Shane Vereen., California RB (Getty)
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PatriotsInsider.com
Posted Apr 15, 2011
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The third part in a series of Draft-worthy running backs. New England has already met with or invited in for visits a number of these backs. (see visitor list)
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ALL-PURPOSE BACKS/CHANGE-OF-PACE RUNNERS
Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State
5:07.2-199-4.57
Good News: Patient, but hits hole hard with
outstanding acceleration when he locates his lane…Good vision and
decisive as a runner…Exceptional quickness and plays faster than his 40
time…Showed tenacity as a blocker despite giving up weight to
linebackers.
Bad News: Lacks size and is not an every-down
back…Gives good effort as a blocker, but is simply too small to take on
NFL defenders…Could contribute as a receiver, but didn’t offer a lot of
production in that aspect over the past two seasons…Durability concerns
– missed time in 2009 with ankle/foot injuries.
2010 Statistics: Consensus All-American…Gained
1,548 yards with 16 touchdowns on 271 carries (5.71 ypc)…Added 101
yards on 20 receptions (5.05 ypc).
Production…Hunter is the kind of one-cut and go running back that could
excel in a zone blocking scheme thanks to his vision and decisiveness.
He’s not an every-down back in a traditional scheme, but could be a
great change-of-pace guy in a stable. Hunter possesses second-round
talent, although his lack of size could push him into the third.
DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
5:11.5-213-4.43
Good News: Possesses breakaway speed and can
contribute in multiple areas…Excellent receiver out of the backfield
and has experience returning kickoffs…Good burst and acceleration to
explode off his cuts…Solid lateral agility to elude defenders…Runs with
determination even though he lacks power...Displays pretty good
balance.
Bad News: Runs too high to consistently get the job
done inside…Has a linear build more suited for a receiver…Leaves
himself susceptible to big hits and has durability concerns…Vision is
very average overall.
2010 Statistics: All-Big 12 Conference first-team
selection…Gained 1,214 yards with 15 touchdowns on 282 carries (4.30
ypc)…Added 594 yards and five more scores on 71 receptions (8.37 ypc).
Prediction: Murray has a linear build and run too
tall to consistently bang it inside. He leaves himself vulnerable to
taking big shots at the next level and has already had some trouble
staying healthy. He does offer a lot as a receiver, however, and the
ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game may entice a team
to select him in the second or third round.
Shane Vereen, California
5:10.2-210-4.55
Good News: Excellent speed…Decisive runner with
nice vision to find the cutback lanes…Solid balance with good burst and
acceleration…Great receiver out of the backfield who is used on
downfield routes…Reliable as a pass blocker.
Bad News: Doesn’t offer a lot of strength as a
runner but keeps his legs churning through contact…May lack the size to
be an every-down back at the next level…Has had some ball-security
issues.
2010 Statistics: All-Pac-10 second-team
selection…Gained 1,167 yards with 13 touchdowns on 231 carries (5.05
ypc)…Added 209 yards with three more scores on 22 receptions (9.50
ypc).
Prediction: Vereen is another back whose vision and
decisiveness make him a nice fit in the zone-blocking scheme. He could
contribute early as a third-down back thanks to his exceptional
receiving ability and solid pass protection. Teams will value his
versatility and solid all-around game, likely resulting in a
third-round selection.
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
5:05.7-196-4.70
Good News: Well-built despite lack of
height…Elusive with exceptionally quick feet…Good vision and knows how
to use size to his advantage…Terrific balance and runs with
determination…Well-accomplished as a receiver and will contribute in
the passing game…Can handle a heavy workload.
Bad News: Durability is always a concern with a
player his size, although Rodgers has played in every game over the
past two seasons (missed two games in 2008)…Lacks great top-end speed,
but is the type player who is quicker than fast…Can dance to the hole a
bit too much at times and could be more decisive…Quite a bit of wear
for a smaller back (939 touches in three seasons).
2010 Statistics: All-Pac-10 Conference first-team
selection…Gained 1,184 yards with 14 touchdowns on 256 carries (4.63
ypc)…Added 287 yards with three more scores on 44 receptions (6.52
ypc).
Prediction: Rodgers may lack great height, but he
knows how to use it to his advantage. He patiently hides behind his
offensive line and uses his quick feet to find running lanes. Rodgers
is also well-accomplished as a receiver and can be an asset in the
passing game. He’s very underrated and offers a lot of value in the
third or fourth round with a chance to contribute early.
Derrick Locke, Kentucky
5:08.2-188-4.50
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Derrick Locke, Kentucky
(US Presswire) |
Good News: Blazing game speed to break off big
gains…Can take the edge on the outside run…Solid vision to locate
cutback lanes and has the agility and acceleration to take
advantage…Shifty and can make defenders miss…All-purpose back that can
contribute as a runner, receiver and returner…Good balance and
effort…Can run through a few arm tackles on occasion.
Bad News: Smaller back with legitimate durability
concerns…Missed time in each of the past three seasons…Simply lacks
power as a runner despite effort…Size is going to prevent him from
being very reliable in pass protection on third-down…Not an every-down
back.
2010 Statistics: Gained 887 yards with 10
touchdowns on 166 carries (5.34 ypc)…Added 318 yards on 34 receptions
(9.35 ypc) and 395 yards on 15 kickoff returns (26.33 avg).
Prediction: Locke is a nifty all-purpose runner who
can contribute in multiple areas. Although he lacks size and has a
history of injury, getting in a stable of backs might be just what the
doctor ordered. A team can get a lot of value out of Locke as a
change-of-pace back in the fifth or sixth round, and limiting his
carries would give him a better chance of staying healthy.
Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington
5:11.5-194
Good News: Absolute burner with sprinter
speed…Excellent agility and change-of-direction skills…Elite
acceleration – can plant and explode up field with tremendous
burst…Very good balance and can stay on his feet through poor tackle
attempts…Good elusiveness to make defenders miss.
Bad News: Slight frame and tall stature won’t allow
him to consistently contribute as an inside runner…Major injury
concerns – has missed time in four out of the last five seasons dating
back to high school (exception was his redshirt year)…Played against
lower-level competition…Character concerns regarding maturity.
2010 Statistics: Ranked second in the FCS in
rushing yards (145.17 ypg) and all-purpose yards (201.75 ypg)…Totaled
1,742 yards with 14 touchdowns on 221 carries (7.88 ypc)…Added 342
yards with three more scores on 24 receptions (14.25 ypc) and 309 yards
on 15 kickoff returns (20.6 avg).
Prediction: Jones might be the biggest wildcard in
the draft. He’s a phenomenal talent, but has some legitimate durability
questions. Jones suffered a broken foot late in 2010 and has been
unable to work out in front of scouts thus far in the pre-draft
process. He’s slated to run on April 14th. If he is as fast as everyone
expects (potential low 4.3s), his stock could skyrocket into a
third-round selection at the latest. If he is unable to run or ends up
being slower than expect, he could slip as far as the fifth round.
Teams will take a gamble on his kind of talent, but only if he can back
it up and prove his health.
Honorable Mention:
Noel Devine, West Virginia
5:07.4-179
Notes…Explosive runner with fantastic quickness and elusiveness, but
has a slight frame and durability concerns.
DA’REL SCOTT, Maryland
5:11.0-211-4.38
Notes…Offers blazing speed in a bigger package, but has a history of
injury.
Mario Fannin, Auburn
5:10.3-231-4.41
Notes…Good size and an excellent receiver out of the backfield, but
produced a disappointing senior campaign that included some fumbling
problems.
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