Fansided
Fansided

NFL Combine Scouting Notes: Running Backs

By Matthew Holowiak

Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry participates in drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry participates in drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott participates in drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott participates in drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Okay, now the running backs you’ve been waiting for. I’m going to start with Ezekial Elliott and then move on to Derrick Henry. I don’t want to call Ezekial Elliott a bust. He clearly has some of the top skill sets in this draft at his position. I know he is most likely the best pass blocking back in this draft. BUT, I see more issues with his game than most. The biggest issue that I saw during workouts at the combine was his ball handling.

I DID NOT SAY PASS CATCHING! He is not a receiver so I’m not going to judge his catching ability that high. Yes it is needed in the league today to be a full time back and have the ability to catch, they go hand in hand. HOWEVER, that does not excuse basic ball handling issues. Nearly every drill that I saw him in, I could not stop myself from yelling at the TV “GET THE BALL IN THE OTHER HAND!” I have a freshman in high school as a running back on my Varsity team who will always have the ball in the proper hand based on field position. Too many times I saw Elliott with bad ball skills. I consider the ball exposed if it is in the inside hand no matter how good of a running back you are.

Okay, maybe I’m being a little picky watching his ball skills. He has very good footwork, however I see an issue with them. I don’t think he is the back that can make his own running lane or make a sharp cut back to an open running lane. Again, I’m not saying it is bad, but we are looking at him being a potential top pick in the draft. Last year Todd Gurley was the first running back taken in the first round in three years. He clearly showed why, he was light years ahead of the other backs taken the last couple years and light years ahead of the other rookie running backs. Just because someone is the top player at his position does not mean he should be billed as a top 10 or top 15 pick.

He ran a faster time than some may have expected in the 40, but that’s right around where I pictured him. I think it’s concerning that at his size it wasn’t a little bit lower, but again I’m getting picky for a first round back. He has the ability to break away after getting to the second level, and is powerful enough to run through tackles.

I think he will still go in the first round, but in my opinion I don’t think he should be a high first round pick. This is a defensive heavy draft and I think teams should be looking to get these top defenders while they can. He has not shown me why he should be a top 15 pick.

Next: Derrick Henry

Home/NFL Draft