Tag: Running Backs

Tevin Coleman Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Tevin Coleman RB Indiana #6
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 210

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Size/Athleticism: Good measurables but plays smaller than his height/weight would indicate. A good all around athlete, but he’s more fast than anything. Does not necessarily have the elite agility to make him a more dangerous weapon.

Vision: Looks hesitant running between the tackles.  Tends to put his head down and run straight when he doesn’t see a gap immediately. Does not always see holes as they develop. What could be classified as patience looks more like hesitancy to me. Does a poor job adjusting when his initial hole closes, unless he’s on the outside with more space to maneuver.

Power: Limited strength. Does not push the pile. Appears skinny, with limited leg strength. Needs to get on the outside edge to be effective.

Speed/Agility: Breakaway speed. Does not get caught from behind. Impressive acceleration, and capable of hitting the hole with a burst. Dangerous agility in the open field. Can definitely break ankles and is tough to take down one-on-one in the open field. Balance is only average and his start-and-stop ability isn’t great compared to others with his overall skill set.

Passing Game: Definite upside in this area but needs development. Hands are inconsistent. Awareness is limited. Does not do a great job of quickly analyzing the field once he secures the ball—this is potentially what causes some focus drops for him, as he tries to look too early. Routes are inconsistent and does not do a great job finding soft spot in zone as a check down for his quarterback. Gives a decent effort as a blocker but lacks ideal size and technique needs improvements.

Intangibles: Praised by coaching staff. Worked hard to add some bulk during his career.

Durability: Missed three games with ankle injury in 2013.

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Tevin Coleman Chart

Overview: Coleman put together a highlight reel career at Indiana, but I have doubts about his ability to transition to life as an every-down back in the NFL. He really struggles running between the tackles, mostly due to limited vision as he just doesn’t see holes developing and is often late to react. However, he is exceptionally dangerous in space and a legitimate home run threat once he turns the corner on the outside. He has a future in the NFL, but I view him as more of a bigger version of Dexter McCluster and don’t see enough upside to warrant a top-50 pick.

Jay Ajayi Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Jay Ajayi RB Boise State #27
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 216

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Size/Athleticism: Nice blend of size and athleticism but doesn’t stand out in either area. Very average in terms of his physical traits.

Vision: Probably his best asset. Shows the ability to see holes as they open up and also the patience to wait for his blockers.

Power: Adequate size but limited power. Does not appear to have the leg strength to really push the pile.

Speed/Agility: Speed is average. Not really a home run threat, but has enough to get to the edge and break off some longer runs. Lacks acceleration hitting holes. Shows great balance and vision weaving through traffic, but does not have the burst to explode through the hole once it opens up. Plays with excellent balance and has quick feet and fluid hips and ankles to weave through traffic at the line of scrimmage and make defenders miss in tight spaces.

Passing Game: Played a major role in Boise’s passing game, hauling in 50 catches. Shows reliable hands and is capable of concentrating in traffic to make the tough catches. Average blocking skills. Could improve his awareness as a blocker.

Intangibles: Arrested for shoplifting in 2011. Born in England, father from Nigeria but moved in US in 2000. Played a lot of soccer growing up, and at one point considered moving back to England to focus on a soccer career.

Durability: Suffered torn ACL in 2011.

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Jay Ajayi Chart

Overview: Ajayi reminds me of a smaller version of Eddie Lacy. His basic physical traits are limited—he’s very average in terms of size speed—but he makes up for it with patience, vision and incredibly quick feet. He’s at his best running up the middle, not because of his power, but because of his ability to make guys miss in tight spaces. He may not look like a future star, but definitely has starter potential.

Todd Gurley Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
2 Comments
Todd Gurley RB Georgia #3
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 231

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Size/Athleticism: Impressive size. Added weight during his career and has tuned into a bruising downhill runner. Former track star.

Vision: Adequate vision, but he misses opportunities bounce runs to the outside in favor of pounding it up the middle too often. He plays like he loves contact, and turns down opportunities for easy yardage in favor of trying to knock out a defender (which sometimes works due to his strength, but adds to the wear and tear on his body).

Power: A true downhill runner. Looks for contact. Rarely goes down on first contact.

