Dynasty: Javon Leake - RB Maryland (the other one) (1 Viewer)

Another sprinter, Leake was the backup to the dynamic Anthony McFarland who could sneak onto the second day. But Leake is a true home run hitter too. He averaged 9.9 yards per carry in 2018 on 34 rushes then ran at a 7.2 yards-per-carry clip in 2019 on 102 attempts and scored eight times in 2019. Also, he had three kick-return touchdowns in his carry and averaged 26.8 yards per return this past season. At 6-0 and 206 pounds, Leake doesn't have the classic burner size but destroys pursuit angles with the ball in his hands.

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Maryland junior RB Javon Leake declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Leake (6'0/206) has been a big play waiting to happen throughout his Maryland career, averaging 7.9 YPC during his three years with the program. The speedster is an adept special teams weapon, too, having just been named Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year after racking up 799 yards (26.6 yards per return) this fall. While Leake is somewhat off the draft radar at this juncture, we would not be surprised if he found his share of fans over the coming months as he works to try to gain a foothold told a Day 3 selection. On the Maryland side of things, the Terps have now lost their top two backs, as Anthony McFarland threw his hat into the draft ring on Tuesday.

SOURCE: Javon Leake on Twitter

Dec 4, 2019, 2:58 PM ET

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inyoutees said:

I can't speak to his accuracy and I haven't watched either myself, but I found it interesting that NFL's Lance Zierlein had Leake (who was completely off my radar) graded at 6.3 ("talent to become dependable starter within the first couple of seasons") and McFarland graded at 5.53 ("could land at the back-end of a roster or on a practice squad... will always be fighting for a roster spot")

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NFL Media's Lance Zierlein compared Maryland RB Javon Leake to 49ers RB Tevin Coleman.

Leake (6'0/215) earned his invite to the NFL Scouting Combine by averaging a robust 7.2 YPC over 102 carries in 2019 and ranking third in the FBS with 804 kick return yards, scoring twice. He showed a penchant for creating chunk plays but isn't built for inside running duty. Zierlein writes "He's a bonafide playmaker with low mileage on the odometer and might be coveted by teams looking for an injection of life into their running game." Leake's return ability will undoubtedly get him some looks from NFL scouts, but they may sour on him after the sub-par 4.65 40-yard dash and 34 inch vertical jump he posted at the NFL Scouting Combine. Leake can be considered a Day 3/UDFA draft prospect.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Mar 17, 2020, 2:54 PM ET

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Bleacher Report's Matt Miller writes that Maryland RB Javon Leake possesses "the tools to be a surprise starter as a Day 3 pick from this year's class."

"Leake didn't test particularly well, but turn on his game film and you see a punishing runner with off-tackle speed with a penchant for big plays," Miller writes of the 6-foot, 15-pound Leake. On the testing front, the Maryland back managed just 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Concluded the analyst, "He needs to clean up some fumbling issues, and he hasn't produced in the passing game, but the athleticism is there for him to become a better contributor." NFL Media's Lance Zierlein comps Leake to Tevin Coleman.

SOURCE: Bleacher Report

Mar 28, 2020, 3:42 PM ET

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Faust said:

Miller writes of the 6-foot, 15-pound Leake.

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Giants signed Maryland RB Javon Leake. 

Leake (6'0/215) inexplicably declared for the NFL draft early despite handling only 146 carries in his three-year career. He shared Maryland's backfield with fellow NFL prospect Anthony McFarland, recording double-digit offensive touches in only 3-of-32 career games. PFF did chart Leake exploding for 10-plus yards on 17.8 percent of his career carries, mounting an impressive 32 broken tackles on 155 career touches along the way. His five fumbles (once every 28.6 offensive touches) won't cut it at the next level. A big-play back for all the reasons listed in college, it's odd Leake didn't test as such (4.65 40, 1.62 10-yard split) at the Combine. Consider him a boom-or-bust option with special teams value stemming from his three returns for touchdowns in college.

SOURCE: Jordan Raanan on Twitter 

Apr 25, 2020, 7:43 PM ET

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