Scouting Report: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

Mark Ingram is the consensus #1 running back in the N.F.L. draft. There is a big debate in the draftnik community about whether or not it is worth drafting a running back in the first round, I am in favor of it for some running backs for certain teams. Let’s take a look to see if Mark Ingram is one of these players.

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Running Back Specific Traits

Vision:

This is the number one attribute that sets Mark Ingram apart from all of the other running back prospects in this class. His vision is extraordinary and is the #1 reason why people consistently compare Mark Ingram to Dallas Cowboy Legend Emmitt Smith. Mark Ingram has excellent running vision and it almost seems like he can see the game before it happens. He does very well at setting up his blocks and finding the crease to run through to get into the second level. He also does a good job of finding the cutback lanes and maximizing his possible yardage. Vision, is perhaps the most important asset a Running back needs to have, and Ingram has exellent field vision.

Carrying:

Ingram also excels at carrying the football and should not have fumbling issues at the N.F.L. level. Ingram essentially never fumbles, and has a knack for protecting the ball in traffic and switching the ball away from traffic when he needs to. Ingram also has the upper body strength and arms to secure the ball at the next level. Fumbling the ball is a major issue for some running backs as they go from the NCAA to the N.F.L. where everyone tries to strip the ball, but I don’t forsee fumbling a problem for Ingram at the next level. 2 fumbles in his last 28 games.

Receiving:

Mark Ingram is a fluid and productive receiver out of the backfield and allows the ball to travel into his hands. He doesn’t drop a ton of passes and doesn’t look to run before he catches the ball. He’s not the route runner in the vein of C.J. Spiller, but he is a coachable young man so this can be worked on, and he will improve this area of the game in the N.F.L.

Pass Protection:

Ingram is a willing blocker and has the body to be a good N.F.L. blocker, but he’s just not great at pass blocking. He’ll lunge his body into a defender, but he doesn’t anchor well and could be beaten constantly at the N.F.L. if his technique doesn’t improve. Pass blocking keeps a lot of rookies off the field, which isn’t great news for Ingram, but blocking is fixible. Ingram shouldnt’ have the same trouble for picking up blitzers that plagues many young running backs, it’s more of a technique issue. Ingram has the size and functional strength to become a good blocker, he just needs refinement.

Tough yardage/Big Plays

I think that there are two important areas for teams in the running game, getting tough yards and breaking long runs. Many teams use a combination of back to acheive this goal. There are running backs who specialize in getting the tough yardage (think a John Kuhn) and those who are more big play running backs (Jamaal Charles is a good example). The truly elite running backs can do both (Steve Jackson’s tough running, but also penchant for making big plays).

I think Ingram is a complete running back in this area. Ingram has very good body control and is able to slip through some tackles to get the extra yardage, braced with his fantastic field vision allows him to find the yardage when necessary.

The other part of being an elite running back is a little tougher. To me, Ingrams’ speed is underrated. I recognize that he might not have the pure time speed that other players (C.J. Spiller for example) have, but to me he has excellent acceleration, which makes up for his speed.

Once Ingram gets past the first line of defense he can hit his top gear almost instantly. And I can’t remember too many times when Ingram took off that he didn’t get a ways down the field, yes there will be players who can catch him, but I think it’s ridiculous to think that he can’t be a big play back in the N.F.L. He has much better speed than players like Payton Hillis, but that’s where I feel people are estimating his speed at. I think Ingram can be caught from behind, but I also think he’ll break his fair share of 40 yard runs. People greatly over-estimate speed. Brandon Jacobs, was 6th in the league this year in plays over 20 yards and he not only doesn’t have great speed, he also didn’t have a ton of carries. Legarette Blount, also not a blazer, had 10 plays over 20 yards in 201 carries, only Darren Mcfadden had as many big plays with so few carries (Mcafdden had 14 in 223 carries). Straight line speed is overrated.

Contributing Success Factors

Production:

Ingram, was not as productive this past season as he was two years ago, but two years ago he dominated even the best of teams. 150 yards vs Virginia Tech, 172 vs Mississippi State, 144 vs LSU 113 vs Florida, and 112 vs Texas, which where the five teams in the top 20 that Alabama played in 2009. He also found the TD more than any other Alabama running back in his prestiege career.

In 2010 Ingram still had an accomplished year, but his production suffered some from an increased role to Trent Richardson and because of nagging injuries.

Intangibles:

He is the son of a former professional N.F.L player (even if that player/father is now in jail). He also won the Derrick Thomas Community Award in 2010. Is recognized as a hard worker, and likely to be a film junkie in the N.F.L.

Pro Potential:

I don’t think Mark Ingram’s potential as high as Adrian Peterson’s potential was entering the N.F.L. draft, which makes people think he might not be worth a top 10 pick, but I don’t prescribe to that theory. I think he could develop into one of the 5-7 best running backs in the league in a couple of years with his all around ability as a running back.

Player Comparision:

High End: The player comparision you see the most is Emmit Smith so I’ll shy away from that comparision and go to a comparision I like just as well, if not better. He reminds me so much of Maurice Jones Drew with a very similar running style and an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and the excellent field vision. Like Jones Drew he has a good combination of power and speed to get the tough yardage and also to make big plays. Jones-Drew only had 8 plays over 20 yards this season, but is considered as a player that can make big plays anytime he steps on the field. I also think that Ingram is going to show speed close to Jones-Drew (4.39 40) than people think he will. Like I wrote up at the top both Legarette Blount and Brandon Jacbos were in the top 10 in the league in 20+ yard plays even though they had fewer carries than many other running backs. Jones-Drew is faster though.

Low end: Marion Barber. Marion Barber lacks the elite speed of other running backs, but is a solid all around running back who has suffered from taking too many hits and is not as effective as he was a couple of years ago. Barber has been prolific at finding the End-Zone in the Red-zone, but he’s not an elite, or top running back. Ingram could be that kind of player if his career didn’t pan out the way I think it will (and I think he’ll be more like Maurice Jones Drew).

Final Word:

I think Mark Ingram is an underrated prospect on many big boards, where he is constantly ranked between 16-32 on the big board, but to me He’s a much better prospect than that. He’s a very good, all around running back who has the two most important traits for a running back: excellent field vision, and an ability to hold onto the football. Mark Ingram maximizes his yardage in close quarters, but has enough speed to have his fair share of 20+ yard plays, and the acceleration to take it to the distance from long out at times as well. I don’t know if he can be the KR Maurice Jones Drew is, but I think he could develop into a good KR as well with his good field vision. I think the highest Ingram is likely to go is 13th to the Lions, but he might not be able to make it past the Dolphins at 15. Wherever he lands up, I think the team has one of the safest prospects in the draft and a player who should be productive for the next 5-8 years, barring major injury.

Also we have three prospect interviews this weekend and three more mock drafts to unevil this week so check back often as we continue to bring you the latest news.

Have a nice day, everyone.

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