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Terrance Ganaway

Baylor

Ht. 6-0 Wt. 240

Strengths:  Terrance Ganaway’s speed is underrated considering he weighs 240 pounds.  While he won’t make his living running away from defenders in the open field he is a deceptive athlete that can break the big run.  He is always falling forward and his legs are always churning for extra yards.  Ganaway has very little wear and tear on him so durability shouldn’t be an issue at the next level.

Weaknesses:  Ganaway’s hands won’t permit him to be a three down back in the NFL.  He won’t create any extra yards as an athlete and has little game experience as this season was his only as a full time starter at Baylor.   Ran out of the spread option a lot at Baylor, so he’ll have to be able to pick up an NFL system. Read the rest of this entry » «Terrance Ganaway Scouting Report»

Vick Ballard

Mississippi St.

Ht. 5-11 Wt. 220

Strengths:  Ballard is a big back that has a nose for the endzone.  He has excellent balance for his size and underrated speed.  While he won’t outrun defenders he has the burst and acceleration to get to the hole quickly.  There is no wasted movement with Ballard as he gets north and south and his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and doesn’t look back.

Weaknesses:  Ballard lacks the elusiveness to be an everydown back in the NFL.  He also doesn’t possess the receiving skills to be considered a threat out of the backfield at the next level.  He has split carries throughout his career. Read the rest of this entry » «Vick Ballard Scouting Report»

Cyrus Gray

Texas A&M

Ht. 5-10 Wt. 200

Strengths:  Gray has the speed and quickness to draw the attention of scouts.  Gray does an excellent job of exploiting the smallest of creases in the defense with outstanding vision.  He also has a knack for finding cutback lanes which usually lead to big gains.  His hands are very good for the position and could be an effective pass catcher in the NFL.

Weaknesses:  Gray doesn’t fight for extra yards and too often his legs go dead on contact.  He also needs to learn to square his shoulders to the line of scrimmage as he has a tendency to rely just on speed on runs to the outside.  While he’s a willing blocker, he will have to become a more effective one if he wants to be considered a three-down back. Read the rest of this entry » «Cyrus Gray Scouting Report»

Robert Turbin

Utah St.

Ht. 5-10 Wt. 226

Strengths:  Turbin is a big back that runs well behind his pads.  At 5’10, 226 pounds he has surprising speed for his size.  He excels and will most likely make his living running between the tackles in the NFL.  He is more elusive than most think or would believe for someone his size.  His work ethic and character have been praised by his coaches at Utah St.

Weaknesses:  His instincts and vision need some work which could come with more reps.  He also has an injury history that cost him the 2010 season and could be a factor for many NFL teams.  Despite having solid speed for his size he rarely bounces the ball, even when it’s necessary.  Part of this problem is the lack of vision and instincts and may keep him out of the anticipated 3^rd-4^th round range.  Read the rest of this entry » «Robert Turbin Scouting Report»

LaMichael James

Oregon

Ht. 5-9 Wt. 185

Inside Running:  James is not going to make his living in the NFL running between the tackles.  He has surprising strength and good vision but he excels in open space.  His size (or lack thereof) will hamper the amount of carries and/or pounding James can withstand in the inside running game of the NFL.

Outside Running:   His speed is his biggest asset.  Oregon’s spread offense allows for James to find the corner quickly.  In the NFL he will have to rely on speed and vision to get outside.  Teams will focus on funneling James to the inside.

Hands:  James wasn’t used in the passing game very much in Oregon.  He does flash the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.  In open space, there isn’t a better RB in this draft.  Teams will most likely look to exploit his dynamic ability in open space by getting him the ball out of the backfield. Read the rest of this entry » «LaMichael James Scouting Report»

Isaiah Pead

Cincinnati

Ht. 5-11 Wt. 200

Inside Running:  Pead runs too upright to be an effective runner between the tackles.  He much prefers to use his acceleration and burst to get the edge.  He looks impatient to the hole on inside runs but has the quickness to hit it before it truly develops.  Pead will not earn his living running between the tackles in the NFL.

Outside Running:  Pead is a much more accomplished runner on the edge.  His speed, burst, and vision allow him to find the edge in a blur and break off big runs.  Pead should run in the low 4.4’s and has the quickness to pull away from defenders.  Read the rest of this entry » «Isaiah Pead Scouting Report»

Bernard Pierce

Temple

Ht. 6-0 Wt. 210

Inside Running:  Pierce runs behind his pads really well.  While he’s not overly powerful he has a great feel for running lanes between the tackles.  His vision and instincts allow him to see holes open before they are fully developed and he has the burst to hit the opening.  He does an excellent job of getting skinny through the hole and is always falling forward for the extra yard.

Outside Running:  Pierce doesn’t have game breaking speed but he can get to the edge.  At times he’s too patient and gets tracked down from behind on outside runs.  He runs with a low center of gravity and has enough wiggle to make defenders miss.  He doesn’t have the extra gear that some of the top runners in this class have.

Hands:  Pierce rarely got the ball in pass catching situations but definitely can catch the football.  Several occasions jumped out on film where Pierce snagged catches that weren’t routine catches. Read the rest of this entry » «Bernard Pierce Scouting Report»

Doug Martin

Boise St.

Ht. 5-9 Wt. 210

Inside Running:  Doug Martin is a short back with a thick lower body.  He runs with a low center of gravity and is tough to wrap up.  Between his center of gravity and balance, Martin is a tough runner between the tackles.  Martin often gains extra yards because his legs are always churning and moving the pile.

Outside Running:  Martin won’t be breaking many 80-yard runs.  He doesn’t possess the second gear to hit the homerun.  What’s impressive about him is his ability to move laterally without losing much speed.    He won’t time well in the 40 yard dash but he should be impressive in the cones.  He has a great burst. Read the rest of this entry » «Doug Martin Scouting Report»

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. Read the rest of this entry » «Chris Polk Scouting Report»

David Wilson

Virginia Tech

Ht. 5-10 Wt. 205

Inside Running :  Despite being just above 200 pounds Wilson is a deceptively good runner between the tackles.  He has incredible balance and good power.  He’s not likely to make a living running between the tackles but he won’t shy away from running inside in the NFL.  He plays behind his pads and runs with a low center of gravity.  Wilson will have to get to the hole without dancing in the backfield.  

Outside Running:  Wilson will make his living on the edge in the NFL.  He has a burst of speed that isn’t seen often and the second gear to break away from defenders.  He has excellent agility that allows him to cut back inside on outside runs that are stuffed.  Read the rest of this entry » «David Wilson Scouting Report»