Scouting Reports- RB

A-H / I-P / Q-Z

Josh Adams                                                                                                                              Wake Forest

    Is a little undersized.  Runs hard and will fight for extra yards but isn't overly strong.  Has good balance and decent vision.  Only has average speed and isn't overly shifty.  Catches the ball ok out of the backfield.  Decent college player who lacks any special qualities and might find it hard to carve out a niche in the next level.

Anthony Allen                                                                                                                          Georgia Tech

    Has good size and has really good speed for a bigger back.  Is strong in the lower body and can be hard to bring down.  Is a straight line runner who is pretty stiff in the hips and doesn't have very much make you miss ability.  His hands are questionable.  His lack of ability to make defenders miss will keep him from ever being a #1 back but he might be able to win a roster spot due to the fact that he is tough and can help on special teams.

Armando Allen                                                                                                                          Notre Dame

    Is a little undersized but not by much.  Has really good vision and shiftiness.  Has the ability to make defenders miss.  Has decent speed but not elite.  Did a much better job this year running between the tackles.  Runs hard and shows good toughness.  Is a good route runner and catches the ball well.  Despite his lacks of ideal size he does a decent job in pass protection.  Has the skills to be a decent complementary back but has serious durability concerns that will likely keep him undrafted.  He suffered a broken leg in high school.  In college he suffered a broken hand, missed time with an ankle injury and had this past season cut short due to a hip flexor injury that required surgery to repair cartilage on both sides of his hip.  This injury requires a long rehab, making it questionable whether or not he will have a chance to workout for clubs before the draft.  He was the main starter the past two seasons and was not able to start more than eight games either season due to injury.  He has the talent to play in the NFL the question is whether he will be durable enough to make any sort of impact.

Remene Alston Jr                                                                                                                             Oregon

    Short RB with a fairly strong lower body.  Has good quickness and speed.  Runs hard but lacks shiftiness.  One dimensional type back.  Got a little lost in the loaded Oregon backfield.  Probably lacks the allusiveness needed to make it but might be worth bringing to camp.

Matt Asiata                                                                                                                                            Utah

    Power back with good size.  Is strong and is hard to bring down.  Has average speed for someone his size.  Lacks shiftiness and is more of a one cut type RB who would rather run the defender over than try to make him miss.  Has good patience and decent vision.  Runs with good forward lean.  Catches the ball ok.  Skill set and ability might better fit FB and he could get a look there if he is willing to embrace blocking.  Could make a roster if he shows some versatility and is able to contribute on special teams.

Jeremy Avery                                                                                                                                  Boise St

    Undersized RB who has some quickness and speed.  Backed up Doug Martin.  Is really tentative when lined up at RB.  Isn't able to run between the tackles.  Catches the ball well and can make things happen out in space.  Could get a look as a slot WR.  Isn't overly special and will really struggle to carve out a niche for himself.

Baron Batch                                                                                                                                Texas Tech

    Undersized RB who has some quickness.  He has good feet and balance.  Despite his lack of size he has good strength and will break a number of tackles.  Shows toughness and isn't afraid to try to run defenders over.  Doesn't have elite speed but has decent speed.  Catches the ball well.  Struggles in pass protection.  Doesn't look like an every down back but he could develop into a decent change of pace back.

Damien Berry                                                                                                                             Miami (Fla)

    Got the opportunity to be the main guy as a senior and had a really productive season.  Has good bulk and runs really hard.  Can be tough to bring down and typically gets positive yards.  Plays with good emotion.  Has some burst and while he lacks breakaway speed, he has decent speed for a move the chains type.  Has decent vision to find the hole but is really a straight ahead runner who lacks shiftiness.  Catches the ball alright but doesn't always look the ball all the way into his hands.  Started his college career as a S and contributes on special teams.  Isn't overly special but is the type of player that coaches will like because he plays hard, secures the ball (didn't fumble through college career), can help as a short yardage back while being a safe backup and he can contribute on special teams.  Figures to get some attention late in the draft.

Allen Bradford                                                                                                                                        USC

    Has a tremendous combination of size and speed.  He is a big back but he has the speed to take it the distance.  Didn't get many opportunities but when he did, he tended to make the most of them.  In games that he got over 10 carries he ran for 131 yards against Minnesota, 223 yards against Washington and 212 yards against rival UCLA.  The only game where he got over 10 carries and struggled was Stanford, but it wasn't like he was the only RB to struggle against Stanford last year.  He finished the season with 7.2 yards per carry.  He is really explosive and has good feet.  He has good vision and has the ability to make a defender miss even though he is a bigger back.  His combination of size and speed makes him really hard to tackle.  He runs with good forward lean and has the ability to fall forward for positive yards.  I was constantly baffled as to why he didn't get more opportunities.  I don't know if there was something behind the scenes but by all accounts I have seen he was a well respected teammate who didn't complain.  The one big issue in his game is ball security.  I don't know if this was the only reason to use him sparingly but he did fumble way too much.  If he can find a cure for his fumbling problem then he could be a steal in the draft.  He figures to be a day three pick but he has the ability to be a really good RB in the NFL.  His play is similar to Michael Bush.

