Tag: Running Backs

Duke Johnson Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2014
Comments
Duke Johnson RB Miami FL #8
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 206

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Size/Athleticism: Bulked up during the offseason prior to junior year. Looks like a more complete running back with the added weight and it may help ease some injury concerns from earlier in his career. Maintained his speed with added weight and is a legitimate home run threat.

Vision: Shows decent vision but his patience is a concern. He hits the first hole he sees hard, but he doesn’t do a great job of waiting for blocks to develop.

Power: Has shown improvement in this area but it will never be a strength. When hit squarely he will get knocked backward. Does not push the pile. Capable of running through arm tackles, but will lose balance from glancing blows.

Speed/Agility: Straight-line speed is among the elite playmakers in this class. Dangerous in space. However, you would like to see a lot more elusiveness between the tackles from a runner of his size. Simply lacks the fluid hips and ankles to string together moves—a skill which is necessary to develop into an elite runner as an undersized ball carrier. Does not play with great balance or agility and struggles to weave between defenders when taking the ball up the middle. Start-and-stop ability is modest, at least when compared to runners with his size and skill set. More of a one-cut runner, which isn’t ideal for his size.

Passing Game: Productive receiver (38 catches in 2014) but technique could be improved. Frequently traps the ball against his body. Gives an effort as a blocker but simply lacks the size and strength.

Intangibles: No known issues. Leaving school early to help support his family.

Durability: Suffered season-ending ankle injury in 2013. Concussion history is unclear, but was knocked out of two games in 2013 after hits which appeared to raise concussion concerns.

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Duke Johnson Chart

Overview: Johnson worked hard to bulk up this past offseason and it paid off. He looks like a more complete back and could be viewed as a runner with feature back potential. However, it’s tough to overlook his limited size and injury history, which is sure to raise some red flags with teams. Johnson reminds me of Boom Herron, who I liked entering the draft and gave a third-round grade.

Ameer Abdullah Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska #8
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 195

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Size/Athleticism: Undersized. Lacks the strength to take a pounding. Impressive athlete. Very smooth in his movements and maintains balance while on the move at high speeds.

Vision: Does a nice job find the hole and hitting it with a burst. Might be a little too patient at times. Hesitant to fight for the tough yardage and will try to bounce it to the outside when it just isn’t there. Too quick to put his head down up the middle at times. Needs to try to squeeze through the tight holes and improve vision between the tackles. Does a nice job finding the cutback lanes.

Power: Runs hard and is willing to run between the tackles. Does not necessarily shy away from contact, but certainly doesn’t seek it out. Lacks the strength to push the pile. Tends to fall forward despite limited yardage after contact.

Speed/Agility: Far and away his best asset. He’s explosive and hits holes with an impressive burst. Acceleration is elite. Gets up to full speed from a dead spot in a matter of steps.

Passing Game: Not a ton of experience as a receiver, but definitely capable of a bigger role at the next level. Shows the ability to extend his arms and pluck poorly thrown passes. Extremely explosive once he catches the ball in the open field. Relies on cut blocks and is inconsistent. Needs to improve awareness in pass protection.

Intangibles: Works hard on and off field. Praised by coaching staff. A team leader.

Durability: Played through a knee injury in 2013.

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Ameer Abdullah Chart

Overview: Abdullah is a talented and explosive runner but does have some limitations. Short running backs can have success at the next level (Doug Martin, for example, was on verge of stardom before injury) but they tend to be much more physical than Abdullah. I would take Abdullah as a change-of-pace back on my team in a heartbeat, but he should not be relied up on as the workhorse at the NFL level. He reminds me of Justin Forsett, who has been successful in spurts, but is not a true feature back.

Melvin Gordon Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin #25
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 207

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Size/Athleticism: Lacks elite size or speed, but has a nice blend of both.

Vision: Relies on his offensive line and is typically a patient runner. Hits the hole with a burst—maybe too hard at times, limiting his ability to adjust to the second level of defenders once he’s in the hole.

Power: More powerful than he gets credit for when running between the tackles. He’s much more of a downhill runner than his highlight reel plays would make you think. Strong enough to break arm tackles and typically falls forward. Does not run with great balance in the open field. Fumbling has been an issue.

Speed/Agility: His long runs have given him the reputation as an elusive playmaker, but he’s really more of a one-cut runner. Lacks the quick footwork, balance and agility to make defenders consistently miss in the open field. But he does have the straight-line speed to take it the distance once he’s given a running lane. Very average change-of-direction ability. Does have the ability to turn on the jets quickly from a dead stop, making him a threat to bounce runs to the outside once the interior is closed off. Speed is an asset, but he doesn’t really have a second gear to turn on in the open field.

Passing Game: A non-factor in the passing game. Does not show great awareness in pass-protection. Does a poor job using leverage to his advantage against pass-rushers. Plays too high as a blocker and gets knocked back easily. Only 20 career receptions.

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

Durability: Missed majority of 2011 season with a groin injury, which resulted in him taking a medical redshirt.

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Melvin Gordon Chart

Overview: Gordon is a one-cut runner with the speed to take it the distance on any given play. He benefitted greatly from playing behind an elite offensive line in college, but he definitely has tools that translate to the NFL game. His fumbling issues and lack of production in the passing game raise some concern, but he has a reputation as a hard worker and both areas can be developed. I do not see him as an elite difference marker in the NFL, but has potential to be an adequate starter if supported by a strong backup who complements him well.

Mike Davis Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Mike Davis RB Clemson #28
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 223

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Size/Athleticism: Well built for his size. Impressive blend of athleticism and strength. Added weight prior to 2014 season to improve his power.

Vision: Impressive combination of vision and patience. Sees the play developing and will wait for his blockers and position himself appropriately while on the move. Only downfall in terms of vision is too much patience. Needs to keep his feet moving, but will occasionally come to stop in the backfield.

Power: More power than your typical 5’9″ runner. Strong legs and easily runs through lazy arm tackles. Capable of lowering his shoulder to initiate contact and run over defenders. Tough to bring down due to his combination of strength and his natural low center of gravity.

Speed/Agility: Does not have elite breakaway speed, but possess enough speed to be a threat in open space. Biggest asset is his balance and quick feet in tight spaces. Can run between the tackles with minimal contact, and squeeze himself through tight holes while maintaining balance and the ability to explode when he hits open space. Impressive lateral movement for a runner with his size.

Passing Game: Reliable receiver who even has experience lining up wide. Soft hands. Does a nice job adjusting to poorly thrown balls. Gives a strong effort as a blocker and knows how to use leverage to his advantage. Limited as a blocker due to his size, but effort and awareness are there.

Intangibles: Younger brother of former Clemson RB James Davis, who played briefly with Browns, Redskins. Conditioning during 2014 season has been question.

Durability: Played through ankle and rib injuries in 2013 which reportedly lingered in 2014 season.

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Mike Davis Chart

Overview: Davis didn’t post the stats of some of the other top running backs in this class, but he is among the most talented ball carriers in this class. His combination of power and agility make him an intriguing prospect and he definitely has the tools to carry the load at the next level. He’s ready for an immediate starting role and could be the type of runner who gets 20+ touches per game, even as a rookie. Questions about his effort and conditioning from his final season at South Carolina hover over his draft stock.

T.J. Yeldon Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
T.J. Yeldon RB Alabama #4
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 221

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Size/Athleticism: Strong but a little on the lanky side due to his height. Elite athleticism for his size.

Vision: A very patient runner with good vision. Sees the whole field and doesn’t get caught off guard by closing defenders. Knows where his lanes are but is quick to adjust.

Power: Not nearly as much power as you’d expect from a 220-pound running back. Plays with inconsistent pad level and does not do a consistent job lowering his shoulders do gain leverage. Runs too high at times.

Speed/Agility: Makes himself smaller than you’d expect running through a crowded line of scrimmage. Quick feet to maneuver through traffic. Shows nice acceleration and start-and-stop ability. Lacks a second gear to be a home run threat. Shows very good balance and hip/ankle flexibility when making subtle moves in the open field for a bigger running back. Lateral mobility is excellent.

Passing Game: A solid check down option. Hands are questionable. Traps against his body.

Intangibles: Very quiet. Coaches speak highly of him.

Durability: Missed game with hamstring and ankle injuries in 2014. Missed time in 2013 with an ankle injury. Over 600 touches in his three years at Alabama. Cited injuries as his primary motivation for turning pro early.

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TJ Yeldon Chart

Overview: Yeldon is sort of a ‘tweener but he has the potential to develop into a workhorse at the next level. His quick feet and vision give him the ability to pick up a ton of extra yards. However, he is surprisingly soft for a guy his size. If he bulks up and adds the ability to run people over to his game, the sky is the limit. At this point he is an Eddie Lacy type running back without Lacy’s elite power. Injuries also factor into the report and raise some concern, but he still looks like a top 100 pick and future starter.