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 by PARAM
4 years 4 days ago
 Total posts:   12239  
 Joined:  Jul 15 2015
Barbados   Just far enough North of Philadelphia
Hall of Fame

I think it's safe to assume the Rams are going to get one in the draft. Again, like receivers, the question is how high? Swift, Taylor and Dobbins probably won't make it to #52 but if one does, that should be the pick. I like Edwards-Helaire (Darren Sproles, jr) and Moss.

Zack Moss - Utah –5’9 223 lbs
highlites

Strengths: A 3-year starter for the Utes that has had tremendous production in each of those seasons, rushing for over 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns in each season. A compactly-built runner that has outstanding overall size and lower body girth. Despite his large frame, Moss shows a surprising amount of speed and explosiveness to hit expiring holes. A decisive 1-cut runner that quickly plants his outside foot in and explodes up the field wasting very little movement. Outstandingly explosive to go from 0-60 in a flash, wasting very little movement in the backfield. A physical runner that runs downhill, keeping his legs churning upon contact, never giving up and almost always falling forward through contact. A difficult runner to bring down, showing impressive contact balance to stay on his feet, keeping his outside hand free to deliver nasty stiff arms and shrugs off ankle swipers. Was impressed with his pass protection ability, a real finisher that keeps his frame square and his leverage low to maintain a solid anchor.

Weaknesses: The most frustrating thing about Moss is his obsession with the big play on every snap resulting in many negative plays. Overly reliant on bouncing his runs to the outside rather than following his blocks and running north/south. While he has improved and shown some ability to catches balls out of the backfield this season, his routes are very suspect and don’t look natural when tasked to do so. He needs to do a better job of dropping his pads and playing with leverage when climbing the defense to deliver physical blows to oncoming defenders.

Cam Akers – Florida State –5’10 217 lbs
Highlites

Strengths: A former high-school QB that has transitioned to running back in college, starting for the Seminoles each of the last 3 seasons. Akers excelled most in his freshman and junior (final season) campaigns where he averaged over 5 yards per carry and had over 1,000 yards rushing in each. Built with a rock-solid frame and thickness throughout, Akers possesses an ideal bellcow build. Akers's explosive nature and excellent overall athleticism are evident in the way he takes hold of the ball instantly out of the backfield. Exploding with the ball and quickly getting to the 2nd level, Akers gets to top-gear in a flash. He’s quick to follow blocks and maximize available openings, Akers is a nightmare to deal with for 2nd and 3rd level defenders. As he converts his speed to power, he’s a hammer in search of a nail, bulldozing and fighting through 1st contact. Excellent physicality and competitiveness allow him to gain additional yardage coupled with loose, shifty joints that keep his frame clean in open-field scenarios. Has impressed in the receiving game in each season, showing good hands and impressive routes. A physical blocker that plays square maintaining good leverage to keep a nice anchor in pass-rush situations, rarely getting bullied.

Weaknesses: Akers has dealt with nagging ankle and other minor injuries throughout his career, although it didn’t cause him to lose much game time. His former QB days are still implanted in him as he attempts to do too much on every snap of the ball, leading to some poor ball security problems and fumbles. Questionable balance due to failing to be able to control momentum after contact. While he has the toughness/anchor in pass protection, he needs to do a better job recognizing things quicker, whiffing on blocks at times.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire – LSU –5’7 207 lbs
Highlites

Strengths: Edwards-Helaire finally got his chance to be the bellcow for the Tigers and he certainly didn’t disappoint, rushing for over 1400 yards and adding another 450 yards receiving, totaling 17 touchdowns combined. Built with a low center of gravity and tremendous compactness, Edwards-Helaire is a difficult guy to bring to the ground. Running behind his pads and punishing defenders when they attempt to take him head-on. For as wide-bodied as he is, he displays tremendous quickness, agility, and overall lower body explosiveness to create in space, sensing his surroundings well and anticipating openings at the 2nd level. Dangerous in open-field situations, showing the ability to win with moves or simply running over defenders. 0-60 acceleration out of his stance is terrific, as is his start/stop quickness to redirect his frame and play in lateral situations. Contact balance is outstanding when working between the tackles. A patient runner that will wait for opportunities at the 1st level and then waste little time in exploding through expiring lanes. High upside receiver that will lineup both in the slot or out wide, showing smoothness in his ability to run routes and catch the ball away from his frame. Has shown upside in pass protection this year, utilizing his natural leverage advantage to anchor down and hold the point of attack.

Weaknesses: A bit of a 1-year wonder that was a rotational change of pace back for the Tigers before this season. Smaller frame could cause some teams’ to feel he’s not a bellcow back. Despite his receiving prowess and natural ability to do so, he drops far too many simple balls. He is improving in his ability to pass protect, but he still needs to do a better job of anticipating and recognizing things pre-snap. Quicker than he is fast, lacking ideal long-speed to be a true home-run hitter.

