NFL Draft 2014 Preview (10 page)

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“The highest graded player (Oklahoma has) is the fullback this year. He’s a starter in the league. He’s okay. He has nice hands. He’s a good enough athlete and tough and all that. Fullbacks just don’t get drafted highly any more. They go 5 to 7 if they are any good. It’s become an obsolete position in the league.”

RB adam muema, #4 (JUNIOR)

san diego state
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Grade: 5.09

Ht: 5-9 5/8 | Wt: 202 | Sp: 4.55e | Arm: 29 7/8 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
Last name is pronounced “MOO-eh-ma.” Suffered a horrific injury at a high school graduation party in May 2010 while defending a friend’s parent, as an assailant struck him in the face with a bat. His injuries required 36 stitches, his orbital bone was fractured, and when the vision in his left eye began to deteriorate it was discovered he had a macular hole in the retina of the eye. Doctors performed surgery to place a gas bubble behind his eye, allowing the hole to heal. Went to San Diego State and redshirted in ’10. Backed up current Denver RB Ronnie Hillman in ’11, playing in six games (one start) and rushing 42 times for 253 yards (6.0-yard average) and three touchdowns with two receptions for three yards (1.5) and one touchdown. Did not play in the season’s first seven games. Was pressed into service as a starter late in the year against Boise State and responded with a 13-119-2 effort in his first college start. Moved into the starting lineup in ’12 and tallied 237-1,458-16 (6.2) on the ground and 9-147-1 (16.3) receiving in 13 games. Despite being limited by hamstring and ankle injuries in ’13, he became the fourth Aztec running back to put up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, amassing 256-1,244-15 (4.9) rushing and 18-98-0 (5.4) receiving in 13 games. Concluded his SDSU career with 13 100-yard games in 27 starts, including four 200-yard efforts — a figure surpassed in school history only by Marshall Faulk. Went to the Combine and left early, saying he believed that God said the Seattle Seahawks would select him in May’s draft. After leaving, he wasn’t heard from for a few days until he showed up at the Florida facility where he had been preparing for Indy. He was reportedly still dressed in his combine gear and had been at the Fort Lauderdale airport for three straight days. He has since been dropped by his agent and returned to California.

Strengths:
Has a strong, compact build. Good vision, quickness, agility and short-area burst — makes subtle moves and can sort his way through tight spaces, find small creases and make the first tackler miss. Sets up runs and has good lower-body power to kick through arm tackles. Runs hard with a low center of gravity and does not go down easy. Good receiving skills and open-field running vision to create after the catch. Outstanding production.

Weaknesses:
Average size. Lacks bellcow power and run strength ideally suited to carry a full workload. Likes to bounce a lot and press the edges. Will need more technique work in pass protection. Did not regularly face top competition and will be more challenged by the speed of the NFL game.

Future:
A herky-jerky, off-tackle/perimeter runner most ideally suited for a zone ground game such as the Eagles, Seahawks or Packers, Muema could earn a complementary role as a change-of-pace back. Could be a surprise, late-round find if he can find more stability .

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“That was one of the wilder situations I have encountered at the Combine.They said he was meditating on his bed. He wants to be a free agent and play for the Seahawks. That is the story. I think he was scared to run his 40. He is quicker than fast. He’s probably a 4.7 guy.”

RB-KR ladarius perkins, #27

mississippi state
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Grade: 5.23

Ht: 5-7 3/8 | Wt: 195 | Sp: 4.46 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
The Mississippi prep played both running back and defensive back. Rushed for 1,915 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. Also was a track standout, earning state titles in both the 100 and 200 meters. Originally committed to Auburn before staying home to play for Mississippi State. After sitting out in 2009 as a redshirt, he played in 13 games for the Bulldogs in ’10 and rushed 101 times for 566 yards (5.6-yard average) and three touchdowns with nine receptions for 247 yards (27.4) and three touchdowns. Also was used on special teams, recording 14-281-0 (20.0) on kickoffs and 1-16-0 on punts. Backed up Colts RB Vick Ballard in ’11 when he played in 13 games and carried 87-422-2 (4.9) and caught 13-59-2 (4.5) to go with 16-363-0 (22.7) on kickoff returns. Moved into the starting lineup in ’12 and tallied 205-1,024-8 (5.0) on the ground, 19-160-2 (8.4) receiving and 16-325-0 (20.3) on kickoff returns in 12 starts. Crossed the goal line in each of his first seven starts and had four 100-yard efforts. His 1,509 all-purpose yards were the fifth-highest total in school history. Missed one game with an injured left quad. Sprained an ankle in the ’13 season opener and was hobbled by the injury all year, totaling 137-542-2 (4.0) on the ground and 27-248-3 (9.2) receiving in 12 starts. Missed one game due to the ankle injury. Concluded his college career ranking second in school history in all-purpose yards (4,253) and fifth in rushing (2,554). Team captain.

