NFL Draft 2014 Preview (9 page)

Strengths:
Excellent size and strength to run between the tackles. Has quick feet, gets out of the blocks well and shows some giddyup for a bigger back. Nice leg drive and forward lean. Surprisingly slippery. Good open-field ability — displays nice peripheral vision and elusiveness to run to daylight. Creates after the catch — can turn a screen or dump-off into a long gain. Scheme-versatile.

Weaknesses:
Has tight hips and struggles to string moves together. Lacks elite top-end speed — cannot gain the edge or pull away from the pack. Gears down and chops his steps to cut. Too often tripped up by ankle tackles. Pass protection needs work. Shaky ball security — eight fumbles in 366 carries 2012-13 (always totes in right hand). Only one year as a feature back.

Future:
A Miami transfer, Johnson is a big, nifty-footed runner with enough run strength and burst to be productive in a downhill power scheme or as a one-cut zone runner. However, he will have to take better care of the football and make strides in pass protection to earn carries.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I was not as wowed by him as I thought I would be. I thought he was an effective, middle-round type. He’s big, but he should play stronger. He has some physicality to his play. He’s an upright, high pad-level runner between the tackles. He’s not really strong inside. When he is on the move, he is a physical runner.”

RB HENRY JOSEY, #20 (JUNIOR)

MISSOURI
>
Grade: 5.08

Ht: 5-8 1/8 | Wt: 194 | Sp: 4.43 | Arm: 30 1/4 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Has a 2-year-old son, Henry Jr. Was a two-way player as a Texas prep at running back and defensive back. Over his final two high school seasons, he ran for 2,636 yards and 35 touchdowns. Saw action in all 13 games (one start) for Missouri as a true freshman in 2010, rushing 76 times for 437 yards (5.8-yard average) and five touchdowns with four receptions for 19 yards (4.8) and zero touchdowns. Entered the ’11 season third on the depth chart, but moved into the starting lineup in Week Three and went on a tear. In that contest against Western Illinois, he played just one half — and put on a 14-263-3 performance. Was fifth in the nation in rushing when he suffered a horrific left knee injury against Texas November 12, tearing his patellar tendon, ACL, MCL and both the lateral and medial menisci — requiring three operations. For the season, he amassed 145-1,168-9 (8.1) on the ground, 10-91-0 (9.1) receiving and 6-149-0 (24.8) returning kickoffs in 10 games (eight starts). The 8.1-yards per carry set a school record. Had follow-up surgeries in March and May of ’12 and spent that season rehabilitating the knee. After missing nearly 22 months of action, he returned to the gridiron in ’13 and picked up where he left off — starting 14 games and piling up 174-1,166-16 (6.7) on the ground and 10-65-1 (6.5) receiving. Became just the second tailback in Mizzou history to record two 1,000-yard campaigns. Had five rushes of 50-plus yards, including a 68-yard TD sprint against Murray State in his first game back and an 86-yard run vs. Kentucky.

Strengths:
Quick-footed and agile — smooth handling. Nice one-cut ability and burst through the hole. Good long speed. Averaged 7.4 yards per carry his last two seasons. Did not fumble as a junior. Well-liked and highly respected by teammates and coaches. Exhibited mental toughness persevering through injury.

Weaknesses:
Durability is a concern — is small-framed and not built to withstand the constant pounding of the pro game. Limited run strength (not a pile mover). Exposes himself to some violent hits. Was used sparingly as a receiver and returner. Benefited from wide splits and light boxes.

Future:
Short, darting, change-of-pace zone runner who will have to carve a niche as a third-down back. With a son to support and the memory of a gruesomely severe knee injury in 2011 (torn ACL, MCL, meniscus and patellar tendon), departed school early despite tepid draft projections. Is the type you root for, but will have to prove his chops as a receiver and pass protector to stick.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

RB-KR TRE MASON, #21 (JUNIOR)

