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Scout Talk: Running Back Prospects Part 2 (6-10)



Hello Nation,

Walter here. The mid-round depth at Running Back in the 2019 draft is deep, meaning plays with fairly good grades will drop into the later rounds. We start seeing some of those players now. Due to similar grades a lot of this will come down to the style of back teams prefer, their meetings with the player, and just who they simply like more.

It's likely one of these players will end up making a huge contribution before the end of their rookie season.

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Name: Mike Weber

Position: Running Back
College: Ohio State
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 214
Draft Grade: Top 3rd

Draft Projection: 3rd – 5th

Athletic Ability

Nothing special about Weber's athletic ability. However, he is a good enough athlete coming from the Running Back position. He is expected to run between a 4.52 – 4.57 40.

Competitiveness

Weber is a competitive player who is tough, but not always consistent. Is willing to do whatever coaches ask of him.

Mental Alertness

He has had consistent fumbling issues which makes me slightly question his concentration. Aside from that his tape shows that his is an alert player.

Strength/Explosion

He plays with good strength due to his size but isn't exactly an explosive player. Dealing with injuries over the past two seasons calls into question his durability.

Position Skill

Weber is a good inside runner who lined up as a Wide Receiver quite a bit in college. His pass blocking ability shows up on tape and he is willing to meet rushers head on and extend his arms. Questions about his fumbling and durability will probably harm his draft stock. He shows good patience at times.

Overall

For me Weber grades out as a top of the 3rd talent. While I could see him going anywhere between the 3rd - 5th, rumors are NFL scouts see him being a 2nd - 3rd round talent. Weber has the traits to perform well in a zone blocking scheme due to his vision, his route running ability also improves his draft prospects. Unlike some other Running Backs with similar grades, Weber has the frame to project as an every down back with pass catching skills. He could do well in that role, yet he could also be a disappointment if taken in the first two rounds and expected to carry an offense.

Name: Myles Gaskin

Position: Running Back
College: Washington
Height: 5’9’’
Weight: 193
Draft Grade: Top 3rd

Draft Projection: 2nd – 5th

Athletic Ability

Not the best athlete, but he does show solid balance and feet. He is expected to run approximately a 4.53 40 at the combine.

Competitiveness

Extremely productive, does get quiet against top shelf competition. Sometimes it looks as if he takes plays off when asked to block.

Mental Alertness

Has missed blocking assignments which ended up getting his QB blasted. Has a good mental feel when he's running with the ball.

Strength/Explosion

Doesn't play with an explosive edge. Is a smaller back and rarely moves the pile forward. Has had some injuries but has played through them. He doesn't have the frame to take a beating at the next level.

Position Skill

He has good instincts and vision. Surprisingly he looked on tape to be more effective running inside than outside. He would be effective in a primary zone blocking scheme at the next level. He gets blown up in pass blocking. While he seems to be decent catching the ball, he struggled at times to catch the ball in tight coverage. He could become a good pass catcher at the next level. Quality ball security.

Overall

My mathematical grade for Gaskin is the middle of the 3rd. I could see a team falling in love with the production and vision and him going in the 2nd. The Seahawks reaching on Rashaad Penny (who I had a 3rd round grade on) last year should serve as a warning for teams. However, I could also see him dropping into the 4th or 5th round due to his lack of top end speed and slight build. He looks suited to be a 3rd down back who can catch the ball and run routes. In college he did line up as a WR and showed decent route running ability despite not putting up big receiving numbers. He will need to get stronger and improve in pass blocking. Could be an immediate contributor if not asked to carry the load. I could see value in him being used as a Punt Returner.

Name: David Montgomery

Position: Running Back
College: Iowa State
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 216
Draft Grade: Top 3rd

Draft Projection: 2nd – 5th

Athletic Ability

Montgomery isn't an amazing athlete, but he has enough athletic ability combined with balance and coordination to be an effective Running Back at the next level. Is expected to run between a 4.60 - 4.65 in the 40.

Competitiveness

Despite getting kicked out of a game during the 2018 season, Montgomery shows to be a solid team player. Willing to block. He is productive and consistent, just not at elite levels. Shows pride while playing.

Mental Alertness

Asked to do several different things in his offense. Adapted to everything well, has very good instincts on the field.

