Paul Perkins Scouting Report

Paul Perkins RB UCLA #24

Size/Athleticism: 5’11”, 210 pounds. Lacks elite speed which gives him the appearance of a lesser athlete, but is far more well rounded in his athleticism than most running backs.

Vision: Patient running with great vision. Does an excellent job waiting for his blocks to develop and hitting the hole hard. Rarely gets caught dancing in the backfield and is extremely efficient.

Power: Rarely runs guys over and could probably add more length strength to improve his overall power. Strong enough to consistent run through arm tackles.

Speed/Agility: Straight-line speed is moderate and he lacks the second gear to run away from faster defensive backs. Elite agility. His footwork is outstanding and is able to consistently make guys miss in tight space. Shows elite lateral agility and a really nice initial burst once he’s found a hole. He’s incredibly difficult to square up, forcing defenders to come at him with arm tackles.

Passing Game: Very good hands and used as more than just a check-down option. A viable weapon out of the backfield, and can make plays on routes down the field.

Intangibles: Entering after redshirt junior year.

Durability: No known issues. 702 career touches at UCLA.

Overview: Perkins is a versatile running back who is turning pro a year early. Excelled as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, developing into a reliable option for Josh Rosen in 2015. Lacks an elite second gear in the open field, but has a nice burst and quick feet to make guys miss. Should be an excellent value on Day 2 and could emerge as a future starter. At worst, his skill set should allow him to be a quality third-down back in the NFL.