AUBURN
>
Grade: 5.80

Ht: 5-8 1/2 | Wt: 207 | Sp: 4.49 | Arm: 30 | Hand: 9

History:
His father, Vincent “DJ Maseo” Mason, is a member of the Grammy Award-winning hip hop group De La Soul. Was a top Florida prep running back, rushing for 1,643 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior in 2010. Played in 12 games as a true freshman for Auburn in ’11, rushing 28 times for 166 yards (5.9-yard average) and one touchdown while returning 24 kickoffs for 633 yards (26.4) and one touchdown. Led the SEC in kickoff return average. Won the kickoff return job in camp and scored on a 97-yard scamper in his collegiate debut. After seeing limited action down the stretch, including losing his job as the kick returner, he was forced into a prominent role in the Chick-fil-A Bowl after starter Michael Dyer was suspended — and responded with a 9-64-1 performance against Virginia. Did not play in one game (coach’s decision). Had a much larger role in ’12, splitting time at running back and rushing 171-1,002-8 (5.9) and catching 7-86-0 (12.3) in 12 games (five starts). Was the first non-QB to lead Auburn in total offense since Bo Jackson in 1985. Had a breakout campaign in ’13, piling up 317-1,816-23 (5.7) on the ground, 12-163-1 (13.6) receiving and 15-395-1 (26.3) returning kickoffs in 14 games (12 starts). Was a Heisman Trophy finalist, breaking Bo Jackson’s single-season school mark with his SEC-high rushing yardage total. Also set school single-year records for all-purpose yards (2,374) and rushing touchdowns in winning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Over Auburn’s final three games against Alabama, Missouri and Florida State, he racked up 663 yards on the ground — including a memorable 46-304-4 affair against Mizzou in the SEC Championship Game. Followed up that performance with 195 rushing yards vs. Florida State, the most ever for a running back in a BCS Championship game.

Strengths:
Low center of gravity and pad level. Quick out of the blocks. Good vision to pick and slide. Can jump-cut abruptly and change the angle of pursuit. Darts through holes — excellent stop-and-start quickness. Spins off contact. Forward lean. Runs bigger than his size and finishes runs. Flashes good hands and creativity as a short receiver in limited exposure. Trustworthy in pass protection — faces up rushers. Has kickoff-return experience and has shown he can take it the distance. Proved capable of handling a heavy workload and played big in big games against top competition. Has a 38 1/2-inch vertical jump.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal size and could stand to bulk up to withstand a pounding. At times dances more than he should instead of taking what the defense gives. Seldom used as a receiver out of the backfield and could sharpen his route running. Can take better care of the football — eight fumbles the last two seasons. Durability could be an issue given his running style. Played in an up-tempo, power-spread system and benefited from light boxes, fatigued defenses and a strong offensive line.

Future:
The SEC Player of the Year, Mason is a compactly built, nifty-footed runner with a balanced skill set to merit 20 touches per game at the next level. Fits in multiple schemes and has the chops to make an impact as a rookie.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I like that little back. I put him at the bottom of 2. He was the most complete back that I came across. He has return ability. I think he is a good inside runner. He’s not a big dude, but he runs hard, has quick feet and good pad level. I’m not sure he has elite long speed. He catches the ball well and blocks pretty good. I never saw the guy make that many mistakes — that is what I liked. He showed consistency and versatility — he never has to come out of a game.”

RB-CB-RS JERICK McKINNON, #1

GEORGIA SOUTHERN
>
Grade: 5.37

Ht: 5-8 7/8 | Wt: 209 | Sp: 4.39 | Arm: 30 1/4 | Hand: 8 5/8

History:
His brother, Lester Norwood, won four letters as a free safety at Florida. Was an all-state quarterback as an Atlanta-area prep, lettering in both football and track. As a senior, he passed for over 1,500 yards and ran for more than 1,300. As a true freshman for Georgia Southern in 2010, he played in 10 games (including one start at quarterback) and rushed 109 times for 495 yards (4.5-yard average) and three touchdowns and completed 3-of-9 pass attempts (33.3 percent) for 24 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. Did not play in five games. In ’11, he saw action in 13 games (starting six times out of the A-back position and once at tailback) and scored touchdowns running, throwing and receiving. Carried 80-537-7 (6.7), passed 3-6-37-1-0 (50.0) and caught 6-127-1 (21.2). Also had two interceptions and a 41-yard kickoff return in an FCS playoff game against Maine. Was utilized on defense in GSU’s three playoff games, recording four tackles at cornerback. Did not play in one game due to an undisclosed injury. Broke out in ’12, starting 14 games — two at tailback, one at A-back, one at B-back and the final 10 at quarterback. Amassed 269-1,817-20 (6.8) on the ground, 20-49-597-7-3 (40.8) through the air and 1-15-0 receiving. Rushed for 316 yards against Central Arkansas, the second-highest single-game total in school history (Adrian Peterson, 333 in 1999). Appeared in 10 games (nine starts) in ’13, recording 161-1,050-12 (6.5) rushing, 8-17-171-4-1 (47.1) passing, 3-23-0 (7.7) receiving and 3-33-0 (11.0) returning kickoffs. Started five games at quarterback, two at the A-back position and two at the B-back spot. In GSU’s first-ever victory over a BCS school, he ran for 9-125-1 against Florida. Missed a late-season game with an ankle injury. Concluded his college career with 3,899 rushing yards, the third-highest total in school annals.

