Chris Polk Scouting Report

Posted by Brad On January – 12 – 2012

Chris Polk

Washington

Ht. 5-11 Wt. 224

Inside Running:  Polk excels running between the tackles.  He’s a physical back with a powerful lower body that is tough to bring down on first contact.  He hits the hole quickly and is a one-cut runner.  He is an ideal fit in a power run scheme in the NFL as he doesn’t waste time dancing in the backfield.

Outside Running:  It’s hard to say Polk isn’t an outside runner because he rarely attempts to go outside the tackles.  That said, he won’t make a living running on the edge as he lacks the speed to be effective on the edge.  He’s a north-south runner.

Hands:  Polk will have to develop as a receiver in the NFL.  He has the abilities to become an above-average receiver at the next level with soft hands.  He’s very raw in this area with limited receiving opportunities in the Washington offense.

Blocking/Durability:  Polk is relatively disappointing as a blocker.  He has excellent strength at the point of attack which would lend itself to be a strong area.  But his failure to recognize blitzers is frustrating and at times cost Washington big play opportunities.  He’s a high volume back that remained durable throughout his career.  He injured his foot in 2008 after the second game and had a scope done on his knee in the summer of 2011.

Bottom Line:  Polk is a power runner that will need to develop as a receiver and blocker in the NFL if he wants to be a three down back.  At this point he would have to come off the field on 3rd down due to his deficiencies in those areas.  As a pure power runner, he’s a close second to Trent Richardson.

Draft Projection:  Polk is a mid-second round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.