2019 NFL Draft Scouting Report: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
Running backs continue to get the focus from Eric Robinson in preparation for the 2019 NFL Draft. Here is the latest scouting report on a promising Big 12 prospect.
Trivia question: When was the last time an Iowa State running back was selected in the NFL Draft?
If you answered 1997, then you would be absolutely correct. It was Troy Davis who was selected in the third round by the New Orleans Saints and his career lasted just three seasons with just 446 career rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Fast forward 22 years later and the Cyclones football program has a prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft that can very well be the best running back product out of Iowa State.
With the 2019 NFL Draft drawing near, here is the scouting report on the physical running back that is David Montgomery.
David Montgomery Measurables
Height: 5’10
Weight: 222 lbs
Career stats: 624 rushes, 2,925 yards, 26 TDs; 71 receptions, 582 yards
Strengths: Possesses compact frame that is able to endure an NFL workload….Recorded 24 rushing touchdowns the past two seasons for the Cyclones and averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his career…..Consistently shows the ability to maintain balance through contact; rarely goes down on first contact…..Squatty frame presents a more narrow target zone for defenders when trying to square up and tackle him…..Durable prospect, played in 37 of a possible 38 games during his collegiate career….Vision is superb; blends sharp vision and instincts to create cutback lanes against defenders in traffic……Very reliable in pass protection and able to recognize and pick up oncoming blitzes…..Dependable ball carrier with only three fumbles during his career.
Montgomery takes the handoff to the right side and immediately, his vision takes over. Love the way he plants the foot into ground on his cutbacks. His ability to effectively move laterally makes this a huge gain. pic.twitter.com/LerTH4FeCT
— Eric Robinson (@_Eric_Robinson) March 6, 2019
Weaknesses: Does not possess enough speed to pull away from defenders; will not win many foot races at the next level…..Burst in open space is not ideal…..Heavy workload in college with almost 700 career touches can lead to a cause of concern in terms of his NFL longevity; teams will be weary of his long-term expectations…..Has production as a receiver but cannot be depended on in that department…..Elusiveness is a significant question mark; does not display the ability to be agile against defenders.
Conclusion: Montgomery’s game has an old school feel to it. He can be classified as a bruiser thanks to his physical run style and teams will look to incorporate Montgomery as a high-volume running back at the next level.
Montgomery has value and if a team is willing to take a shot on him during Day Two, they may be walking away with a cornerstone in the run game. But you also wondering what the ceiling is for Montgomery with a very heavy workload while at Iowa State.
Next. More 2019 Scouting Reports. dark
The running back class is not that ideal which allows Montgomery to stand out amongst others. Montgomery is a very safe pick for a team and if an offense wants to rely on it’s run game, Montgomery can be a very good option to help elevate the run element.