DeAngelo Branche                                                                                                                       Norfolk St

    Is a little undersized but has good quickness.  Had a fairly productive career but will be making a jump in competition.  Doesn't show very much make you miss ability and doesn't break very many tackles.  On the next level he is going to have to show more than just quickness.  He also doesn't have very good hands.

Preston Brown                                                                                                                         Tennessee St

    Undersized small college player who has really good speed.  Has good quickness but is a little stiff and isn't real shifty.  Makes a ton of big plays on this level because every now and then he will break a tackle and then be gone with his good speed.  I really question whether he will be able to break a lot of tackles in the NFL.  He catches the ball ok but he really struggles in pass protection.  He lacks size and almost always dives at the defender.  Good small school player who might lack the ability needed but is worth bringing to camp to see if his game translates to the next level.

Donald Buckram                                                                                                                                  UTEP

    Burst onto the scene with a huge 2009 but suffered a knee injury right before the start of the 2010 season and looked like a shell of himself all season.  He didn't show the tremendous speed and great cutting ability in the open field that he possessed the year before.  He ran well at his pro day, so he might be getting back to where he was physically but there were some concerns about his game before the injury.  Before the injury if there was a big hole he could hit it fast and then make defenders miss in the open field.  If there wasn't a big hole, he was really tentative.  He also didn't show really good vision to find the hole if it wasn't obvious.  He is also undersized and isn't going to push the pile or break very many tackles.  He catches the ball ok so he may get a look as a change of pace back.  Is too much of a gamble to get drafted but you can't teach speed and explosiveness so he is bound to get invited to a camp.

Delone Carter                                                                                                                                 Syracuse

    Compact RB who climbed the draft board with good performances at the end of the season.  He has good size and is thick in the lower body.  For such a thick guy he has pretty good make you miss ability which complements his ability to lower he head and drive over tacklers.  He has good quickness and vision.  He runs hard but does a good job setting up blocks.  He ran decently at the combine but he really lacks breakaway speed; however, he has enough speed to be a move the chains type.  He catches the ball ok and does a good job blocking.  Potentially could be a better pro than college player because he didn't always get good blocking at Syracuse.  He has good ability but has some off the field and durability concerns.  Was suspended for being charged with assaulting another student over a snow ball incident.  Before that he was generally considered a good leader and role model.  He missed 2007 with a hip injury.  This past season he was bothered by that hip again.  He has the ability to be a good backup to a decent starter in the NFL and figures to be a mid to late round pick depending on whether he can put questions about his character and durability at ease.

John Clay                                                                                                                                      Wisconsin

    Underclassman who is a big power back.  Tends to run a little upright which leaves him exposed to hits.  Is big and hard to bring down and tends to get better as the game wears on.  Ran poorly at the combine but plays faster than he times.  He shows pretty impressive explosiveness for a big guy and while he doesn't have breakaway speed he has decent speed.  Has good vision and can find the cut back lane which is unusual for a big guy.  He wasn't used much as a receiver and doesn't look real natural there.  He benefitted from a good offensive line at Wisconsin and there will be question as to whether he can get yards on his own.  This past year he wasn't as effective because he rotated with a number of guys rather than getting the majority of carries and wearing down the defense.  This affects his stock because he isn't someone you are confident that you can plug him in there as the workhorse but he hasn't been overly effective when he isn't the workhorse.  A little bit of boom or bust, his workout numbers might keep him from being drafted but he is a better player than his numbers suggest; however, he may have a hard time securing a roster spot as he develops. 

Graig Cooper                                                                                                                              Miami (Fla)

    Looked like he might be the next great RB from Miami in 2009 but suffered a torn ACL in their bowl game.  Really looked like a shell of himself this past season.  As the season wore on and particularly in the Shrine game he has started to look more like his old self, although he isn't completely there.  Before the injury he showcased a good combination of speed and power.  He had some cutting ability and at times could make defenders miss but he also had the ability to lower his head and break some tackles.  He was productive catching the ball out of the backfield and also contributed as a kickoff and punt returner.  This past season he tried to contribute in all these roles but really lacked explosiveness and didn't have the cutting ability he used to have.  In the Shrine game he looked a little more explosive than he had during the season so he might be getting back to his old self.  One area he does need to work on (and always has) is pass protection.  Is a gamble because you never know if he is going to get all the way back but would make some sense as a priority free agent.

