Thomas is an interesting prospect for me. He has NFL size at 6'2 228. He seems to have good patience/vision and enough wiggle and power to be productive. The negatves I hear most are "runs to tall" and lacks break away speed. I know I will get some flack for saying this, but isn't he a lot like A Foster? Let me put it another way...if he was in Foster's situation, I could easily see him as a top 15 rb. He may not be as good, but I don't see a huge gap. That said, situations as good as Foster's aren't easy to come by.
I have posted some info from CBS and DraftCountdown below, but here is my prediction.
Thomas will have a good combine, run in the high 4.5's and get drafted in the late 2nd round. He will end up getting drafted 1.06/1.07 in most rookie drafts although he could move into the top 5 if he is drafted in a one cut system (say Washington) or is drafted by a strong offensive team (say NO or NE). One way or another he will end up being a nice mid to low end rb2 within a couple of yrs.
NFLDraftScout.com -
Inside: Strong inside runner with a very good lean, always falls forward when wrapped up or chopped down. Nice spin move to come off tackles inside, pick up an extra yard or two. Presses the line and is very effective on quick-hitters. Adequate selling ball fake inside, but could lower his shoulder and play with more urgency. Combines his strength with enough elusiveness to avoid getting caught in the backfield, but is not elite in this area. Plows ahead to move the pile. Does not own exceptional vision, but more often than not will pick his way through trash inside. Secures the ball in close quarters.
Outside: Lacks breakaway speed and is a better north-south runner than east-west, but covers a lot of ground with his long strides once in the open. Also has a bit of wiggle to freeze and shoot by oncoming defenders in the open field. Keeps the ball in his right hand on most plays, needs to switch to left more consistently. Gets pitches to the outside, capable one-cut or jump-cut runner who plants and drives into the hole. Only adequate vision but can find lanes on the run when heading outside, and flashes the ability to cut back against the grain to make a big play. Usually keeps the ball high and tight, but his long arms make it easier for defenders to strip him if he holds the ball loose when trying to make a move (four fumbles, three lost in 2009; 7-4 in 2010).
Breaking tackles: Gives good effort to get through tackles whether pounding inside or running in the field. Bounces off piles or when fullback is stuffed inside, gets the corner to get extra yardage. High stepper who will run through cut and arm tackles. Strong stiff arm. Takes defensive backs for a ride when downfield. Will lose his balance when trying to make cuts or shake and bake in space. May not have enough speed to avoid NFL defenders as easily as he does against college talent.
Blocking: Could be very strong in pass protection, but will be a liability until he puts in more effort. Keeps a strong base and moves well laterally to mirror linebackers and defensive ends when focused. Likes to be physical, but too often that means he throws a shoulder into an oncoming defender, failing to sustain so his man can join the play. Gets in the quarterback's way on occasion being hesitant in protection in the pocket. Is strong on the outside against cornerbacks when lined up at receiver, but needs to give more consistent effort. Acts as fullback on delay quarterback draws, but likes to throw a shoulder instead of using his hands to move linebackers out of the hole. Rolls out with the quarterback as a personal protector; willing to hit but is too easily pushed aside by linebackers.
Receiving: Reliable receiver on screens, in the flat, and even lines up at split end. Uses his length to adjust to poor throws and hands to snatch the ball from the air outside his frame. Presents a big target for quarterbacks on screens, finds open spaces if there is traffic inside. Moves downfield to take advantage of attacking defenders when quarterback scrambles to his side. Lines up at split end on occasion, becomes a size mismatch on the outside but is inexperienced running routes at that spot and is rarely challenged at the line of scrimmage. Most routes are rounded off, must learn to run more crisp routes and sell them more emphatically.
Intangibles: Team leader despite being a JUCO transfer. Teammates appreciate his toughness, played through pain in his left shoulder most of 2009 but still led the conference in rushes. Academics were a major issue for Thomas, so scouts will be curious if he can learn complex NFL offenses
Scott Wright -
Strengths:
• Excellent height and bulk with a large, sturdy frame
• Athletic with nice agility, balance and nimble feet
• Is strong, tough, powerful and runs extremely hard
• Patient but decisive with good vision and instincts
• A classic downhill runner who excels on the interior
• Doesn't go down easily and will usually fall forward
• Gets job done in short-yardage / goal line situations
• Is more than capable as pass catcher out of backfield
• An adequate blocker with the potential to be fantastic
• Determined with good work ethic and solid intangibles
• Very productive and excelled against top competition
Weaknesses:
• Just does not have great speed, quickness or a burst
• Runs too tall and leaves himself open to punishment
• Not very shifty or elusive and won't make people miss
• Will struggle to get outside and turn corner in pros
• Is not a big play threat who will take it the distance
• Struggled in classroom and intelligence is a concern
I have posted some info from CBS and DraftCountdown below, but here is my prediction.
