Vikings, UDFA. SMU: Great size for a HB — adequate FB size. Below-average hand size.
Positives: Good pass blocker. Above-average hands. Above-average body control and adjusts to errant passes. Runs strong and is hard to bring down. Keeps legs churning through contact. Fair cutback vision. Good burst for the size. Adequate hands. Always falls forward for extra yards. Above-average quickness for his size. Protects ball well through the line. Moves forward while cutting. Average speed. Adequate upper-body strength for a FB.
Negatives: Runs a little upright. Has a hard time regaining momentum once he’s made a cut. Though he has FB size, he wasn’t asked to block in college.
Projection: Before the draft, he reminded me of a less-talented version of Toby Gerhart, and now he looks like he’ll be Gerhart’s backup. If he becomes a solid blocker, he’ll have a good chance to contribute as a FB. Would do a capable job if Gerhart goes down, but there’s no need to draft.