Speed/Agility: Straight-line speed is adequate, but not enough to run away from defensive backs consistently. Balance could be improved. He runs high and doesn’t have the fluid hips and ankles to make defenders whiff in the open field. Quick feet when moving through traffic near the line of scrimmage, but just doesn’t have the fluid athleticism to make those adjustments when moving close to full speed.

Passing Game: Plenty of experience as a receiver out of the backfield (65 career receptions). Shows reliables hands and can even reel in some acrobatic receptions. Strong enough to be an asset in pass protection but still developing technique.

Intangibles: Suspended for four games in 2014 for taking money for autographs.

Durability: Serious durability concerns due to ankle, knee, hip and thigh injuries. Missed time with an ankle injury early in 2013 season, which never fully healed and was still bothering him during 2014 offseason. Also played through a thigh injury in 2013. Suffered torn ACL (left knee) in November, 2014 and missed remainder of season.

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Todd Gurley Chart

Overview: Gurley is a powerful downhill runner with a long history of injuries, casting serious doubt on his NFL future. His quickness and agility are already an area of slight concern, so his recent ACL injury is definitely reason for teams to question his ability to excel at the next level. While he obviously has workhorse potential, I would be nervous about spending a high pick on a runner with his skill set and injury history.

David Cobb Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
David Cobb RB Minnesota #27
Ht: 5’11”
Wt: 229

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Size/Athleticism: Impressive build but has maintained NFL speed and agility. A natural athlete who still moves well for his size.

Vision: Patient and decisive. Bides his time waiting for the hole to develop and then turns on the jets. Displays great timing, hitting holes as they break open.

Power: Primarily a north/south runner who builds momentum and is tough to bring down. Strong legs and is capable of pushing the pile for the tough yardage. Almost always falls forward.

Speed/Agility: Does not have elite breakaway speed, but displays an excellent burst. He hits the hole hard and quickly builds up momentum. Does not have elite ankle-breaking moves but does have quick feet and displays great timing with his moves in the open field. Not your typical power runner who simply looks to run people over—he’s very much capable of shaking free from would-be tacklers with a stutter step or a juke. Great balance allows him to make these moves and maintain momentum.

Passing Game: Limited experience as a receiver (34 career receptions). Generally shows good hands but did have some focus drops. Pass protection is somewhat disappointing considering his size. Awareness in pass protection needs to be improved.

Intangibles: Hard worker and a favorite of the coaching staff.

Durability: Played through a hamstring injury at end of 2014 season.

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David Cobb Chart

Overview: Cobb is a powerful between the tackles runner who reminds me of a young Marshawn Lynch (maybe a little less explosive). He can pick up the tough yardage, but his start-and-stop ability and vision make him much more than just a short-yardage back. The devaluing of the running back position likely pushes him into the late 2nd or 3rd round, but Cobb certainly has the ability to carry the load in the NFL.

Karlos Williams Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Karlos Williams RB Florida State #9
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 223

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Size/Athleticism: Elite size. Shows some flashes of plus athleticism but it doesn’t show up consistently. Above average speed for his size.

Vision: Looks hesitant running between the tackles. Puts his head down too early and misses opportunities. Capable of following his lead blocker but nothing more. No creativity to his runs.

Power: Has the strength to run people over but very inconsistent. Runs too high and doesn’t always gain leverage.

Speed/Agility: Impressive straight-line speed for a power runner. Runs too high. Doesn’t have great footwork and looks awkward trying to avoid tackles at times. Does not have start-and-stop ability. Does not make guys miss at the second level with his footwork.

Passing Game: Productive receiver out of the backfield. Fairly reliable hands but traps against his chest too often. Routes are inconsistent and not explosive in his breaks. Most effective just sitting down in zone coverage as a check down option or swinging out into the flat. Very limited in terms of awareness in pass protection.

Intangibles: Investigated for domestic battery but no charges filed. Moved from safety to running back prior to 2013 season.

Durability: Suffered a broken wrist in 2011. Played through a shoulder injury in 2013.

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Karlos Williams Chart

Overview: Williams has some upside due to his limited experience at running back (he’s a former safety) and flashes of dominance, but his lack of development in 2014 raises some concern. High expectations were set after his 2013 performance, but he was unimpressive and eventually lost carries to true freshman Davin Cook. He’ll be an interesting Day 3 prospect with obvious starter potential, but he’s a developmental prospect with some character red flags.