Thomas will have a good combine, run in the high 4.5's and get drafted in the late 2nd round. He will end up getting drafted 1.06/1.07 in most rookie drafts although he could move into the top 5 if he is drafted in a one cut system (say Washington) or is drafted by a strong offensive team (say NO or NE). One way or another he will end up being a nice mid to low end rb2 within a couple of yrs.
NFLDraftScout.com -
Inside: Strong inside runner with a very good lean, always falls forward when wrapped up or chopped down. Nice spin move to come off tackles inside, pick up an extra yard or two. Presses the line and is very effective on quick-hitters. Adequate selling ball fake inside, but could lower his shoulder and play with more urgency. Combines his strength with enough elusiveness to avoid getting caught in the backfield, but is not elite in this area. Plows ahead to move the pile. Does not own exceptional vision, but more often than not will pick his way through trash inside. Secures the ball in close quarters.
Outside: Lacks breakaway speed and is a better north-south runner than east-west, but covers a lot of ground with his long strides once in the open. Also has a bit of wiggle to freeze and shoot by oncoming defenders in the open field. Keeps the ball in his right hand on most plays, needs to switch to left more consistently. Gets pitches to the outside, capable one-cut or jump-cut runner who plants and drives into the hole. Only adequate vision but can find lanes on the run when heading outside, and flashes the ability to cut back against the grain to make a big play. Usually keeps the ball high and tight, but his long arms make it easier for defenders to strip him if he holds the ball loose when trying to make a move (four fumbles, three lost in 2009; 7-4 in 2010).
Breaking tackles: Gives good effort to get through tackles whether pounding inside or running in the field. Bounces off piles or when fullback is stuffed inside, gets the corner to get extra yardage. High stepper who will run through cut and arm tackles. Strong stiff arm. Takes defensive backs for a ride when downfield. Will lose his balance when trying to make cuts or shake and bake in space. May not have enough speed to avoid NFL defenders as easily as he does against college talent.
Blocking: Could be very strong in pass protection, but will be a liability until he puts in more effort. Keeps a strong base and moves well laterally to mirror linebackers and defensive ends when focused. Likes to be physical, but too often that means he throws a shoulder into an oncoming defender, failing to sustain so his man can join the play. Gets in the quarterback's way on occasion being hesitant in protection in the pocket. Is strong on the outside against cornerbacks when lined up at receiver, but needs to give more consistent effort. Acts as fullback on delay quarterback draws, but likes to throw a shoulder instead of using his hands to move linebackers out of the hole. Rolls out with the quarterback as a personal protector; willing to hit but is too easily pushed aside by linebackers.
Receiving: Reliable receiver on screens, in the flat, and even lines up at split end. Uses his length to adjust to poor throws and hands to snatch the ball from the air outside his frame. Presents a big target for quarterbacks on screens, finds open spaces if there is traffic inside. Moves downfield to take advantage of attacking defenders when quarterback scrambles to his side. Lines up at split end on occasion, becomes a size mismatch on the outside but is inexperienced running routes at that spot and is rarely challenged at the line of scrimmage. Most routes are rounded off, must learn to run more crisp routes and sell them more emphatically.
Intangibles: Team leader despite being a JUCO transfer. Teammates appreciate his toughness, played through pain in his left shoulder most of 2009 but still led the conference in rushes. Academics were a major issue for Thomas, so scouts will be curious if he can learn complex NFL offenses
Scott Wright -
Strengths:
• Excellent height and bulk with a large, sturdy frame
• Athletic with nice agility, balance and nimble feet
• Is strong, tough, powerful and runs extremely hard
• Patient but decisive with good vision and instincts
• A classic downhill runner who excels on the interior
• Doesn't go down easily and will usually fall forward
• Gets job done in short-yardage / goal line situations
• Is more than capable as pass catcher out of backfield
• An adequate blocker with the potential to be fantastic
• Determined with good work ethic and solid intangibles
• Very productive and excelled against top competition
Weaknesses:
• Just does not have great speed, quickness or a burst
• Runs too tall and leaves himself open to punishment
• Not very shifty or elusive and won't make people miss
• Will struggle to get outside and turn corner in pros
• Is not a big play threat who will take it the distance
• Struggled in classroom and intelligence is a concern
no fumbles in 545 touches.
Only if you could get him for the 1-2 years where Jamal was good.
no fumbles in 545 touches.
Only if you could get him for the 1-2 years where Jamal was good.
Only if you could get him for the 1-2 years where Jamal was good.
I started to do the same thing, but the work to bring facts to posters who just mouth off "views" that aren't factual gets annoying.
