James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
James Conner, a physical runner out of the University of Pittsburgh, a potential mid-round pick that has first round heart. See his strengths and weaknesses…
James Conner’s path to the NFL was all but a straight shot. After splitting time his freshman year with Isaac Bennett, Conner took over as the bell cow his sophomore campaign. During the 2014 season, he ran for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns earning numerous accolades.
Primed for a big junior season, he injured his MCL in the first game of the season, allowing a redshirt year. While rehabbing his MCL, the doctors found Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during a scan altering his career path. Through his persistency, Conner returned to Pitt as the captain and heart of the team. In his redshirt Junior season, he totaled 216 carries for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns.
"“I’ve come to realize that me being a cancer survivor is something I’ll never get away from. It’s a part of my story, no doubt. I am more than the guy who beat cancer.”(James Conner, the Players Tribune)"
Strengths
As a converted defensive end, Conner is the embodiment of brute strength. He keeps his legs churning and carries piles for yards at a time. Being able to lower a shoulder and leave a safety looking skyward at him is one of his most appealing qualities. Although he averaged over five yards a carry, Conner will be an immediate plug-in for any NFL team in short yardage situations. Listed at 240 lbs., he is impossible to bring down with just an arm tackle.
Against Penn State, he flashed his old ability, running through arm tackles and ruining smaller defenders. It took a gang-tackle after a missed tackle to bring him down in open field on this play.
On top of his ability to lower a shoulder and drop a safety, he possesses a lethal stiff arm. Here is a prime example of the powerful open-field move against Clemson. The end result of this run was the turning point of the Panther’s upset of the eventual National Champion.
To the surprise of no one, he wears his heart on his sleeve and makes sure that he provides the best leadership he possibly can. He doesn’t take any plans off and goes full tilt on every down. He is a very solid blocker due to his experience on the line and his sheer size. Conner should make an impact early on in his NFL career and build upon his quality traits.
Weaknesses
Although a bruising back with the determination to get to the end-zone, Conner struggles with speed getting there. Running a 4.65 40, he didn’t help the argument that he was still bouncing back from his injury. It seems that he has cemented himself as a short-yardage back due to the lack of a next level gear.
When he hits the hole, Conner has an issue turning on the jets and bursting through the first level of defense. This isn’t uncommon for halfbacks of this stature, but you would like an NFL RB to possess a burst. You can see below that once he hits the hole, he doesn’t attack it with veracity.
Furthermore, Conner is considered a strictly power back. He doesn’t have great lateral movement an although he seemingly has decent vision, he won’t have the speed and agility to get to certain holes in the NFL. Conner is going to need a solid line in front of him to allow a smooth enough entry point into the defense to have enough speed to utilize his frame.
Conclusion
As it stands, Conner has the frame to be a very solid power back in the NFL. He has come out and said that he wants to get leaner so he can be a more complete back and there won’t be anyone that will doubt his determination to get what he wants. Conner should be a very solid day three pick, but will contribute in some form from the jump.