The writers of Patriots Football Weekly have done their homework on all the prospects in this year's NFL Draft. Now, you can download the actual notes they took on all the top players, broken down by position for your convenience. Today, they offer their notes on the running backs.
* - indicates underclassman
RUNNING BACKS
1 | Ezekiel Elliott*, Ohio State
HEIGHT: 6-2 | WEIGHT: 225 | 40: 4.47
Andy Hart: Quick, decisive cuts. Good power. Breaks away. Two years of great production. Gets up field. Good feet. Best back in the class by far.
Paul Perillo: Strong and fast; Shows toughness between tackles; HR hitter; Solid.
2 | Derrick Henry*, Alabama
HEIGHT: 6-3 | WEIGHT: 247 | 40: 4.54
Andy Hart: Production is obvious. But ton of carries are a concern. Biggest physical question is quickness. Good vision and straight speed. Power is obvious, even when running high. NFL upside?
Paul Perillo: Tremendous production; Heavy workload; Can be slow getting to hole; Has good speed but isn't quick; Great job of finding daylight once he gets going.
3 | Kenneth Dixon*, Louisiana Tech
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 215 | 40: 4.56
Andy Hart: 3 1,000 yard seasons with 800-plus career carries. Great production. Plays fast. Can lower shoulder. Plays violent and with an edge. Full-speed wiggle. Lots to like. Lots.
Paul Perillo: Productive and versatile; Moves the pile despite his size; Runs angry; Cuts quickly; Solid.
4 | Jordan Howard*, Indiana
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 230 | 40: 4.57
Andy Hart: NFL lead back size. Shifty. Jump cuts. Gets low. Solid finisher. Lacks elite speed. LIkes to be the hammer.
Paul Perillo: Squirts through holes; Bounces off tackles; Finds gaps; Can catch the ball; Solid all around.
5 | C.J. Prosise*, Notre Dame
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 220 | 40: 4.48
Andy Hart: Former WR with really only one RB year. Obviously can catch. Versatile. Good vision. Runs too upright. Five fumbles last year. Upside but will need to develop.
Paul Perillo: Scrappy; Good size; Great hands; Worth developing.
THE REST
Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 220 | 40: 4.63
Andy Hart: Missed 2015 with a foot injury. Decent body control. Shared load with Collins. Not overly fast. Breaks arm tackles. Keeps moving.
Paul Perillo: Good not great speed; moves pile; Strong runner; Good feet and vision; Hits hole hard.
Alex Collins*, Arkansas
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 217 | 40: 4.59
Andy Hart:3 straight 1,000-yard seasons. Likes contact. Quick feet. Stutter cuts. 16 career fumbles is a major concern. Too much pitter patter at times. Good but not elite speed. Needs to get lower at contact.
Paul Perillo: Good speed and will run between tackles but ack breakaway speed; Fine line between patience and indecisveness at times; Ball security issues
Kenyan Drake, Alabama
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 210 | 40: 4.45
Andy Hart: Obvious versatility. Can run and catch. Jack of all trades. Role? Good size/speed combo. Hits hole. Athlete more than pure RB or WR or anything else.
Paul Perillo: Looks like more of a receiver; lines up wide at times; Good hands and shows toughness; Runs with good lean; Breaks tackles.
Devontae Booker, Utah
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 219 | 40: 4.56
Andy Hart: Knee injury late last season. Doesn't play overly fast. Lot of jump cuts. Captain. Seems to find the hole. Good vision. Left-handed ball carrier.
Paul Perillo: Bounces everything wide; Gets small in hole; Shows good vision and finds daylight.
DeAndre Washington, Texas Tech
HEIGHT: 5-8 | WEIGHT: 204 | 40: 4.49
Andy Hart: Very good career production, rushing and catching. Good wiggle and slips tackles. Undersize lead back? Late value? More than functional fast.
Paul Perillo: Small but real quick feet; Runds tough; Nice patience; Nose for the end zone; HR hitter; Reminds me of K. Faulk.
Tyler Ervin, San Jose State
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 192 | 40: 4.41
Andy Hart: Breakout 5th year. KOR and PR. CAtches. Passing back. Fast with burst. 1-cut. Upside.
Paul Perillo:Quick and fast; Smooth route runner; Good hands and is a willing blocker; Ret ability; Solid.
Paul Perkins*, UCLA
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 208 | 40: 4.54
Andy Hart: Very good production. Can catch the ball a little. Slasher, Note as quick as he should be. Committee guy
Paul Perillo: Good receiver; elusive; Shows good strength; Solid complementary piece.
Storm Barrs-Woods, Oregon State
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 213 | 40: 4.71
Andy Hart: Catches and runs. Versatile. Runs low with lean. Not very fast. Decent vision. OK feet. Not much power.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Brandon Wilds, South Carolina
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 220 | 40: 4.54
Andy Hart:Very confident athlete. Production never matched talent. Very good runner. Well rounded.Not elite speed or quickness. Slows on contact.
Paul Perillo:No Comments.
Aaron Green, TCU
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 203 | 40: 4.53
Andy Hart: Probably a passing back. LInes up in slot and returner. Shifty and quick but not elite speed. Video game runner but goes down pretty easy.
Paul Perillo: Small and real quick; Ret ability; Finds open field; Productive scat back type.
Kelvin Taylor*, Florida
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 207 | 40: 4.6
Andy Hart: Can cut. Well-round package but nothing elite about his game. Patient and keeps feet moving. seems like backup type, like Brandon Bolden.
Paul Perillo: Breaks tackles; Quick feet; Runs hard and falls forward; Not bad.
Wendell Smallwood*, West Virginia
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 208 | 40: 4.47
Andy Hart: Passing back. breakout year. Playmaker with burst and speed. Makes moves moving forward. Best in space.
