Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami 2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Lamar Miller is emerging as the second best running back prospect in the nation behind only Alabama’s Trent Richardson.

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Measurables

5’11 212 pounds.

Official Combine numbers:

4.40 forty yard dash, 33 inch vertical jump

Runs a very quick 40 yard dash

Miller is UM’s second-fastest player, running the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds

Stats

2010: 108 attempts 646 rushing yards 6 touchdowns. 11 receptoins 96 yards. 3 punt returns for 16 yards. 8 kick returns for 214 yards with one touchdown.

2011:

Pros

Fast….powerful…can break tackles (rarely goes down on first contact) …decisive…gets down hill in a hurry…can break the game wide open with his speed…has return ability…shifty… adequate ball carrier vision…sets up the draw well……a plus blocker willing blocker with the body to continue to improve in that area (technique could use a little refinement)…

Cons

Doesn’t set up blocks extremely well…not a special receiver out of the backfield for a player with his speed…haven’t seen him fumble much, but I can’t find the numbers to know for sure how often he fumbles, at the same time it doesn’t look like he covers up well enough in traffic will have to improve on that in the N.F.L…doesn’t have great hands…doesn’t run a lot of routes out of the backfield

Player Comparison

Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay Bucaneers (now with the Rams)

Sayre’s player comparison: Clinton Portis

Williams’ career has been derailed by injuries, but he and Miller are similar kind of talents coming out of college. I think Miller is a much better blocker than Williams wass, but the size/speed combination is similar (Miller is actually a little bigger and might run a little faster than Williams did at the combine). Williams was also considered a tough runner who could get downhill in a hurry. Williams had a very nice start to his career until the injuries started to mount. If Miller is put into a good situation and stays healthy he could be the running back the Buccaneers hoped Williams would be when he was drafted in 2005.

Projected round

First round pick.

Thoughts:

Miller isn’t the receiver that Trent Richardon is, but he’s not that far behind as a rusher. He has excellent game-breaking speed and gets north and south in a hurry. A lot of speed backs want to dance at the line of scrimmage to break the big plays, but Miller is the opposite of that and almost gets up the field too fast. But because of that he doesn’t have too many negative runs. He could use work in setting up his blockers on screen passes and he isn’t asked to run a lot of routes out of the backfield so that’s an area he might struggle with when he goes into the N.F.L. What you love about Miller though is his deceptive strength to break tackles and his blocking ability for a young running back which is really good. He also offers return ability. I like Miller and if he declares he’s a viable first round pick at running back for me.

Video

Lamar Miller 2010 NFL draft Analysis

Lamar Miller vs Maryland 2011

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