Dynasty Draftnik

Redshirt junior who has declared for the 2015 NFL Draft.

Positives: Has great height and good bulk for the position – built almost like a fullback. Has adequate track speed for the position, and above-average for a runner of his size. Runs patiently and waits for blocks to develop behind the line, showing adequate cutback vision. Is a fairly athletic runner with above-average lateral quickness and ability to sidestep tacklers in the open field. He also runs with adequate power and churns through contact fairly well for extra yards – usually falling forward after contact. He also runs tough, and doesn’t seem to want to go out of bounds at the end of plays. Is also a very experienced receiver with above-average hands. Has the agility, body control, and coordination to be able to extend and highpoint passes and adjust to passes thrown behind him. He has a lot of experience and understanding of pass protection. Though his ball security technique is below average, he at least knows to switch hands to the outside on sideline runs. Showed some versatility in college by being the team’s wildcat quarterback.

Negatives: Although he shows fair lateral quickness, it takes him a while to change course on the move – below-average overall quickness. And though he has enough cutback vision, he seems indecisive behind the line and even in the hole, missing some opportunities to accelerate through. Has below-average ball security and will hold the ball loosely even when he knows a hit is coming. Runs a little bit upright, and looks like he’d be much stronger with better body lean.

Projection: Round 5. Though he has more athleticism than you might expect from a bigger back, he isn’t very dynamic. But he does have a nice combination of receiving, running, and pass-protection skills that give him a lot of value at the next level. Expect him to be a solid contributor. Might also be a nice fill-in at fullback for a West Coast team.

All-Star Games: Senior Bowl.

Positives: Good height and bulk for the position, with adequate hand size. Above-average speed and power, breaking several arm tackles on a single play. Good balance after contact. Patient behind the line and in the open field, following his blockers fairly well after the catch and being decisive as he makes his cuts. Shows above-average lateral quickness and a nice jump cut behind the line to find running lanes. Also runs pretty tough, with high knees. He churns his legs well through contact and in short-yardage situations to gain extra yards and push the pile. Has pretty quick feet and can make people miss in the open field, but is more often a slasher who will just make slight changes in angle instead of big jump cuts. Fair agility, with an effective spin move in the open field and for extra yards off of contact. Shows generally above-average hands, concentration, and coordination as a receiver – extends well, will lay out, and can come down with well-covered passes. As a pass blocker, can at least step up to meet and cut defenders. Protects the ball with both hands when a hit is coming.

Negatives: Below-average acceleration and speed when running routes. A little hesitant behind the line. Below-average vision for cutbacks both behind the line and in the open field, where he will run into contact. As a slashing-style runner, he also shows below-average ability to make big changes in direction, lacking balance making big cuts, and often slipping. Lacks creativity as a runner. Doesn’t accelerate well after contact. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated consistently below-average ball security technique when running through the line. He also is not an effective pass blocker – he consistently misjudges his position, lunges at defenders while cut blocking, or getting stood up, missing defenders or putting himself off balance. Isn’t very aggressive as a blocker and gets caught flat-footed, easily losing his base when he should rise up to meet defenders in the pocket. Injured quadriceps and sat out his March 2015 pro day.

Projection: Round 5. He has a lot of nice qualities as a runner and receiver, and could be a big part of a committee approach. A lot of his deficiencies are in pass protection, though, which will limit him off the bat. If he improves in that area, he has a chance to be more of a workhorse back.

Transferred from junior college in 2013.

All-Star Games: Senior Bowl.

Positives: Is a patient, slashing-type runner behind the line, but is also decisive when he makes his cuts. Runs with adequate speed and burst and has quick feet to keep defenders guessing. He doesn’t change directions super-suddenly, but he is able to deceptively change angles on the move to keep gaining yards. Runs tough, with above-average power, and is not easy to bring down. He’s able to get low through the line in short-yardage situations to tunnel for extra yards. Churns his legs well through contact, with above-average balance. Uses a stiffarm well – not only on outside runs, but on inside runs, too. Has shown generally adequate hands and body control, and can adjust to passes thrown behind him. Good pass protector who maintains his base and leverage on impact. Was a versatile player in college, and was the team’s wildcat quarterback.

Negatives: Doesn’t have exceptional size, and has slightly below-average height, bulk, and hand size for the position. Also seems to have a short wingspan. Has below-average cutback vision behind the line and will push the ball too far into line before trying to make a move. Doesn’t seem capable of sudden changes of direction. Though he is effective in short-yardage situations when he is decisive, he sometimes dances behind the line too much, losing momentum. He is also a little slow to get going downfield after the catch. Though he showed some receiving skills in limited opportunities in college, he isn’t very experienced as a receiver. Will also bobble some passes. Is already 24 years old.