Dwight Dasher                                                                                                            Middle Tennessee St

    Played QB but really lacks the accuracy to be considered there.  His team had more success when he just drops back and then runs with the ball.  He is really short for QB but has good size for RB.  Has really good RB skills.  He shows good vision in the open field and has good allusiveness.  Has good speed and runs hard with the ball.  Will be a project due to never lining up at RB and not having experience catching the ball or blocking.  Has good cutting ability but turns his ankles a lot and brings about questions about his ankle strength.  Has also dealt with a lot of nagging injuries.  He typically plays through them but he might lack durability needed for RB.  Missed the beginning of the season due to being suspended for taking an improper loan.  Has some potential as a developmental back but also might have too many questions.

Noel Devine                                                                                                                            West Virginia

    Undersized RB who really struggled his senior season due to turf toe.  Before the injury he showed really good lateral quickness and speed.  Has big play ability who has shiftiness to make defenders miss.  Catches the ball alright but doesn't look like he has soft hands.  Entered the season a wildcard because he had been so productive but really lacks size.  Durability and running between the tackles were a question mark.  Questions that have gone unanswered.  Has a good understanding of who to block in pass protection but doesn't offer much as a blocker because he is so small and he has a tendency to shy away from contact.  Due to the injury he will be given a pass on much of this past season.  The incredibly frustrating thing about this past season was his inability to hold onto the ball.  With turf toe it is understandable to not be as explosive and elusive but it shouldn't affect your ability to hold onto the ball.  Too often he had the ball just ripped out of his hands.  Has potential as a change of pace type back but durability and fumbling concerns make him a boom or bust type.

Dan Dierking                                                                                                                                      Purdue

    Tough college RB who runs hard.  Lacks ideal size and lacks breakaway speed.  Straight ahead runner who lacks shiftiness.  Runs low to the ground and will break some tackles.  Has decent vision and decent feet.  Really isn't much of a prospect at RB but is a really good special teams player.

Shaun Draughn                                                                                                                     North Carolina

    Was one of the many Tarheels that were suspended and missed beginning of season.  Being out gave Johnny White a chance to secure the starting spot.  Started a couple games late in season after White got hurt.  Isn't overly big and lacks some breakaway speed.  Has a little make you miss ability and good acceleration.  Runs hard but is a little upright.  Doesn't take a bunch of big hits but has had some nagging injuries throughout career including a shoulder injury in 2009.  Ended the season well and might be a little under the radar.  Could develop into a complimentary back but doesn't seem likely to get drafted.

Darren Evans                                                                                                                          Virginia Tech

    Underclassman who surprisingly entered the draft.  Led team in rushing in 2008 but missed the next year due to a torn ACL.  Lacked the explosiveness that he had before the injury.  It improved a little as the season wore on so it might return some the further he gets away from the injury.  Has really good vision.  He runs hard and is difficult to bring down.  Has a little shiftiness but is more of a one cut and go type back.  Doesn't look natural catching the ball but does a good job blocking in pass protection.  At one point he looked like he would be a top back but now is more of a roll of the dice due to not completely returning to form from injury.  Might get a look late in the draft or as a priority undrafted free agent and could surprise if he regains some of his explosiveness.

Mario Fannin                                                                                                                                     Auburn

    Big back who has decent speed.  Regressed as a senior and struggled to get opportunities because he was outplayed by other RBs on the roster.  Straight ahead runner who hopes defenders bounce off him.  Really lacks vision and often has trouble finding the hole.  Really inconsistent catching the ball which seems to have more to do with concentration and hands.  Is physical and is a good blocker and can break some tackles.  Has a history of fumbling and fumbled the ball a lot this past season considering how few touches he had.  Has a good combination of size and speed and is likely to get a chance but is a better athlete than football player.

Jay Finley                                                                                                                                            Baylor

    Has good size and is really strong in the lower body.  Runs hard and while he lacks breakaway speed, he has decent speed for a big guy.  Has surprising shiftiness and can make the defender miss from time to time.  Runs with good pad level and stays square to the line of scrimmage.  Has decent vision and is a good blocker.  Is a little bit of a long strider.  Lacks an elite quality needed to be a starter but has a chance to develop into a backup if he is able to show something on special teams.

V.J. Floyd                                                                                                                               Southern Miss

    Has decent size.  Has some cutting ability but isn't a make you miss type.  Only has average speed but runs hard and shows good patience.  Catches the ball ok.  Is a willing blocker but really struggles at it.  Decent college player who might not be special enough for next level.

C.J. Gable                                                                                                                                               USC

    Highly rated player out of high school who never really developed into the player everyone imagined.  Struggled to get playing time with all the talented RBs at USC.  Has good size.  Is more powerful than his size would indicate.  Has decent speed but lacks quickness.  Is really tentative finding the hole and will give up yards due to his indecisiveness.  Has some experience as a kick returner.  Doesn't look like much of a prospect. 

