2015 NFL Draft: T.J. Yeldon Scouting Report

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back T.J. Yeldon (4) looks for running room as Missouri Tigers defensive back John Gibson (1) closes in during the first quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama is historically a factory for running backs, and the 2015 NFL draft figures to offer no exception. What does the future hold for latest product T.J. Yeldon?

Strengths

Yeldon shows the proper technique of a true running back in that his head is always up and he uses his eyes well, showing the ability to go into a crowd and still find the opening. It also shows on stretch and sweep plays as he demonstrates proper patience to follow his blockers and then getting north-south once he sees where the hole will develop.

His mechanics still leave something to be desired, but don’t sell Yeldon short as a pass protector for his quarterback. When he gets things straight he has the capability to not only block but stonewall pass rushers coming up the middle on a blitz or off the edge.

One big advantage to his big frame and good length that Yeldon utilizes very well is a strong stiff arm. Not only does he have the strength to keep defenders off him, but he has the body control and quickness to bounce off if he gets his hands on them.

Perhaps the most underrated strength of his game that may not announce itself at first is how good T.J. Yeldon is in short yardage. At first he doesn’t strike as a true power back but time and again when his team hands him the ball needing a 1st down or a touchdown in the red zone, he delivers. He throws himself into the line when needed but also has a nifty spin move that allows him to keep tacklers off him just long enough to get that critical extra yard.

Weaknesses

One thing that he got away with at Alabama that won’t go over well at the pro level is combining his tall frame with an upright running style. That is a combination that can open up runners to vicious hits from savvy defenders. It doesn’t show up often on tape, but the problem is there if you watch carefully.

For all the good Yeldon does in short yardage, not all of it can be attributed to his lower body strength. He’s not weak by any means, but the Alabama back lacks a certain degree of power and drive expected in those of his size. He has enough juice to break an initial tackle but rarely can do enough to break a second.

Probably the biggest wild card to deciding where he ultimately ends up in the 2015 NFL draft is how teams feel about his ball security. Yeldon ran the ball 576 times at Alabama, but he also fumbled it 10 times and also had a number of dropped passes. By comparison, Todd Gurley ran it 510 times and only put it on the ground three times.

Draft Stock

In a deep draft class, T.J. Yeldon is going to be one of those Day 2 picks who turns out being a starter for some team and doing very well. He’s been coached well, can do everything asked of him and has enough talent to put together a productive pro career.

Pro Comparison: Steven Jackson