Projection: Round 5. He has enough running and receiving ability – and short-yardage ability – to be effective in that role in the pros. But he’s not so exceptional that he will be more than a situational or committee back in the NFL.

Junior who has declared for the 2015 NFL draft.

Positives: Though he is shorter than your typical NFL running back, he has a compact, strong build with adequate bulk. He runs with above-average speed and burst, with quick feet to get through traffic at the line. He can also run tough and decisively, with good power. He churns well through contact for extra yards, and is very effective in goal line and short-yardage situations. He runs angry and doesn’t give up on runs – always reaching for extra yards. He shows good vision for small creases and can find running room in small areas and lower his head to tunnel through the line. Though a very solid inside runner, he can also reverse field and take the ball outside. Good balance after contact.  Protects the ball well through the line.  He has adequate hands. He is also generally an above-average pass blocker.

Negatives: Though he is well built, he has below-average height for a typical running back. Though his game speed was better, he ran with below-average track speed in pre-draft workouts. Has a fairly long injury history. Though he is a fair pass blocker, he tends to go low on defenders instead of trying to maintain his feet and use technique to maintain blocks. He is less effective as a blocker when he is supposed to rise up and meet the defender, and the defender will get right past him. Rib and ankle injuries slowed him first half of 2014 season. Reportedly had issues with conditioning at Pro Day.

Projection: Round 3. Reminds me of Devonta Freeman, and can be either a large part of a committee approach or a workhorse back (though his running style and injury history might keep him more of a RBBC back). His ceiling is probably Warrick Dunn.

All-Star Games: Shrine Game.

Positives: Has very good height and above-average bulk for the position, with good hand size. Keeps balance well after contact. Above-average cutback vision, and also reads his blocks well in the open field. Above-average speed, burst and quickness for his size. He also changes directions well and shows some agility – able to spin around or jump over would-be tacklers. He’s able to get skinny through the line to take advantage of even a small crease. Has very quick feet with a nice jump cut, helping him pick through traffic at the line. Runs very tough with high knees – like a bull in a china shop – and even looks like he initiates contact at times. Has above-average hands and also extends well for passes away from his body. Is also a pretty solid pass protector who will knock back defenders and won’t let up once he has a defender handled.

Negatives: Though he has good size for his position, his build is more like a wide receiver, and maybe gives too much area for defenders to hit. He also runs too upright through the line at times, giving defenders time to hit him. Though his speed is pretty good for his size, he isn’t a burner, and can get caught from behind. His ball security technique is inconsistent, and he holds the ball too loosely through the line at times. He lacks patience behind the line. He will sometimes give up on plays and leave his feet when contact is coming – when it would be better for him to churn through it. His legs are sometimes out of sync with the rest of his body, and he will lose balance. Needs to be more aware of the sideline and of when to just duck out of bounds to save time. As a kick returner, he doesn’t seem to look to change directions.

Projection: Round 6. Teams looking to land David Johnson in the earlier rounds would be well served picking Crockett later if they miss out. He has the all-around skills, including the blocking skills, to be a solid contributor on most teams – especially as a third-down or receiving back.

All-Star Games: Senior Bowl.

Positives: Great height and good bulk for the position. Above-average hand size. Despite his size, he has fairly quick feet and burst. Shows above-average vision behind the line and is patient both behind the line and in the open field, waiting for running lanes to develop. Runs with adequate speed for the position and size. Is a very good receiver out of the backfield, with generally good hands. He also runs crisp routes. Has shown versatility during his college career, starting as a wide receiver but later converted to running back. He runs very smoothly and, though he has the quickness and receiving ability you’d expect from a smaller back, he also has the strength you’d expect for his size. He churns through traffic pretty well, and isn’t easy to bring down one on one. Shows above-average balance after contact, even when defenders come at him low. Keeps squared pretty well while making moves. Reminds me – and everyone else – of a bigger and slower Matt Forte.

Negatives: Though he usually shows good hands, he will body catch at times and drop some passes due to lax concentration. His ability to locate and track passes over his inside shoulder is also suspect. His conditioning was also suspect at times in college, but that can be easily fixed. Below-average ball security technique, and will hold the ball low and away through the line and open-field traffic – and while making moves. Had some injury trouble in 2013.

Projection: Round 3. He has the all-around running and receiving skills to be a solid contributor to an NFL team, but isn’t dynamic enough to carry the load. I expect him to be able to come in and put up RB3 numbers right away.