Tag: Running Backs

Paul Perkins Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2016
Comments

Paul Perkins RB UCLA #24

Size/Athleticism: 5’11”, 210 pounds. Lacks elite speed which gives him the appearance of a lesser athlete, but is far more well rounded in his athleticism than most running backs.

Vision: Patient running with great vision. Does an excellent job waiting for his blocks to develop and hitting the hole hard. Rarely gets caught dancing in the backfield and is extremely efficient.

Power: Rarely runs guys over and could probably add more length strength to improve his overall power. Strong enough to consistent run through arm tackles.

Speed/Agility: Straight-line speed is moderate and he lacks the second gear to run away from faster defensive backs. Elite agility. His footwork is outstanding and is able to consistently make guys miss in tight space. Shows elite lateral agility and a really nice initial burst once he’s found a hole. He’s incredibly difficult to square up, forcing defenders to come at him with arm tackles.

Passing Game: Very good hands and used as more than just a check-down option. A viable weapon out of the backfield, and can make plays on routes down the field.

Intangibles: Entering after redshirt junior year.

Durability: No known issues. 702 career touches at UCLA.

Overview: Perkins is a versatile running back who is turning pro a year early. Excelled as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, developing into a reliable option for Josh Rosen in 2015. Lacks an elite second gear in the open field, but has a nice burst and quick feet to make guys miss. Should be an excellent value on Day 2 and could emerge as a future starter. At worst, his skill set should allow him to be a quality third-down back in the NFL.

Perkins Chart3

Rank
Player
Position
School
Grade
1Ezekiel ElliottRBOhio State
2Derrick HenryRBAlabama
3Jordan HowardRBIndiana
4Kenneth DixonRBLouisiana Tech
5<a href="http://www.draftace.com/2016/01/25/paul-perkins-scouting-report/">Paul Perkins</a>RBUCLA
6Devontae BookerRBUtah
7Alex CollinsRBArkansas
8Kelvin TaylorRBFlorida
9C.J. ProsiseRBNotre Dame
10Kenyan DrakeRBAlabama
11Jonathan WilliamsRBArkansas
12Aaron GreenRBTCU
13Tyler ErvinRBSan Jose State
14Zac BrooksRBClemson
15Josh FergusonRBIllinois
16Peyton BarberRBAuburn
17Keenan ReynoldsRBNavy
18Leon AllenRBWestern Kentucky
19DeAndre WashingtonRBTexas Tech
20Tre MaddenRBUSC
21Wendell SmallwoodRBWest Virginia
22Jordan CanzeriRBIowa
23Dwayne WashingtonRBWashington
24Storm Barrs-WoodsRBOregon State
25Keith MarshallRBGeorgia
26Brandon RossRBMaryland
27Jaylen WaltonRBOle Miss
28Paul JamesRBRutgers
29Kenneth FarrowRBHouston
30Marshaun CoprichRBIllinois State

David Johnson Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
David Johnson RB Northern Iowa #7
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 224
40: 4.50

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Size/Athleticism: Impressive size. Decent athlete with experience at wide receiver. Not very explosive, but for a power runner he has decent speed and can break off some longer runs.

Vision: Vision is limited. Knows where the hole is supposed to be, but is slow to react when it closes. A one-cut runner who accomplishes very little once his initial lane closes.

Power: Has the size of a power back but doesn’t really embrace that role. Dances too much at the line of scrimmage, even in short-yardage situations. Needs to simply lower his head and play forward in short-yardage situations and take on defenders with his size and strength. Runs too high at times.

Speed/Agility: Long strider. Straight-line speed is adequate but takes time to build momentum. Does not have great change-of-direction ability. Fluid in his COD movements, but simply lacks the explosiveness to be effective. Makes too many unnecessary wiggle movements that don’t fool many college linebackers and will only slow him down in the NFL—needs to eliminate these and embrace his role as a power back.

Passing Game: High school wide receiver who looks very comfortable catching the ball. Extends his arm to pluck the ball. Secures it quickly and turns upfield. Can run some more complex routes than the typical running back and could potentially line up in the slot and be a viable option as a receiver. Capable in pass protection but inconsistent. More than just a chop blocker. Gets low and delivers a nice pop, showing his lower body strength to hold his ground against blitzing linebackers. Doesn’t always show great awareness.

Intangibles: Coaches speak highly of his work ethic. Worked had to transition from receiver to running back.

Durability: Stayed on the field but had over 1,000 touches in his career at NIU.

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David Johnson Chart

Overview: Johnson is limited as a runner due to his mediocre vision and limited athleticism. He has the size to be a power runner but has not embraced that role and does not break nearly as many tackles as expected for a runner his size. However, he is among the best receivers of the running backs in this class which greatly increases his value as a potential backup. With his receiving skills and potential to develop as a power runner, he could be an intriguing third-down back to keep defenses guessing.

