In today’s game, running backs have to be able to impact the passing game if they’re to be viewed as truly dynamic playmakers worthy of high draft choices. This week, we’ll watch these running backs run a series of routes at all three levels of the field. A couple of things you may notice on these routes:
Is he natural at the catch point? Does he have the ability to adjust to the throw, pull in the reception, gather himself, and transition to a runner immediately to generate positive yardage upfield?
What level of receiver is he? Is he just a checkdown option, can he work in the screen game, or can he be flexed out and run routes at a high level as if he were a receiver?
Here are the players who have a chance to shine in these drills:
Audric Estimé (Notre Dame) – A one-year starter for the Irish with a thick, stocky build, Estimé is not built like your typical pass game weapon, but on film he flashes smooth hands and looks like a natural at the catch point. He was not credited with any drops during his time in South Bend (although he only caught 26 passes in three years). Estimé is already a pretty polished pass protector for a college back, so this will be a good opportunity for him to continue to show the tools as a competent pass catcher as well.
Dylan Laube (New Hampshire) – Laube was one of the early darlings at the Senior Bowl thanks to his abilities in space, but those tools were consistently put on display in college as well. The first game I studied of Laube after his Senior Bowl acceptance in November came against Central Michigan, where he caught 12 passes for UNH. A “satellite” player who was moved all around the formation, Laube could potentially bring versatility to an NFL offense and has a projectable role in the NFL.
Marshawn Lloyd (USC) – Speaking of Senior Bowl standouts, Lloyd did just that during his time in Mobile last month too by having an impressive catch or two every day in practice. This was not necessarily something he did often for the Trojans last year (or for South Carolina in the years before that), instead improving to be a gritty, patient runner between the tackles. So this will be a good opportunity for him to build off of that performance and continue to prove he has a three-down skillset.
Will Shipley (Clemson) – While Lloyd has been more of an early-down presence during his career, one could see pretty early on that Shipley had a pass catching skill…
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