Strengths:
Compact and muscular. Strong hips. Quick-footed and shifty. Good acceleration from static start. Short-area burst is best asset. Stops and starts quickly. Darts through holes. Hits another gear when he gets into the second level. Competitive speed. Willing blocker. Led team in all-purpose yards as redshirt freshman. Well-respected with outstanding football and personal character.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal bulk to handle a heavy workload week to week. Has some hip tightness. Average eyes and instincts. Not a pile mover. Tends to pitter patter instead of pressing the hole. Gears down to cut. Did not put the ball on the ground often, but carries loosely and at times in the wrong hand.

Future:
Undersized, competitive, change-of-pace back who was bothered by an ankle injury as a senior, but offers enough of a balanced skill set, including good acceleration, to be a better pro than college player. Showed well at the Combine and evaluators would benefit to revisit junior tape for a better indication of his ability.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

FB jay prosch, #35

AUBURN
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-0 3/4 | Wt: 256 | Sp: 4.65e | Arm: 30 1/8 | Hand: 10

History:
His last name rhymes with “posh.” Alabama prep who earned all-state honors at linebacker as a senior and as an offensive lineman as a junior. Played in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game in 2009. Recorded a 440-pound bench press and 590-pound squat in high school. Began his college career at Illinois, where he made the transition to fullback by upping his weight from 245 to 255 while dropping his body fat from 11 percent to nine percent. Played in 13 games (seven starts) for the Illini as a true freshman in 2010, including a start in the season opener. Only touched the ball one time all year — a one-yard reception. Was the primary fullback and a key special teams player in ’11, appearing in 12 games (five starts) and rushing twice for nine yards (4.5-yard average) and zero touchdowns while recording 11 special-teams tackles. Did not play in the Kraft Hunger Bowl due to a staph infection in his left knee. After the season, he obtained an NCAA waiver to transfer to Auburn in order to be close to home; his mother, Iris, had been diagnosed with a terminal form of brain cancer (she passed away in September ‘12). Was Auburn’s main fullback in ’12, appearing in all 12 games (seven starts) and carrying 12-38-2 (3.2) while catching 5-19-0 (3.8). Played in 14 games in ’13, including 11 starts at H-back, but did not have any rushing attempts. Caught 5-95-1 (19.0), including a 56-yard reception vs. Texas A&M. Was a starter on three special teams units despite breaking a thumb during the season.

Strengths:
Exceptional weight-room strength. Outstanding peripheral blocking vision — scans wide and locates. Generates power through his lower body and drives defenders out of the hole. Very good hip roll and explosion. Runs his feet on contact. Intense, determined competitor. Good finisher. Is fairly light on his feet for as big and strong as he is. Can create a surge in short-yardage situations and power through the line. Catches the ball easily. Core special teams performer. Outstanding personal and football character — highly respected, team leader. Versatility is a big plus. Very durable.

Weaknesses:
Robotic, overly muscled, tightly wound mover. Has very short arms and struggles to lock on and sustain on the move. Marginal elusiveness — gears down to cut. Unsudden route-runner. Limited receiving production / touches.

Future:
An old-school, throwback fullback with explosive power to pave the way as an iso-lead blocker and enough speed and athletic ability to carve a niche as a core special teams performer. Valuable pass protector with good hands and short-yardage running power to contribute when needed.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take: “
How many fullbacks get drafted every year? You know exactly what he is. He’s stiff. What you see is what you get. ...I am not a fan. There’s a chance he gets drafted late. He is a big, good-looking, robotic dude. He stops his feet on blocks and tends to get overextended and doesn’t play with a lot of leverage and power. There’s not a low of ‘wow’ to him.”

