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Running Back Evaluation Notes
Ezekiel Elliott*, Ohio State (5116, 225#)
Ran from pistol formation about 90% of time (similar to Carlos Hyde) and often slow-starts while blocking comes together. Nice forward lean and balance and can break arm tackles. Elite burst and top-end speed for size and is capable of long runs on even innocent looking plays. Is not a mover/shaker and will not make much out of nothing. His bounce outside plays likely won’t work in pro game. Will often take the 1-2 yard gain and live to fight another play. Good hands catcher in pass game and shows decent willingness to block. Compares to the NFL, slimmed-down Le’veon Bell. We haven’t seen a RB prospect in a while this fast at this size. Like Bell, I think pro game will benefit him and could reveal very good pass-game skills and 3-down dominance. Round 1
Derrick Henry*, Alabama (6025, 247#)
Big and thick between the tackle runner with elite straight line speed. Needs room and good blocking to get up to speed but if a LB or safety take the wrong angle or hit the wrong gap, he can burn you. Willing blocker and his size helps but his footwork is sloppy and often loses his responsibility. Shows decent hands in pass game (limited film). His productivity in the NFL will have a lot to do with coaching/system. Could be dominant bell cow player if a team wants to lean on him and feed him the ball, but that type of player is becoming rare. Not sure he’s got the all-around skills for some coordinators. Round 1-2
Jordan Howard*, Indiana
Big and tall with nice forward lean and good pad level through hole. Good tire drill player and gets positive yardage even when there are blocking problems. Nice burst when he sees an opening. Size to be good blocker but needs a bit more urgency and recognition of where the pressure is coming from. Kind of a poor-man’s Derrick Harvey in this draft you could get 1-2 rounds later. Round 2-3
Kenneth Dixon, LA Tech
Lots of cradle ability to run ball and great natural feel to run away from trouble. Played for bad team in “pistol” set ups way too much. Good in pass game and has ability to run routes and threaten linebackers. Ideal RB size that runs low to ground and can cut on dime. Lots of potential here when he can get away from his horrible offensive line and play calling. Round 2-3
Keith Marshall*, Georgia
Highly rated recruit that tore ACL a couple years back and hasn’t come back 100% (can seem tentative). One of the highest ceilings in this draft and is an explosive, fast athlete. Prototypical one-cut runner that can run behind a lead blocker and make quick, downhill decisions. Explodes through line of scrimmage and has the power to break through arm tackles. Big enough to be a 3-down back and hold up on pass protection and limited route tree. I don’t understand the negatives on him yet, but in the right system this kid has 1500 yard potential. Round 3
Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
I think his tape is noticeably better than Alex Collins. While top-end speed might be an issue, he has a very good 10-yard split and is an exceptional patient runner in the hole. He also shows some nifty open field ability to make a DB miss. Pass blocking could use work and too often ducks head, dives low or misses assignment. Not a factor much in pass game. A true old school tail back that likes being 7-8 yards behind LOS and likes to see play develop. Round 3-4
C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
Bell-cow back in an NFL style offense and shows ability to play in variety of formations and positions. Good, thick lower half and looks the part of an NFL back. Decent in pass game and has size to block and understands pass game. Not a lot of negatives but not a lot of great, plus attributes either. Safe pick with high floor and low ceiling. Round 4
Devontae Booker, Utah (5110, 212#)
Team captain and try-hard talent that might lack NFL athleticism. Could be maxed out but will wait for combine performance. Plays tough, bounces well, head in the game, good football IQ. A Belichick type running back. Will have to improve on blocking (effort is good, execution is not). Looked overmatched at times vs. Michigan defenders. Round 4
Paul Perkins*, UCLA
Looks bigger than 208# on film and lacks burst a player his size should have. Nice feet in hole and has good vision to make people miss, but can’t really run away from people. Not enough quicks. Worry about jump to NFL speed without a lot of other great attributes to fall back on. He’s a decent college back and can play all 3-downs, but don’t expect him to set the world on fire rushing the ball because he won’t generate enough big plays to counter the 1-2 yard gainers. Round 4
Alex Collins*, Arkansas (5110, 218#)
A bit jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none in my evaluation. A ramp-up speed player and doesn’t have enough burst at the line of scrimmage. Good size and potential to be 3-down player, but overall, I don’t see many elite traits that will translate into anything more than a contributing back at the next level. To me this type of talent is pretty typical in drafts. Round 4
Not reviewed but could be in top-10:
Josh Ferguson, Illinois
Kelvin Taylor*, Florida
Jhurell Pressley, New Mexico St.
Daniel Lesco, Cal
Tyler Ervin, San Jose St.
