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Scout Talk: Scouting Grades & Write-Ups



Walter here,


My scouting buddy and show co-host Ben and I are grading this years draft class. Several years ago I had a conversation with a scout who shared scouting guides with me, as I had an interest in doing it for fun. After listening to The Draft Show on the Dallas Cowboys website, I decided to use the forms to begin grading prospects. However, this is the first time I'm publicly posting any of my work.

We are going to post our write-ups in increments of five and explain our grades and draft projections for those players from now until the draft in April. We may also adjust some projections after the combine.

If everything works out, we will also post our draft boards and a combined top 100 list after we cross-check every position. Anyone is free disagree and spark a conversation, that's half the fun of going through the process.

My first position group was Running Back.

Name: Devin Singletary

Position: Running Back
College: Florida Atlantic
Height: 5’9’’
Weight: 200
Draft Grade: Top 2nd

Draft Projection: 2nd

Athletic Ability

He is amazing on his feet and has the ability to make sudden changes of direction. While his 40 time is expected to be between 4.52 – 4.58 his ability to stop and make immediate cuts is a special trait unique to him in this draft from the Running Back position.

Competitiveness

He compete well, however does seem to take it down a notch when the game is out of reach. He is willing to run and pass block, highly productive.

Mental Alertness

Plays like he has a solid head on his shoulders. His mental awareness shouldn't be an issue at the next level.

Strength/Explosion

His lower body strength shows and has the ability to break tackles. His build allows him to play strong as he has a low center of gravity. Despite not having elite speed he is able to explode up the field.

Position Skill

He has incredible elusiveness and cutback ability. My only real concern is how much dancing he does behind the line of scrimmage. He is better cutting back to the inside than on runs designed to go inside. Singletary could be lethal in a zone blocking run scheme. While he didn't get many chances to catch the ball, he showed good hands when given the opportunity. He also showed the ability and willingness to run block, although he's unlikely to be asked to do so in the NFL. Singletary had some fumble issues in 2017, but cleaned that up this year.

Overall

My mathematical score places Singletary at the top of the 2nd round. I project he'll go between the Bottom of the 1st-2nd; he has great elusiveness and the ability to cut at a moment’s notice. He should be able to catch the ball more in the NFL than he did in college. While he doesn't have elite speed, his open field moves will ensure that he remains a big play threat. I wouldn’t be shocked in five years he’s thought of as the best back from this draft class. He and Jacobs look to be the most gifted runners available at the position. Most scouts aren’t as high on him as me which could cause him to be on the board longer than he should be.

Name: Benny Snell Jr.

Position: Running Back
College: Kentucky
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 223
Draft Grade: Mid 2nd

Draft Projection: 2nd – 4th

Athletic Ability

Not an elite athlete, but is far from a plodder. He isn't a huge home run threat, but he can break off some decent runs. He could run anywhere from a 4.55 – 4.62 40 time at the combine.

Competitiveness

Hard to deny the type of competitor Benny is. He's tough, productive, and was willing to run and pass block within Kentucky's offense. There was the rare time when it looked like he took a play off when asked to block.

Mental Alertness

You don't see many mental errors out of Snell; he seems to come to game day prepared.

Strength/Explosion

He's not an extremely explosive runner, but he's strong enough to break tackles and get tough extra yards. His durability will be important to NFL teams.

Position Skill

He is a good between the tackles runner, he has the vision to find holes and bounce to the outside when it is there. His consistent play is his top asset; nothing stands out as incredible besides his intangibles. Benny has had fumble issues and doesn't change which hand he carries the ball in.

Overall

Benny doesn't have the speed nor the elusiveness to be a 'wow' back. Which is probably why others aren’t as high on his skill set as myself. However, if used properly he will be an effective player who can wear a defense down. He's likely to take a beating due to his style, so he will need to be paired with another capable back. My mathematical grade has him going in the middle of the 2nd round. I believe he could go in the 2nd or drop to the 3rd round depending on how the draft plays out. If he runs closer to a 4.60 40, it’s possible Snell could drop into the 4th.He won't impress scouts like Jacobs due to his lack of burst and proven pass catching skills. Competitive and tough player.

Name: Josh Jacobs

Position: Running Back
College: Alabama
Height: 5’9’’
Weight: 2016
Draft Grade: Mid 2nd

Draft Projection: 1st – 2nd

Athletic Ability

Jacobs is an incredible athlete with the ability to change direction and quickly get himself planted to attack up field. He’s expected to run around a 4.49 40 at the combine, his size plus speed combo is a good mix.