Strength/Explosion

Although he is not extremely explosive, Montgomery plays with good strength which allows him to fight for extra yards.

Position Skill

Montgomery has very good instincts with the ball in his hand and his cutback ability is extremely impressive. Shows soft hands and is experiences lining up as a receiver and catching the ball out of the backfield. David is a willing blocker who can stonewall rushers. Skilled player.

Overall

My grade for Montgomery comes out as a top of the 3rd. A good showing at the combine could elevate him into the second, his 40 time will be important for his draft stock. I project he will go between the 2nd - 5th rounds due to the mid round depth at Running Back and the questions around just how athletic David is. However, teams looking for a complete back that can play all three downs and grind tough yards, he is a great option. He doesn't have the biggest ceilings, but he has a low floor. He will provide value for whatever team selects him. Curious to see if he could play special teams at the next level.

Name: Bruce Anderson

Position: Running Back
College: North Dakota State
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: 209
Draft Grade: Top 3rd

Draft Projection: 4th – 6th

Athletic Ability

He is an above average athlete, while he doesn't have the best feet or hips, his coordination allows him to quickly square his shoulders and get up field. Expected to run between a 4.58 – 4.67 in the 40.

Competitiveness

While injuries did pop up every now and then and his production wasn't elite due to the offense he played in, Anderson is the ultimate team player. Sticks his nose in while pass blocking and is a willing lead blocker on runs when asked. Shows no ego.

Mental Alertness

I don't see any mistakes from him, he shows the awareness to slide while in pass protection and pick up a rusher. Well coached as North Dakota State players always seem to be.

Strength/Explosion

Anderson plays strong when he lowers his pads. However, you would expect him to be a bit more explosive due to his size. His injury history will be an issue for some scouts.

Position Skill

Anderson shows soft hands as a receiver and can adjust to the ball. He tends to run up-right at times which can prevent him from getting extra yards after contact. He shows patience and decisiveness when necessary. He's not going to make highlights with his juking ability. He is a willing pass blocker and shows good form and is also a capable run blocker.

Overall

My mathematical grade has him as a 3rd. His stock will rise or fall depending on his 40 time at the combine. With the depth at Running Back in this draft Anderson could go anywhere between the 4th - 6th rounds due to him playing at the FCS and his suspected only average athletic ability. His pass catching ability, unselfish play, and special teams’ capabilities may cause a team to fall in love with him and take him over some of the others I graded close to him. Anderson could develop into a capable runner, but he's probably never going to wow anyone. His mental attributes and competitive team nature are attractive traits.

Name: Justice Hill

Position: Running Back
College: Oklahoma State
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 190
Draft Grade: Mid 3rd

Draft Projection: 2nd – 4th

Athletic Ability

Hill is a good athlete who can move fluidly. He isn't elite, but good. Expected to run between a 4.42 – 4.50 40.

Competitiveness

He gives next to no effort in pass blocking at times. Film catches him running routes at half speed in some situations. While he wasn't used as much as he should have been in 2018, he can disappear in games and not always against top shelf defenses. There should be some concern here.

Mental Alertness

Good in most areas, seems to occasionally lose focus when blocking or route running.

Strength/Explosion

Not a strong player by any stretch. Lengthy rib injury this season draws question to his durability due to his slight frame. He will need to add muscle and strength.

Position Skill

He is a good runner, due to the Oklahoma State running scheme, Hill found great success cutting back to inside gaps. He has good vision. While not displaying great hands, he does have the ability to run after the catch. He seems to have solved his ball security issues that he had earlier in his career, but that could still be a concern. He needs to put a lot more effort and work into pass blocking, one of the worst pass blockers at the Running Back position I’ve graded in the class.

Overall

My mathematical grade on Hill is the middle of the 3rd. I believe a team may reach on him and take him in the 2nd because they fall in love with his traits and they see potential for him to contribute on special teams as a returner, especially if he runs closer to a 4.40 than 4.50. He could be effective if used as a change of pace back. I do not see him ever becoming a dominate feature back in the traditional, but he could be a solid contributor to an offense. I can see him going anywhere between the middle of the 2nd to the top of the 4th. Will likely go before Bryce Love due to his injuries, despite being a lesser version of that type of back.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.