As you should know by now, our attention has now shifted to the 2016 NFL Draft as it relates to the prospects. From now until the draft takes place, we hope to profile as many draft prospects as we possibly can for you. Most of these player profiles will be centered around prospects the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have interest in.
Let’s look at running back Paul Perkins.
#24 – Paul Perkins/RB UCLA: 5-11, 210
The Good
– Can make defenders miss in a phone booth
– Balance to stay upright despite crowded foot space
– Excellent vision to find creases
– Footwork to slightly alter course after seeing fold in defense
– Patient waiting for blitzers to declare
– Powerful lower body to drive forward
– Almost never goes down on first contact
– Highlight reel runner
– Experience receiving, but limited to flare/stop/wheel routes
The Bad
– Doesn’t commit fully to getting north/south even when the play has obviously broken down
– Lacks top-end speed, finishing burst downfield
– Ankles don’t quite have the adequate flexibility to turn the edge
– Fails to target center mass when pass blocking, no explosion into defender.