Competitiveness

Plays through injuries and is a team player. Jacobs could of transferred due to a lack of playing time early in his career, but stuck it out at Alabama. He is a willing pass blocker and sticks his nose in when asked to run block as well.

Mental Alertness

He is always aware on the field, knows his assignments on pass protection and has good vision when running the ball.

Strength/Explosion

He plays strong, which allows him to fall forward and carry tacklers. He has a injury history going back to high school, which could be a sign for things to come in the NFL if he has to take on a bigger load. Is an explosive runner.

Position Skill

Jacobs has lethal cut back ability and can run effectively to the inside and outside. His ability as a receiver stands out as he shows the ability to adjust to the ball in flight, show soft hands, and is explosive when running after the catch. He is an extremely good pass blocker, and above average and willing run blocker if he were to ever need to do so. Had some ball security issues earlier in his career, but has seemingly cleaned that up.

Overall

My mathematical grade has Jacobs as a mid-2nd rounder. However, due to his pass catch traits, size/speed/strength combination, and return abilities he's likely to go at the end of the 1st or top of the 2nd. He is an every down back and if not for my concerns about his injury history, he would be a guarantee to play at least ten years in the league. Probably the best overall runner in the 2019 class.

Name: Bryce Love

Position: Running Back
College: Stanford
Height: 5’9’’
Weight: 191 - 202
Draft Grade: End 2nd

Draft Projection: 3rd – 6th

Athletic Ability

Love is extremely athletic and it shows in his tape, especially in his ability to be a big play back. His ACL injury at the end of the season may have caused him to lose some of his burst, which will be something teams rely on their doctors to examine. Prior to his injury he was expected to have a 40 between 4.26 – 4.46.

Competitiveness

He was banged up a lot through 2018 and has a chronic ankle issue which has cost him significant playing time. However, he remains a productive and team player. Was impressed by his willing to sell out during pass protection despite his smaller frame.

Mental Alertness

Doesn't seem to forget assignments. His tapes shows few instances where he picked up the wrong rusher in pass protection, but it is rare.

Strength/Explosion

His durability is a question mark, which hurts his overall stock. He runs stronger between the tackles than most backs his size. When he gets in the open field he is explosive and can take on tacklers. Doesn't get knocked back as much as you would think for someone his size should.

Position Skill

Love is a special back when he has the slightest crease and can house it from anywhere, incredible ball security. He is a willing blocker, but doesn't always have the best technique or strength to stonewall a rusher. He shows good hand despite rarely being used as a receiver, but on film he doesn't look to adjust to balls that have some air to him. His durability is a question, but he would be a lethal part of a 1-2 combination at Running Back if he isn't asked to run up the middle at the next level. His instincts as a runner remain credible, the ACL injury does create some mystery of how he will adjust when he is healthy.

Overall

My mathematical grade for Love has him at the bottom of the 2nd and would have been a 1st without his slew of durability questions. His injury history will scare some teams off (especially coming off ACL surgery), so I project him going between 3rd-6th rounds. A lot will depend on his medicals over the next few months. I would be shocked if he goes in the 1st like Willis McGahee after his horrific injury, but it’s possibly a team would use a 3rd or 4th on him if they are confident with his recovery prospects. Love has special running ability and could be a good pass catcher for an NFL team. He may end up being one of the steals of the draft. High risk, high reward player.

Name: Damien Harris

Position: Running Back
College: Alabama
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 215
Draft Grade: Top 3rd

Draft Projection: 2nd – 4th

Athletic Ability

Harris is an above average athlete. His best attribute is that he always collects himself quickly to get upfield. He’s expected run between a 4.55 – 4.60 40 time.

Competitiveness

A great team player who is willing to do the dirty work. Is tough, which makes up for him not being an elite athlete. Never quits.

Mental Alertness

Extremely intelligent player and it shows on the field.

Strength/Explosion

He has had some injury concerns. He doesn't play too strong and isn't explosive with the ball in his hands.

Position Skill

He is far better between the tackles than he is outside. Harris is an impressive pass blocker and that shows on film. Has shown the ability to catch the ball. Isn't extremely elusive. His vision is his best trait as a runner.

Overall

My mathematical grade has Harris as a top of the 3rd prospect. Some scouts have him pegged as a 2nd round prospect, while there has been talk about him sneaking into the 1st. However, I don't see the value there with the mid-late round depth at the position. Harris will likely go between the 2nd - 4th. His toughness, willingness to be a team player, and his vision as a runner are his best traits. His pass blocking skills will help his stock. He isn't explosive and won't be a big play threat in the NFL. He could be a quality backup who catches the ball and contributes on special teams.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.