Alex Green                                                                                                                                         Hawaii

    Has decent size and can really accelerate.  Has really good quickness and speed.  He can really get downfield in a hurry if there is a big hole.  Not real shifty or elusive and he doesn't break many tackles.  Doesn't have a lot of high competition experience and hasn't proved that he can be a workhorse.  Has an upright style and will take some hits.  Played in a passing offense that might have inflated his success.  Doesn't look real natural catching the ball and doesn't have a lot of experience in pass protection.  Qualifies as an interesting developmental type that could get selected in the mid to late rounds of the draft.  His lack of elusiveness and ability to break tackles might be a big problem on the next level but he has some rare physical qualities.

John Griffin                                                                                                                           Massachusetts

    Has good size.  Transferred from Northeastern when they eliminated their football program.  Is a one cut and go type back with only average speed.  Doesn't have a lot of make you miss ability.  Split carries with Jonathan Hernandez, who I though was the better of the two backs.  Decent college player who lacks the ability to make it on the next level.

Nic Grigsby                                                                                                                                       Arizona

    Undersized RB with really good speed.  Actually was more productive and got more opportunities early in his college career.  Ran for 1,153 yards in 2008 which was more than he had in his final two seasons combined.  Has some patience in the open field and catches the ball well.  Lacks shiftiness and is strictly a straight ahead speed guy.  Might get a chance as a speed, change of pace type RB.

Jamie Harper                                                                                                                                   Clemson

    Underclassman who has good size.  Is a one cut and go type back.  Has really soft hands and can really catch the ball.  Has WR type catching abilities but doesn't have speed or quickness to move out there.  Has good instincts in the open field.  Is a big RB who can be hard to bring down but isn't overly physical and would rather make defender miss than run him over.  At this point he is not a good blocker in pass protection and he is really tentative running between the tackles.  He has some special abilities but he will have to run better between the tackles if he wants to develop into a starter, otherwise he will only be a situational back that they can use in the passing game.  Figures to be a mid-round draft pick

DuJuan Harris                                                                                                                                       Troy

    Short RB with some bulk.  He gives good effort and can be tough to bring down when he hits the hole strong.  The problem is that if he doesn't have a big hole he tends to be indecisive and does too much dancing.  He lacks breakaway speed and doesn't really have a special characteristic.

Henry Harris                                                                                                                         SE Missouri St

    Short RB with decent bulk.  Strong lower body and breaks a number of tackles.  Has the ability to get positive yards even when there doesn't appear to be anything there.  Has good vision and is a decent kickoff returner because of it.  Has a little shiftiness but isn't overly elusive.  Has had success against his level of competition but will be making a big jump in competition and it is not certain that he will be able to break as many tackles on the next level and he lacks breakaway speed.

Roy Helu Jr                                                                                                                                   Nebraska

    Really looks the part.  Has good size and power with good speed in the open field.  At times he put up big numbers at Nebraska but he would tease you with his overall play.  A perfect example of that is the Missouri game this past season.  He ran for 307 yards and had three long TDs.  However on all three long TD runs he had an enormous hole to run through and went the distance untouched.  Typically if he doesn't have a big hole to run through, he makes little impact.  He is basically a straight ahead speed guy who tries to veer away from defenders.  If there isn't a hole he lacks elusiveness and doesn't show good balance to break tackles to get extra yards.  Very rarely you catch a glimpse of some elusiveness, toughness and vision.  The fourth quarter against Missouri is an example of that as is the long TD run he had early in the game against Oklahoma.  That was two instances in a bunch of games.  It intrigues you because he does have a special combination of size and speed.  He can be a good RB on the next level if he can learn to create some yards on his own, otherwise he is going to just be a backup with lots of potential but no production.

Kendall Hunter                                                                                                                         Oklahoma St

    Rebounded nicely from an injury plagued season the year before when he suffered with an ankle injury.  While he lacks height, he doesn't lack bulk.  He is really explosive and has really good cutting ability.  He has great lateral quickness and can make the defender miss.  He has really good balance and has good strength which at times makes him really hard to bring down.  He has pretty good vision and has good feet.  He did a better job this season running between the tackles.  Shows good toughness and does a good job sticking his nose in there in pass protection.  Despite his lack of height he does a decent job in pass protection.  He has breakaway speed and can score in a hurry when going north and south.  Did less dancing around this year.  The ankle injury and his lack of size will make people think that he isn't durable but he really carried the ball a lot throughout is college career.  He can carry a load but all these carries might mean there are less carries left in his career which could affect his stock some.  Figures to offer really good value as a change of pace back at the very least but could very easily develop into a starting RB, especially for a team that uses multiple backs.