Cameron Artis-Payne Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Cameron Artis-Payne RB Auburn #44
Ht: 5’10”
Wt: 212

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Strong build. Very quick feet. Looks fluid in the open field and capable of making guys miss.

Vision: Limited vision approaching the line of scrimmage. Runs into closing holes and misses openings on the outside. Not a very creative runner and doesn’t make much happen on his own.

Power: Inconsistent pad level as he runs. Capable of getting low as he runs through the line of scrimmage, but tends to get high when he reaches the second level, leaving him open to bigger hits and cuts down on his balance.

Speed/Agility: Adequate speed. Not a serious threat on the edge, but capable of turning the corner. Quick feet. Makes guys miss in the open field.

Passing Game: Gives an effort as a blocker but doesn’t have technique. Awareness is lacking. Rarely used as a receiver but shows potential.

Intangibles: JUCO transfer. Turns 25 in June. Took two years off after high school.

Durability: No major issues, and very little tread off the tires. Only 13 career starts in two years at Auburn.

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Cameron Artis-Payne Chart

Overview: Artis-Payne has some upside due to his limited experience. He has the basic physical tools but needs to improve his vision and become more of an asset in pass protection and as a receiver. As of right now, he doesn’t really have the skills to play much of a role, but he’s an interesting developmental prospect. Since he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie, that developmental value drops a bit, however, and will definitely hurt his stock.

Josh Robinson Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Josh Robinson RB Mississippi State #13
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 215

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Tiny compact build. Explosive athleticism in terms of speed, acceleration is average but not necessarily critical to his game.

Vision: Excellent vision between the tackles. Finds holes and finds his way to fight through the line. Does not dance in the backfield and rarely gets stopped for a loss.

Power: A bowling ball-type runner. Doesn’t run over people, but breaks every arm tackle he sees. Does not go down on first contact unless he’s wrapped up.

Speed/Agility: Exceptional balance allows him to squeeze through tight holes at the line of scrimmage. Shifts his weight effortlessly to juke defenders. Mostly a one-cut runner. Does not have a second gear and will not be a home run threat at the next level.

Passing Game: Shows effectiveness as a chop blocker. Certainly not dominant, but gets to his assignment and takes them out. Good awareness and capable of adjusting. Size limits him as a threat, but has soft hands to make him a solid check down option.

Intangibles: High character player. Loved by coaches and teammates.

Durability: Two years of starting experience with no significant injuries. Plenty of experience, but was never overworked so he has a lot of tread left on the tires.

[/level-scouting-reports]

Josh Robinson Chart

Overview: Robinson doesn’t have elite size or speed, which usually doesn’t bode well for running backs at the next level. But I’m not betting against him. His vision is excellent and compact build makes him tough to bring down. Maybe he lacks the complete package to become a high level starter, but his ability to pick up yards after contact is asset that will lead him to a quality NFL career.

Jeremy Langford Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
1 Comment
Jeremy Langford RB Michigan State #33
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 208

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Adequate size and overall strength. A decent athlete, but nothing special.

Vision: Very patient following his blockers and does a great job taking what the defense gives him. An extremely efficient runner.

Power: Despite modest size, primarily a north/south runner. Runs hard and fights for the tough yardage. Plays with great balance, allowing him to shed tackles. Strong legs. Does a nice job lowering his shoulder to take advantage of leverage and balance to shrug off defenders who don’t wrap him up. Shows an effective stiff arm. Lacks the elite strength to be a dominant runner between the tackles. Easily sheds smaller defensive backs or weak tackle attempts, but can be knocked back by more physical linemen and linebackers.

Speed/Agility: Modest speed. Enough speed to get to the outside and turn the corner, but not a serious home run threat. Great balance allows him to be somewhat effective avoiding contact, but lacks the quick footwork to string together moves. A one-cut runner. Has an adequate initial burst but lacks the second gear.

Passing Game: Limited experience as a receiver. Used occasionally but shows inconsistent awareness as a check down option. Fairly reliable hands but appears to have short arms and smallish hands, so he’ll drop some. Gives a strong effort in pass protection and has the size and strength to continue to develop.

Intangibles: Hard worker who is willing to go the little things to help the team. Has played some receiver and cornerback as well at Michigan State.

Durability: Played through minor ankle injury early in 2014.

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Jeremy Langford Chart

Overview: What you see is what you get with Langford. He isn’t flashy, doesn’t have a ton of speed, lacks dominant size, but he consistently gets the job done. He’s the type of running back that can be as good as the players around him. In the right system, he can definitely be an effective starter, but probably isn’t the type of runner who will have success in rebuilding situation or behind a questionable offensive line. He’s best suited as a backup, but the type of backup you’d be perfectly comfortable turning to if needed.