2015 NFL Draft: Cameron Artis-Payne Scouting Report

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (44) runs with the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The list goes on in terms of quality running backs the 2015 NFL draft seems loaded with. Where does Cameron Artis-Payne of Auburn stack up?

Strengths

The first thing that stands out about Artis-Payne is his vision. He keeps his body compact and uses his eyes to scan the line and not only does he show awareness for where the hole is but also has that instinct for where it’s going to be, which is why he can break big gains.

Increasing his value is the fact that he’s also a very good pass catcher. He demonstrates good hands technique when catching the football and rarely, if ever bobbles it. On top of that he’s patient enough to look the ball into his grasp before turning upfield.

Is he blazing fast? No. However, defenses must be careful because Artis-Payne has what some might call “game speed.” Once he sees an opening he has a deceptive burst that gets him to the next level and enough speed to break away before the safeties can react.

Sometimes running backs make their living with sheer athleticism and actually don’t relish the contact that comes with the position. That isn’t the case for CAP. He shows no fear for contact, willingly throwing his body into piles and against defenders trying to pick up positive yardage. This works to his advantage as sometimes it allows him to bounce off and create a big play.

Weaknesses

While he does have burst, Artis-Payne can’t be categorized as “explosive.” His movements are deliberate and sometimes he can be caught dancing at the line of scrimmage. His pass routes aren’t very crisp at times either.

One thing that threatens to hurt his chances to become a starter is his inability to consistently break tackles. Frequently on tape one will find a singular defender getting his hands on Artis-Payne and bringing him to the ground without too much hassle.

That lack of leg drive and power also hurts him in short yardage. Too often he simply choose a direction to go and then throws his body into the pile, trusting his has a big enough head of steam to get what he needs. He doesn’t have a keen sense of where the gap is and how to slide into it. His lack of height (5’9”) and length don’t help either.

Cameron Artis-Payne doesn’t fear contact as stated above, which means he has no problems blocking. The problem is he’s just not that good at it. He can help teammates on double teams and throws his body at blitzers but his technique and limited strength are evident. Bigger and longer defenders can brush him aside easily and be in the lap of the quarterback before or while the ball is coming out.

Draft Stock

He isn’t a superstar by any means but if a team is looking for good, solid running back to add to their rotation, then Artis-Payne would make a great value pick in the middle rounds. He runs hard, is tough and shows the vision and patience to find openings.

Pro Comparison: Giovani Bernard