Anthony McFarland - Maryland –5’8 208 lbs
Highlites

Strengths: McFarland was only a redshirt sophomore this past season that excelled as a freshman totaling over 1,000 yards rushing in a dual-threat backfield. McFarland is not only one of the youngest players in this draft, but he’s also one that has the least amount of wear and tear on his frame with only slightly over 200 carries during his college career. McFarland is an explosive athlete that has 4.3 type of speed and is consistently a threat to break a run and take it to the house. Not just a speedster, McFarland also displays tremendous short-area bursts and agility to kill angles in lateral situations. I love his directness, rarely wasting movement or time upon receiving the ball. McFarland has ridiculous change of direction ability coupled with excellent vision to redirect his frame and change course if he sees an undesirable running lane. McFarland is a tough, low center of gravity runner that makes a living off creating additional yardage after contact, showing terrific contact balance and toughness after contact. A slippery runner that minimizes surface area and shrugs off ankle swipers with relative ease.

Weaknesses: McFarland struggled with ankle issues all season, limiting his amount of production and breakaway speed that he had during his freshman season. Teams are going to want to be confident in his ankle durability and make sure it’s not a continual nagging issue. A bounce runner that made a living of beating linebackers to the outside and breaking runs outside the hashes for big gains and doesn’t have a lot of true north/south experience. McFarland will occasionally make a ridiculous run out of going backwards first and generally get away with it at the college level, but at the next level, he likely won’t. Despite his athleticism, potential and movement ability, McFarland hasn’t been tasked much in the receiving game. He has shown some flashes of pass protection ability, but he hasn’t always looked engaged or eager to do so.

Lamical Perine - Florida –5’11 216 lbs

Strengths: A 4-year contributor to the Gators offense who has shown the ability to positively affect the return game, in addition to the receiving and running game.  Perine had his best year as a junior where he averaged over 6 yards per carry and 8 touchdowns. Perine is built with an ideal and compact frame, showing 3-down potential. A good athlete that shows functional athleticism and an explosive lower body. Generally, a “win between the tackles” runner, but flashes the quickness and acceleration to win the outside edges on occasion as well. Upon running the ball, Perine shows good patience and then times his bursts to perfection. Hits the hole with conviction, trusting his eyes and generally picking the right running lanes. A 1-cut runner who wastes very little movement in the backfield, showing decisiveness and aggression. A tough runner that maximizes his frame and runs behind his pads, keeping his legs moving upon contact. Perine was impressive as a senior in the receiving game, providing a nice outlet for his QB. He also showed an impressive route tree to even line up as a receiver and present mismatch opportunities.

Weaknesses: Perine is an inconsistent blocker that doesn’t always appear passionate, delivering half-hearted shoulder bumps to blitzing defenders. While he’s a competitive runner, Perine isn’t exactly a power back that will win many battles. Despite his nice frame, he goes down far too easily, even to smaller defenders. Not an “avoid runner” and lacks any kind of shiftiness or looseness to break the 1st tackle or limit his surface area in open-field situations. Lacks the traits to be a creator and is more of a “take what the defense gives” kind of back. Has always been a rotational back for Florida, failing to ever show the ability to carry the load. Very average yards per carry numbers.

Patrick Taylor Jr – Memphis –6’2 217 lbs

Strengths: After being the 3rd back in 2018, behind Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard, and still finishing with over 1100 yards rushing, Taylor missed most of his final season with a foot injury that he suffered in the season opener. A big, bruising back with ideal NFL body armor to play at the next level. Not just a ‘power’ back as he has proven to have excellent vision to create for himself with explosive jump cuts to change direction. Hits the hole with conviction, wasting little time or unnecessary steps in the backfield attacking holes. Plays balanced through contact between the tackles. An explosive runner that shows acceleration when attacking through expiring lanes. Appears to have some home-run ability as well when reaching the 2nd and 3rd levels. Quick feet with good body control that allow him to be a force in the open-field with the ball in his hands. Keeps his legs moving through contact, making him a force in short-yardage and goal-line opportunities. Has shown flashes of pass-catching ability with soft hands, despite not having extensive experience in doing so.

Weaknesses: Despite his big-bodied frame, Taylor doesn’t always drop the hammer and play with the physicality you would like to see in all areas of the game. Has dealt with some nagging injury issues while in college. I would like to see him show more toughness and willingness in pass protection, appearing to need both technique and recognition work before he can be considered a reliable blocker. Was never the teams’ primary bellcow minus a few games this year, and has always been a change of pace back benefitting from worn down defenses.

