Hello and welcome to TSL’s 2014 NFL Draft Scouting Reports. We will get you prepared for the 2014 NFL Draft that will be happening in May this year not April.
To get you prepared, I decided to come up with scouting reports, which will tell you about many players in the draft that you might not even heard of. I will try to give you 100 scouting reports and who knows I might go higher than that but let’s get started with the first scouting report and that is Kent State running back Dri Archer.
First off, let me tell you about Archer. He is a redshirt senior out of Kent State. If you don’t know Kent State plays in the MAC conference. He is also has a small stature coming in at 5-foot-8 and 175 lbs but don’t let his size fool you.
Any team in the NFL could use Archer as he is a playmaker once you get the ball in his hands. From looking at game film on him, here are the positives about Archer’s game.
He is a good kick returner. We see in the NFL how field position can make a difference and Archer at any moment can take a kickoff to the endzone. When Archer is on the field, he has shifty moves almost like Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. With those shifty moves, you can lineup Archer anywhere on the field. He can lineup as a wide receiver and can especially be used in the slot.
Dri Archer also has great speed, which stood out to me when watching him play. He can go from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. As a running back, Archer can cause matchup problems for linebackers on screens and in the flat. Also as a running back, he follows his blocks well, can hit the hole, has great vision and despite his size can run in between the tackles.
Now, the only negatives I see with Archer are that his size could be a problem at the next level as a running back. We all know that players such as Darren Sproles and Dexter McCluster have been successful in the NFL but can Dri Archer follow the trend. That waits to be seen. I doubt at the next level he will be a three down running back.
His hands meaning catching the ball could be a problem. If he is used like a Darren Sproles or Dexter McCluster he will be used in the passing game very often.
Finally, talent not talking about him necessarily but the competition he went against in the MAC conference. I am a big believer in the talent that the MAC has. I personally think it is a great football conference but many others might think otherwise.
Here are his stats from this season: 68 carries, 527 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns/25 receptions, 327 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns
Here are his stats from his best season which was in 2012: 159 carries, 1,429 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns/39 receptions, 561 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns.
NFL Comparison: Darren Sproles/Dexter McCluster
NFL Draft Projection: 4th-5th round
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