Marcus Lattimore

Big, bruising running backs are becoming a thing of the past. Current NFL teams seem enamored with small, quick backs who can double as receivers.  If Marcus Lattimore came around 20 years ago, teams would be drooling over the rights to draft him.  He is big, really big, weighing in around 230lbs, and carries it extremely well.  He is powerful, extremely powerful, and breaks tackles left and right using that power.  He has excellent vision and hits the hole with gusto.  When Marcus decides its time to go, there is no hesitation in his movements.  A common issue with big backs is the they all lack speed, with times around 4.6 in the 40.  Lattimore is expected to run a 4.55 at worst, with some estimates claiming a 4.5 flat and faster is attainable.  He also has unusually good agility for such a large back.  His ability to change direction is something special on a RB this size and will be a valuable asset in the NFL.  Being a 3 down back is becoming a lost art in the NFL, and Lattimore is more than capable of being one.  48 receptions and 600 yards over 18 games highlight the great receiver Lattimore has become, and will only continue to improve and put up numbers with Connor Shaw checking down to him.  The ability to pass protect is another notch in Lattimore's belt and will be a big asset in the NFL as more and more running backs are being asked to function as a pass protector.  This was already mentioned, but Lattimore is excellent at breaking tackles, and when he reaches the secondary defenders scatter.  Although he posses very good agility, Lattimore is going to run over defenders, and this will serve him well in the NFL as more and more DBs focus on coverage and ball skills while neglecting tackling.  Lattimore has all the looks of a dominating college RB and a feature back in the NFL.

Of course everything has drawbacks, and with Marcus its a big one-Injuries.  A season ending knee injury in 2011 sidelined what was becoming another monster year.  Torn ligaments and cartilage damage are not damning injuries, but they do have a lengthy recover time and can the player can have trouble returning to his previous form.  There is always a risk when taking a player that has suffered a major injury like this, but this is also the only glaring problem with Lattimore.  A criticism of Lattimore may be that he does not have elite break away speed-but who does at 230lbs+ not named Vernon Davis? Along that same line, he is not an elusive back, but doesn't need to be-it is much more effective trucking someone as opposed to dipsy-doing around them.

Marcus Lattimore has the look of a star running back in the NFL.  He has tremendous size, great power, and unlike Adrian Peterson, doesn't fumble.  His ability to be a receiver as well as a blocker means he is a 3 down back.  The biggest question about Lattimore is durability-specifically if he can return from his knee injury as the dominant RB he once was.  Lattimore looks to be a top 10 pick if he stays healthy and returns to form; the other end of the spectrum is a 3-5th round pick if questions arise about his health.  The team that drafts him isn't looking down the road, he is already a game changer and will continue to improve in the mental aspects of the game, but physically is near his max.

RATINGS
SPEED: B
AGILITY: B
POWER: A
CARRY: A-
HANDS: B+
BLOCKING: B+
VISION: A-
DURABILITY: B?
POTENTIAL: B+
OVERALL: A-