Ezekiel Elliott*, Ohio State (5116, 225#)
Ran from pistol formation about 90% of time (similar to Carlos Hyde) and often slow-starts while blocking comes together. Nice forward lean and balance and can break arm tackles. Elite burst and top-end speed for size and is capable of long runs on even innocent looking plays. Is not a mover/shaker and will not make much out of nothing. His bounce outside plays likely won’t work in pro game. Will often take the 1-2 yard gain and live to fight another play. Good hands catcher in pass game and shows decent willingness to block. Compares to the NFL, slimmed-down Le’veon Bell. We haven’t seen a RB prospect in a while this fast at this size. Like Bell, I think pro game will benefit him and could reveal very good pass-game skills and 3-down dominance. Round 1
Derrick Henry*, Alabama (6025, 247#)
Big and thick between the tackle runner with elite straight line speed. Needs room and good blocking to get up to speed but if a LB or safety take the wrong angle or hit the wrong gap, he can burn you. Willing blocker and his size helps but his footwork is sloppy and often loses his responsibility. Shows decent hands in pass game (limited film). His productivity in the NFL will have a lot to do with coaching/system. Could be dominant bell cow player if a team wants to lean on him and feed him the ball, but that type of player is becoming rare. Not sure he’s got the all-around skills for some coordinators. Round 1-2
Jordan Howard*, Indiana
Big and tall with nice forward lean and good pad level through hole. Good tire drill player and gets positive yardage even when there are blocking problems. Nice burst when he sees an opening. Size to be good blocker but needs a bit more urgency and recognition of where the pressure is coming from. Kind of a poor-man’s Derrick Harvey in this draft you could get 1-2 rounds later. Round 2-3
Kenneth Dixon, LA Tech
Lots of cradle ability to run ball and great natural feel to run away from trouble. Played for bad team in “pistol” set ups way too much. Good in pass game and has ability to run routes and threaten linebackers. Ideal RB size that runs low to ground and can cut on dime. Lots of potential here when he can get away from his horrible offensive line and play calling. Round 2-3
Keith Marshall*, Georgia
Highly rated recruit that tore ACL a couple years back and hasn’t come back 100% (can seem tentative). One of the highest ceilings in this draft and is an explosive, fast athlete. Prototypical one-cut runner that can run behind a lead blocker and make quick, downhill decisions. Explodes through line of scrimmage and has the power to break through arm tackles. Big enough to be a 3-down back and hold up on pass protection and limited route tree. I don’t understand the negatives on him yet, but in the right system this kid has 1500 yard potential. Round 3
Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
I think his tape is noticeably better than Alex Collins. While top-end speed might be an issue, he has a very good 10-yard split and is an exceptional patient runner in the hole. He also shows some nifty open field ability to make a DB miss. Pass blocking could use work and too often ducks head, dives low or misses assignment. Not a factor much in pass game. A true old school tail back that likes being 7-8 yards behind LOS and likes to see play develop. Round 3-4
C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
Bell-cow back in an NFL style offense and shows ability to play in variety of formations and positions. Good, thick lower half and looks the part of an NFL back. Decent in pass game and has size to block and understands pass game. Not a lot of negatives but not a lot of great, plus attributes either. Safe pick with high floor and low ceiling. Round 4
Devontae Booker, Utah (5110, 212#)
Team captain and try-hard talent that might lack NFL athleticism. Could be maxed out but will wait for combine performance. Plays tough, bounces well, head in the game, good football IQ. A Belichick type running back. Will have to improve on blocking (effort is good, execution is not). Looked overmatched at times vs. Michigan defenders. Round 4
Paul Perkins*, UCLA
Looks bigger than 208# on film and lacks burst a player his size should have. Nice feet in hole and has good vision to make people miss, but can’t really run away from people. Not enough quicks. Worry about jump to NFL speed without a lot of other great attributes to fall back on. He’s a decent college back and can play all 3-downs, but don’t expect him to set the world on fire rushing the ball because he won’t generate enough big plays to counter the 1-2 yard gainers. Round 4
Alex Collins*, Arkansas (5110, 218#)
A bit jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none in my evaluation. A ramp-up speed player and doesn’t have enough burst at the line of scrimmage. Good size and potential to be 3-down player, but overall, I don’t see many elite traits that will translate into anything more than a contributing back at the next level. To me this type of talent is pretty typical in drafts. Round 4
Not reviewed but could be in top-10:
Josh Ferguson, Illinois
Kelvin Taylor*, Florida
Jhurell Pressley, New Mexico St.
Daniel Lesco, Cal
Tyler Ervin, San Jose St.
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