RB silas redd, #25

usc
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Grade: 5.05

Ht: 5-9 3/4 | Wt: 212 | Sp: 4.69 | Arm: 30 3/4 | Hand: 9

History:
The Connecticut prep rushed for 1,924 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior in 2009. Also participated in basketball and lacrosse. Enrolled at Penn State in January 2010 after graduating a semester early from high school. As a true freshman, he played in 12 games and rushed 77 times for 437 yards (5.7) and two touchdowns, caught four passes for 27 yards (6.8) and zero touchdowns and returned seven kickoffs for 147 yards (21.0) and zero touchdowns. Missed one game due to an undisclosed injury. Late in the campaign, he was cited for disorderly conduct after being caught relieving himself in public at 4:13 a.m. Had a breakout campaign in ’11, amassing 244-1,241-7 (5.1) on the ground and 9-40-0 (4.4) receiving in 13 games (11 starts). Had six 100-yard games — including five in succession. An injury to his collarbone and sternum slowed him late in the year. Following the Jerry Sandusky scandal, he was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA to transfer to USC without being forced to sit out a season. Arrived on the Southern Cal campus and moved into a co-starter role in ’12, appearing in 12 games (six starts) at tailback and tallying 167-905-9 (5.4) rushing and 9-113-1 (12.6) receiving. Was sidelined for one game with a sprained right ankle. Was limited to just six games (four starts) in ’13 due to injuries, recording 81-376-1 (4.6) rushing and 10-45-1 (4.5) receiving. Missed most of spring practice after tearing cartilage in his left knee, necessitating arthroscopic surgery. Was on the shelf for the first five games recuperating. After returning to action, he injured his right knee November 9 and missed three of USC’s final four games. Between Penn State and USC, he combined for 2,959 rushing yards and 12 career 100-yard games.

Strengths:
Good eyes and cutback ability. Is well-built with a yoked-up musculature and very good thickness. Is subtly shifty and nimble enough to sidestep the first tackler and avoid direct hits. Good leg drive — keeps churning on contact and is surprisingly strong for a smallish back. Tough, willing blocker — shows good eyes and awareness in pass protection and seeks to finish.

Weaknesses:
Has very small hands and is not a crafty route runner. Lacks burst to take the corner and the breakaway speed to pull away. Bulked up as a senior following left-knee surgery in the spring and lost a half-step. Limited knee extension (does not open his stride). Split time in a rotation and was not a full-time starter at USC.

Future:
A one-cut, inside zone runner, Redd is a solid, all-around performer with a No. 2 skill set. Can pick up yardage in chunks and would most ideally be suited for a ground game such as the Seahawks, Eagles or Packers.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“Redd is just a guy. He is well put-together. He is a thick dude. He was the highest rated guy I had on the (spring) list going in. He’s not a full-time starter there. He plays in a rotation. He’s quicker than fast and has balance and enough speed.”

RB bishop sankey, #25 (JUNIOR)

washington
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Grade: 5.55

Ht: 5-9 1/2 | Wt: 209 | Sp: 4.49 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 10

History:
The blue-chip prospect from Spokane rushed for 4,355 yards as a prep. Saw action in 12 games in 2011 as a reserve tailback and special teams player, rushing 28 times for 187 yards (6.7-yard average) and one touchdown. Grabbed six passes for 14 yards (2.3) and zero touchdowns while returning seven kickoffs for 134 yards (19.1). Started 12-of-13 games (all but season opener) in which he played in ’12 and produced 289-1,439-16 (5.0), which is the third-highest rushing total in UW history. Hauled in 33-249-0 (7.5) and was the MVP of the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl after setting the school’s bowl record with 205 yards rushing and 74 yards receiving. Had a record-breaking ’13 season, setting UW single-season mark for rushing yards with 1,870 breaking Corey Dillon’s 1996 mark (1,695 yards) and had 37 career rushing touchdowns (Napoleon Kaufman, 34). The Doak Walker Award finalist amassed 327-1,870-20 (5.7) on the ground and scored a rushing touchdown in each game while averaging 143.8 rushing yards per game and hauling in 28-304-1 (10.9) receiving. Team captain.