Paul Perillo: Quick feet; Good speed; Great hands; Breaks tackles and can make you miss.
Josh Ferguson, Illinois
HEIGHT: 5-9 | WEIGHT: 198 | 40: 4.48
Andy Hart: Passing back. Lots of catches. Doesn't break many tackles. Plays at top speed a lot. Good vision.
Paul Perillo:Scat back type; Finds space; Quick and fast; Elusive in open field; Definite passing back with good hands.
Daniel Lasco, California
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 209 | 40: 4.46
Andy Hart: Opened eyes with strong Combine. Injuries as SR limited production. Not as quick as you'd think. Lowers pads on contact. Solid frame. Jumps too much. Looks like backup to me.
Paul Perillo: Not overly fast or quick; Good hands; Runs with toughness/moves pile; Played in spead.
Marteze Waller, Fresno State
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 214 | 40: 4.59
Andy Hart: Runs and catches. But lacks elite speed. Little wiggle and keeps feet moving. But nothing stands out as elite. College RB who may not transition.
Paul Perillo: Tough plodder; Not explosive; Moves pile; Good hands
Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State
HEIGHT: 5-8 | WEIGHT: 205 | 40: 4.53
Andy Hart: Very good production at a lower level. Good vision. Not elite speed or quickness. Cuts on the run. Hits it and finishes.
Paul Perillo: Good speed; Small and elusive; Quick cuts; Breakaway speed at I-AA level.
Peyton Barber*, Auburn
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 228 | 40: 4.64
Andy Hart: 1YR of production. Came out for homeless mom. Not a big play guy. Reminds me of Ridley. Not much wear. Backup lead back.
Paul Perillo: Solid college RB with just 1 year of wear and tear; Worth a late-round flier.
Tre Madden, USC
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 223 | 40: 4.53
Andy Hart: Lots of injuries. Looks the part. Former LB. Functional fast. Can catch. Not much wiggle. Flier guy?
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Keenan Reynolds, Navy
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 191 | 40: 4.56
Andy Hart: Wishbone QB. 88 Tds and 32 career fumbles. Nearly 1,000 carries. Only OK quickness and speed. Conversion project. Elite production not matched by skills.
Paul Perillo: More of a winner than a great athlete; Ran wishbone extremely well; Not sure he has athleticism to become a great RB.
Jordan Canzeri, Iowa
HEIGHT: 5-9 | WEIGHT: 192 | 40: 4.59
Andy Hart: Undersized, but not a passing back. Not a ton of production. Follows blocks and doesn't hesitate. But not explosive in any way. College guy.
Paul Perillo: Quick feet; Bounces wide too much; Small but not explosive.
Travis Greene, Bowling Green
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 192 | 40: 4.52
Andy Hart: Passing back. Skinny. Good speed. Elusive. Makes defenders look downright silly at times. Upside as a playmaker.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Jacobi Green, Richmond
HEIGHT: 5-9 | WEIGHT: 196 | 40: 4.64
Andy Hart: Breakout SR year. Good balance. Keeps feet. Lowers pads on contact. Undersized. Breaks some tackles. Not as quick as seems like should be.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Devon Johnson, Marshall
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 238 | 40: 4.61
Andy Hart: Big. Former TE and LB. Thick and plays like a truck. Not a natural athlete, in the traditional sense. H-back. Load. SPT?
Paul Perillo:Huge and slow; Tremendous production; Not an NFL RB but could help on SpT.
Tra Carson, Texas A&M
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 227 | 40: 4.63
Andy Hart: Not overly quick or fast. Thick. doesn't always churn legs, but still tough to get down. Not a guy who'll make sharp cuts.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Kenneth Farrow, Houston
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 220 | 40: 4.64
Andy Hart: Well built. Productive as a runner and a receiver. LIttle upright, but solid. Only average speed and quickness. Nothing special here.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Dwayne Washington*, Washington
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 221 | 40: 4.53
Andy Hart: Former WR. Kind of looks like WR playing RB. Decisive. Long strides. Not much wiggle. KOR.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Paul James, Rutgers
HEIGHT:6-0 | WEIGHT: 206 | 40: 4.73
Andy Hart: Not quick or shifty. Slow cuts. Runs like a FB or bigger back. Doesn't lower pads. Not a fan.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Zac Brooks*, Clemson
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 200 | 40: 4.54
Andy Hart: No Comments.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Keith Marshall*, Georgia
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 219 | 40: 4.31
Andy Hart: Combine speed star. Lots of injuries. Not elite onfield burst. Doesn't play 4.3. Smooth speed, though. Nice stiff arm.
Paul Perillo: No Comments.
Fullbacks
1 | Glenn Gronkowski*, Kansas State
HEIGHT: 6-2 | WEIGHT: 238 | 40: 4.78
2 | Dan Vitale, Northwestern
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 240 | 40: 4.76
3 | Derek Watt, Wisconsin
HEIGHT: 6-2 | WEIGHT: 234 | 40: 4.78
4 | Dakota Gordon, San Diego State
HEIGHT: 5-10 | WEIGHT: 235 | 40: 4.87
5 | Soma Valnuku, USC
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 249 | 40: 4.83
The Rest
Chris Swain, Navy
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 247 | 40: 4.89
Andy Janovich, Nebraska
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 230 | 40: 4.89
Quayvon Hicks, Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 251 | 40: 4.82
Patrick Skov, Georgia Tech
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 227 | 40: 4.94
Trevon Pendleton, Michigan State
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 250 | 40: 4.93
Joe Kerridge, Michigan
HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 249 | 40: 4.86
Traylon Durham, Kent State
HEIGHT: 6-1 | WEIGHT: 247 | 40: N/A
Draft Rankings By Position:
