2020 NFL Draft: Florida RB Lamical Perine scouting report

The 2020 NFL Draft has many intriguing running back prospects. Assessing Lamical Perine’s 2020 NFL Draft value and where fans could expect him to go.

The 2020 NFL Draft has some intriguing running backs that could be values at the back end of the draft. Florida’s Lamical Perine is a tricky prospect to figure out.

Heading into the 2019 season I took a deep dive into Perine’s game and came away very impressed. There were high expectations for him, however, he didn’t come anywhere near them.

In 2018 Perine finished with 826 rushing yards with 134 carries. With such an impressive year everyone believed he would eclipse the 1,000-yard mark but he didn’t come close. Perine carried the ball 132 times in 2019 with just 676 yards rushing. With two less carries Perine came 150 yards short of last year’s total yardage.

To asses the issue I decided to watch game film of his 2019 season and really figure out what the issue was. Perine still had the same traits I fell in love with last year, but the problem was identified right away. The Gators’ run blocking had a bunch of issues and there was really nowhere he could run the football at times.

I was getting painful flashbacks of watching Le’Veon Bell try and navigate behind the Jets’ awful offensive line.

Something was definitely different about Perine’s game, however, as he was used a lot more in the passing game catching 40 passes for 262 yards and five touchdowns. Heading into the 2019 season I wanted to see him be utilized more in the passing game. Perine does not shy away from contact, in fact at times it seems like he seeks contact. His vision is phenomenal which is a big reason why I am still a believer in him. Perine’s combination of balance and power is exceptional as he takes a hit its as if he’s bouncing off the defenders.

Perine is not the fastest nor quickest running back, but that’s not his game. He has shown the ability to break a big play as he did against Auburn with his 88-yard touchdown run. He’s the type of back that gets better as the game gets going. Gator fans can attest to his “clutchness” as it seemed whenever Florida needed a play Perine came through with a big run.

The biggest thing that will impress NFL teams is his ball security. In 493 career carries Perine has only lost two fumbles. In a game where every possession counts its crucial to hold onto the ball. We’ve seen guys like Seattle’s Chris Carson lose value over his fumbling issues.

After watching a chunk of Perine’s 2019 film my assessment is he still has the same amount of potential he displayed in his 2018 season. The problems up front in the run blocking were a huge part of his statistical regression. He still showed plus vision and balance that could translate to the NFL.

The 2020 NFL Draft process will be an important one for Perine starting with the Senior Bowl. He accepted the invitation and I’m looking forward to watching him raise his stock. What he does in practice leading up to the game is just as important.

With everything taken into consideration, I have a fourth-round grade on the Florida running back. A team could select Perine with the thought of pairing him with another established back.