Darius Anderson - TCU –5’11 195 lbs

Strengths: A 4-year rotational and split carry back that wastes very little movement in the backfield, showing directness and suddenness in the way he plays. A shorter and compactly-built guy that shows good muscularity and low body fat. Anderson wins mostly between the tackles but shows the acceleration and speed to bounce runs to the outside as well. Anderson’s best trait is his contact balance, remaining on his feet through contact, maintaining a good pad level and a low center of gravity to fight through tackle attempts. While not a ‘bruiser,’ Anderson shows enough lower body strength and toughness to push piles forward. A good athlete who sees things before they develop, showing good vision and jump-cut instincts. Plays with good straight-line speed that shows home-run abilities and impressive shiftiness in the open-field, minimizing contact points with his frame. While he doesn’t have a ton of catches on his resume, Anderson displays soft hands and looks comfortable when flexing out as a receiver. Was used at the teams’ primary kickoff return specialist this year, gaining experience in doing so.

Weaknesses: Anderson’s failure to have much experience as the bellcow running back will make teams concerned whether he can carry the ball more than 10 or 15 times a day. He’s not a guy with sufficient body armor to be a consistent hammer and likely won’t be much of a goal-line or short-yardage back. He needs a ton of technique and recognition work in pass protection before he can contribute as a pass protector. A lazy blocker who generally goes for the cut block, failing to even slow rushers down.

Darrynton Evans – Appalachian State –5’10 203 lbs

Strengths: A 1.5-year starter for Appalachian State that sprung onto the scene after Jalin Moore got injured during his sophomore season and he took full advantage of the opportunity presented. Evans continued to impress in his final year, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and running for another 1484 yards and having a combined 23 touchdowns. The primary kickoff return specialist during each of his seasons, having a touchdown return during each season. Evans this year showed upside in the receiving game, offering a flexible option in the flat or even lining up as a slot receiver. Evans is an explosive back that quickly accelerates making quick and decisive movements out of that pistol offensive setup. Wasting very little movement or time, Evans shows the loose hips and change of directional ability to cut on a dime and cross-field. Evans isn’t just quick, he also shows the second level speed to pull away when given too much space. A willing blocker that shows good awareness and recognition when used in protection.

Weaknesses: Evans was redshirted his 2nd campaign after having a bad knee injury. Evans is slight and it is even more obvious when he attempts to play through tacklers, as his lack of body armor and power are on full display, rarely breaking the 1st tackle. Evans's vision is questionable and it appeared he frequently makes decisions to protect his body rather than get the most yards per carry. Despite his athleticism, Evans is not an overly elusive athlete who can make defenders miss in space. Offers little in short-yardage situations, lacking the ability to run behind his pads and get any kind of push.


From: (DTP's 2020 NFL Draft Guide: The Ultimate Football Draft Resource)

Here's Scott Wrights RB rankings

Rank First Last College Height Weight 40-Time Class
1 D’Andre Swift Georgia 5-8 ¼ 212 4.48 JR
2 Jonathan Taylor Wisconsin 5-10 ¼ 226 4.39 JR
3 J.K. Dobbins Ohio St. 5-9 ½ 209 4.39 JR
4 Clyde Edwards-Helaire L.S.U. 5-7 ¼ 207 4.60 JR
5 Cam Akers Florida St. 5-10 ⅜ 217 4.47 JR
6 Zack Moss Utah 5-9 ⅜ 223 4.65 SR
7 Antonio Gibson Memphis 6-0 ⅜ 228 4.39 SR
8 Anthony McFarland, Jr. Maryland 5-8 ⅛ 208 4.44 rSO
9 Darrynton Evans Appalachian St. 5-10 ⅛ 203 4.41 JR
10 Joshua Kelley UCLA 5-10 ⅝ 212 4.49 rSR
11 A.J. Dillon Boston College 6-0 ⅜ 247 4.53 JR
12 Eno Benjamin Arizona St. 5-8 ⅞ 207 4.57 JR
13 Lamical Perine Florida 5-10 ¾ 216 4.62 SR
14 Ke’Shawn Vaughn Vanderbilt 5-9 ⅝ 214 4.51 rSR
15 James Robinson Illinois St. 5-9 219 4.64 SR
16 DeeJay Dallas Miami (FL) 5-10 ⅛ 217 4.58 JR
17 Javon Leake Maryland 6-0 ⅛ 215 4.65 JR
18 Patrick Taylor, Jr. Memphis 6-1 ½ 217 4.57 SR
19 Raymond Calais Louisiana 5-7 ⅞ 188 4.42 SR
20 Michael Warren Cincinnati 5-9 ⅛ 226 4.58 JR
21 Malcolm Perry Navy 5-9 ½ 186 4.63 SR
22 Darius Anderson T.C.U. 5-10 ½ 208 4.61 SR

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1 post Apr 15 2024