2020 NFL Draft scouting report: TCU RB Darius Anderson

In this scouting report, we’ll be assessing one of the most slept on running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft, TCU’s Darius “Jet” Anderson.

There are some talented and intriguing running backs in this class that won’t hear their names called early in the 2020 NFL Draft, but could still make an immediate impact for their new team. Darius “Jet” Anderson is projected to go anywhere from late Day 2 to early Day 3 in the 2020 NFL Draft, yet he can make a huge impact right away.

Overview

Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 212 pounds
School: TCU

2019 stats: 151 carries, 823 yards, 5.5 AVG, 6 TDs
22 rec, 128 yards
14 kick returns, 309 yards, 22.1 AVG

Those numbers won’t blow anyone away, but that’s part of the reason why he’ll be available later on in the 2020 NFL Draft. He can help out in the passing game as well as the return game. If Anderson can average 5.5 yards per carry in the NFL he can make for a nice complimentary back that can fill in when the bell cow needs a rest.

Film Review

Games watched: 2019 vs Purdue, 2019 vs Oklahoma State, 2019 vs SMU, 2019 vs Kansas

Positives

There was a lot to like when watching Anderson’s tape, but the best thing was his vision. In order to make it at the next level, a running back must be able to see the field well. He locates the hole quickly and accelerates through. Speaking of acceleration that is another thing that Anderson does well. His acceleration hides his lack of breakaway speed.

Anderson isn’t the biggest running back, but he breaks through a lot of tackles. His balance is a big reason for this. It reminds me of a pinball machine as he bounces and spins off/away from contact. The fact that he has zero fumbles in his career amazes me, but we’ll get into more of that in just a second.

“Jet” won’t be a home run threat, but he is capable of getting chunk yardage. He’ll get you the occasional 15-25 yard run here or there then when nobody expects it he’ll pop off for 30-40 yards.

He’s more quick than fast in my opinion. His lateral quickness is next-level stuff which allows him to break free from the first wave of defenders. Anderson can help out as a receiver in the backfield where he displays soft hands and concentration to look the ball in and complete the catch. He could be viewed as a bit of a scatback early on.

Negatives

The first thing that I noticed was the way Anderson carries the football. Despite not having a single fumble in his career he kind of carries the ball carelessly. Sometimes it will be away from his body and other times when he makes a cut the ball will be exposed down at his hip. He can get away with this at the collegiate level, but this won’t fly in the NFL where defensive backs are taught to go after the football.

I already touched on his lack of breakaway speed, but I think that this is a reason why he’ll still be on the board on Day 3. Teams crave home run speed and Anderson isn’t that type of player. If he did possess better breakaway speed, he’d be off the board way sooner.

The biggest flaw in Anderson’s game is his inability to block. This will hurt him the most at the next level. We see top guys like Saquon Barkley struggle with this and get away with it, but Anderson just doesn’t have that kind of talent to mask it.

Summary

After watching the tape and reviewing his play style and traits I personally have a third-round grade on Darius Anderson. He does a lot of things on tape that I really like, but I do not believe he’s a three-down back. He can come in on passing plays if  he’s running a route, but he cannot be trusted as a blocker.

The best way to utilize Anderson would be on obvious running plays or if they run some 22 personnel where there are multiple backs in the formation. I just really hope he can improve as a pass blocker just enough for him to see the field more.

Out of all the running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft, Anderson is among the most intriguing. He could be yet another steal in the growing list of late-round running backs.