknesses:Narrow vision/does not see cutback lanes. Some hip tightness, which affects his ability to move laterally with quickness and low pad level. Runs high and appears a bit top-heavy. Minimal elusiveness in the open field. Does not play much on third down or obvious passing situations.

ESPN - No info to date


26 DeMarco Murray Oklahoma 6-1 205 4.50
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- -- -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      
 

Sporting News War Room - Not listed

ESPN - No information to date
27 Damon Fletcher So Miss 5-9 ½ 178 4.65
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
8 38 10-1 7.16 4.18 --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      

Pro Day - (5-foot-9 1/8, 182 pounds) ran 4.69 and 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash, had a 38-inch vertical leap, 10-1 broad jump, 4.18 short shuttle, 7.16 three-cone drill, and completed eight bench press repetitions of 225 pounds.

BRS (Gollin) -
If you're not very big, you're gonna have to run faster than 4.65 and bench more than 8 reps.


Sporting News War Room -
No info to date


ESPN- No info to date
28 LeRon Council NW Missouri St 5-10 21? 4.55
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- -- -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      
Sporting News War Room - No info to date

ESPN No info to date
29 Roy Upchurch Alabama 5-11¾ 210 4.55
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- -- -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      
Senior Bowl (S) - No comments picked up to date.

Sporting News War Room - No info to date

ESPN No info to date

NR Alfonso Smith Kentucky 6-1 208 4.38
BP VJ BJ 3-Cone 20S 60S
-- -- -- -- -- --
10 20 Wun      
-- -- --      
ASFN
Only had 712 career rushing yards at 4.1 ypc at Kentucky...so he wasn't used all that much. However, he wowed scouts at his Pro Day by running a 4.38 40. Has very good return ability.

Senior B
owl (S) - No comments picked up to date.

Sporting News War Room - No info to date

ESPN No info to date

Wash St Running back Abdul “Deji” Karim, who did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine outjumped the best RB in Indy  in the vertical leap (43 inches) at Southern Illinois’ pro day workout on March 11. Karim (5-8 1/2, 209) also showed impressive speed, clocking 4.40 and 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash. After showing off his 43-inch vertical leap, Karim had a 10-3 broad jump and posted a 4.33-second short shuttle, 6.95-second three-cone drill, and completed 19 bench press repetitions

RB Javarris James (6-foot 1/4, 215 pounds) ran a 4.59 and 4.63 in the 40-yard dash, had a 4.24-second short shuttle, a 7.07-second three-cone drill and stood on his vertical jump, broad jump and bench press numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine


 

 

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