Anyone think this Meggett type player is worth a 3rd rounder to fix our return game?
Darren Sproles 5-5, 185 4.50 Kansas State
From ESPNINSIDER:
RB | (5'6", 187, 4.49) | KANSAS STATE
Scouts Grade: 71
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position
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Career Totals Rushing Receiving
SEASON ATT YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD
2004 244 1318 5.4 11 32 223 7.0 0
2003 306 1986 6.5 16 25 287 11.5 2
2002 237 1465 6.2 17 9 99 11.0 0
2001 28 217 7.8 1 0 0 0.0 0
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Strengths: Is an experienced, proven, durable and versatile back. Has exceptional quickness and COD skills. He is a shifty runner that does a nice job of getting lost behind his offensive line. He has terrific vision, good burst to the hole, and does a nice job of cutting back against the grain. Shows very good body control and smooth hips. Will make a lot of defenders miss in space. Is a tough back for his size. Will break some arm tackles and does a good job of keeping his legs moving. He has a good feel as a route runner and reliable hands. Is a weapon in the passing game because of his receiving and open-field running skills. He also has NFL potential as a punt returner.
Weaknesses: Lacks NFL size. Is short and lacks bulk. He lacks power as a runner and he won't break enough tackles. Goes down too easily. He simply lacks the size and power of an every-down back in the NFL and he may never be more than a third down back and return specialist at the next level. Can be overwhelmed at the POA too often as a pass blocker.
Overall: Sproles saw time as a backup in his true freshman season in 2001 and he has been a fulltime starter since. He followed up an impressive 1,465-yard rushing campaign as a sophomore with an unprecedented 2,067 rushing yards as a junior in 2003. He also had 25 receptions for 287 yards; averaged 10 yards on 19 punt returns with a touchdown and 27.2 yards on 10 kickoff returns in 2003. As a senior in 2004, Sproles rushed for 1,318 yards and 11 TD's on 244 carries. He also chipped in for 223 yards on 32 receptions and 492 yards on 21 KOR's. Sproles is one of the quickest and most versatile running back prospects in the 2005 draft class. He shows excellent burst, elusiveness and acceleration as a runner. He is one of the most polished route runners and reliable receivers that the 2005 class has to offer at the RB position. He also shows reliable hands and explosiveness as a return specialist. Sproles' lack of size will prevent him from ever developing into a premier starting running back in the NFL. However, if his career at Kansas State wasn't enough, he more than proved at the Senior Bowl that he belongs and can contribute at the NFL level. His versatility and explosiveness will give the team that takes a chance on him an opportunity to get the ball in his hands several different ways as a runner, receiver and return man. Expect Sproles to come off the board late on Day 1 or early on Day 2 and to give his future employer Dave Meggett-type production.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.
Darren Sproles 5-5, 185 4.50 Kansas State
From ESPNINSIDER:
RB | (5'6", 187, 4.49) | KANSAS STATE
Scouts Grade: 71
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position
View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Career Totals Rushing Receiving
SEASON ATT YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD
2004 244 1318 5.4 11 32 223 7.0 0
2003 306 1986 6.5 16 25 287 11.5 2
2002 237 1465 6.2 17 9 99 11.0 0
2001 28 217 7.8 1 0 0 0.0 0
· View full player card
Strengths: Is an experienced, proven, durable and versatile back. Has exceptional quickness and COD skills. He is a shifty runner that does a nice job of getting lost behind his offensive line. He has terrific vision, good burst to the hole, and does a nice job of cutting back against the grain. Shows very good body control and smooth hips. Will make a lot of defenders miss in space. Is a tough back for his size. Will break some arm tackles and does a good job of keeping his legs moving. He has a good feel as a route runner and reliable hands. Is a weapon in the passing game because of his receiving and open-field running skills. He also has NFL potential as a punt returner.
Weaknesses: Lacks NFL size. Is short and lacks bulk. He lacks power as a runner and he won't break enough tackles. Goes down too easily. He simply lacks the size and power of an every-down back in the NFL and he may never be more than a third down back and return specialist at the next level. Can be overwhelmed at the POA too often as a pass blocker.
Overall: Sproles saw time as a backup in his true freshman season in 2001 and he has been a fulltime starter since. He followed up an impressive 1,465-yard rushing campaign as a sophomore with an unprecedented 2,067 rushing yards as a junior in 2003. He also had 25 receptions for 287 yards; averaged 10 yards on 19 punt returns with a touchdown and 27.2 yards on 10 kickoff returns in 2003. As a senior in 2004, Sproles rushed for 1,318 yards and 11 TD's on 244 carries. He also chipped in for 223 yards on 32 receptions and 492 yards on 21 KOR's. Sproles is one of the quickest and most versatile running back prospects in the 2005 draft class. He shows excellent burst, elusiveness and acceleration as a runner. He is one of the most polished route runners and reliable receivers that the 2005 class has to offer at the RB position. He also shows reliable hands and explosiveness as a return specialist. Sproles' lack of size will prevent him from ever developing into a premier starting running back in the NFL. However, if his career at Kansas State wasn't enough, he more than proved at the Senior Bowl that he belongs and can contribute at the NFL level. His versatility and explosiveness will give the team that takes a chance on him an opportunity to get the ball in his hands several different ways as a runner, receiver and return man. Expect Sproles to come off the board late on Day 1 or early on Day 2 and to give his future employer Dave Meggett-type production.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.