Strengths:
Very good athlete. Outstanding weight-room strength — bench-presses twice his weight and squats three times it. Tough runner — slams hard inside and usually falls forward. Good versatility. Superb worker. Efficient cut blocker. Led all backs at the Combine with 32 bench-press reps. Has a 40 1/2-inch vertical jump.

Weaknesses:
On the short side. Runs a bit upright and hesitant. Average burst to the perimeter. Not a creative, make-you-miss runner. Very limited career receiving production (10 career catches). Not stout in pass protection.

Future:
Adjusted from a triple-option quarterbacking role as a junior to a tailback role as a senior and possesses the athletic ability to warrant a chance as a change-of-pace back in the pros. Could even be tried as a return man and cornerback, where he began his college career. Would benefit from focusing on one position and will require some time to develop. Displays some similarties to Chicago Bears 1999 fifth-round pick Jerry Azumah.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“That was my sleeper. He was an unknown. He woke everyone up at the Combine. I still think he’s raw, but he’s got too much talent to work with. He’s a hard worker. It’s important to him. He’s a guy, when it gets closer, that I’d really like to figure out where he’s going to land.”

FB TREY MILLARD #33

OKLAHOMA
>
Grade: 5.12

Ht: 6-2 3/8 | Wt: 247 | Sp: 4.75e | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 1/8

History:
Last name is pronounced “MILL-ard.” Was OU’s primary fullback as a true freshman in ’10, rushing 24 times for 74 yards (3.1-yard average) and three touchdowns with 16 receptions for 135 yards (8.4) and one touchdown in 14 games (two starts). Earned all-Big 12 honors in ’11 after recording 24-169-2 (7.0) rushing and 13-127-1 (9.8) receiving in 13 games (three starts). The fullback had a career-long 61-yard touchdown run at Kansas State. Had 63 touches in ’12, tallying 33-198-0 (6.0) on the ground and 30-337-4 (11.2) receiving in 13 games (eight starts). Had a career-best receiving day against Texas, catching 5-119-1 — including a 73-yard reception. Was in the midst of a solid ’13 campaign when he tore his left ACL October 26, necessitating season-ending surgery. It marked the first time he missed collegiate action. In OU’s first eight games (five starts), he had rushed 17-97-1 (5.7) and caught 11-78-1 (7.1). Earned all-conference honors for the third straight year. Concluded his career with 32 special teams tackles. Ran for the first time since knee surgery in February ’14. Team captain.

Strengths:
Outstanding size. Hits with some thump and is an efficient lead blocker. Nice run skills — shows vision, patience and subtle moves to avoid direct contact. Soft hands. Adjusts well to the ball and possesses better body control and agility than a traditional iso-lead blocking fullback. Blue-collar worker. Leads by example. Quietly competitive. Determined short-yardage runner capable of finding a crease and slamming through the line. Has a special-teams temperament (has delivered knockout shots). Solid all-around production. Versatile, lines up all over the field (fullback, tailback, in the slot) and does everything well (can run, block, catch and cover kicks). Very intelligent and football smart.

Weaknesses:
Limited burst, change of direction and short-area explosion — one-speed runner with no gear change. Average power and tackle-breaking ability. Shows some tightness as a route runner. Not a true hammer as a lead blocker and does not jolt defenders on contact. Might not be 100 percent as a rookie following ACL surgery.

Future:
A versatile jack-of-all-trades, Milllard brings the most value as a core special-teams contributor. Is best suited for a role as a fullback in a matchup-based offense where he could fill a variety of roles. Has been very reliable and durable throughout his career, but late October ACL injury could still require some rehabilitation as a rookie and could affect his draft standing.