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Stampede Blue's Matt Grecco wrote up some great scouting reports on player prospects that the Indianapolis Colts should consider for the 2013 NFL Draft. We're re-examining them in this series.
We've identified running back as a need for the Colts in the 2013 NFL Draft. Here are some backs we think the Colts should target:
Jawan Jamison, Rutgers
Matt Grecco's Scouting Report:
He is a bit undersized (5'7", 203 lbs), which means he has little chance to be an every down back, but there aren't many of those left in the NFL anyway. He can make guys miss in the open field, but he'll have to run behind an Offensive Line that can create holes for him, as he isn't the bruising type of RB.
Projection: 4th or 5th round
Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State
Matt Grecco's Scouting Report:
Bell is a tough, bruising back that is rarely taken down on first contact, and eats up yards after contact. According to STATS, Inc., Bell had 922 yards after contact, best in the NCAA. He's the kind of back (and I know this from experience watching him) that will get you the four yards when you need four, or one yard if you need one yard. He does have his limitations, however, in that he usually hits the hole and goes straight, sometimes missing cutback lanes. He also isn't the greatest receiver out the backfield (despite about 3 catches per game last season).
Projection: 2nd-4th round
Kenjon Barner, Oregon
Matt Grecco's Scouting Report:
Barner underwhelmed at the Combine with a 4.52 40, but rebounded during his Pro Day with a 4.38. You don't need a 40 time to see how explosive and quick Barner can be, though. His size is a concern, and it could ultimately be what causes him to slide in April, but I think his oozing talent will cause teams to overlook any physical doubts.
Barner is by no means an inside runner. His lower body does not possess the strength to power through the middle of defenses at the next level, and he can sometimes cost himself yards by cutting outside too quickly, instead of following open lanes.
Projection: 4th or 5th round
Michael Ford, LSU
Matt Grecco's Scouting Report:
Needing to do everything he could to catch the eyes of NFL scouts, Ford had to put up some impressive stats during the combine, and he did just that. Competing against some of the best college running backs, Ford ran the 5th fastest 40 time (4.50) with the 3rd best 10 yard split (1.51), an imposing 5th best 25 bench reps, and also a top-performing vertical jump (38.5 in) and broad jump (130.0 in). At 5'10" and 210 lbs, he's not the largest of the draftable backs, but he has proven to have a lot of strength and fantastic bursts of speed.
Projection: 4th-6th round
Ray Graham, Pittsburgh
Matt Grecco's Scouting Report:
Graham spent his first two seasons playing second fiddle to Dion Lewis, who was a 5th round pick for the Eagles back in 2011, and hasn't really gotten on the field much. Graham and Lewis essentially split carries back in 2010, as it was becoming clear Graham was clearly the better back of the two (6.2 YPC vs. 4.8 YPC), although a large chunk of those yards came against FIU (277 rush yards). He was on his way to sensational season in 2011 before it was cut short by the aforementioned ACL injury in their 8th game. In fact, he was just slightly behind pace of the legendary Tony Dorsett Heisman season of 1976. It was a huge blow, to say the least.
Projection: 4th-6th round