Indy is ecstatic to get this guy in the third round. The pick is in, Indy selects
Alvin Kamara RB - Tennessee
Pff
Name: Alvin Kamara
School: Tennessee
Position fit: Running back
Stats to know: Tied with Dalvin Cook for the highest elusive rating in the 2017 RB draft class. Forced 23 missed tackles on just 40 receptions, the highest rate in the draft class.
What he does best:
- Shifty runner, one of the better runners laterally in the draft class.
- Slips off tackles with ease.
- Strings together moves in the open field.
- Gets skinny through tight gaps very well.
- Was able to produce behind a bad offensive line that featured below-average run-blocking grades by all nine linemen with at least 30 run-blocking snaps.
- One of the best running backs after the catch coming out of the backfield in the draft class. Ranked third with 2.4 yards per route run.
- Forced 90 missed tackles on 284 touches over last two years, a strong rate of one every 3.2 touches.
Biggest concerns:
- Not overly powerful as a runner, won’t move piles often at his current weight.
- Did not have a big workload. Carried the ball 15-plus times in a game just five times in two years. 14 games with fewer than 10 carries. Can also be viewed as a positive.
- Not a lot of experience in pass pro with his utilization as a receiver, stayed in on less than 25 percent of passing plays.
- Allowed seven pressures on 93 snaps in pass protection.
Bottom line: Unlike the other top running backs in the draft class, Kamara doesn’t have nearly as much volume of production due to splitting playing time and a knee injury. When Kamara was given the ball though, he was nothing short of electric. He excels at making defenders miss, both in the open field and in tight spaces. He sets up downfield blocks and sees downfield cutback lanes, and shows the ability to actually make those cuts athletically. He had to deal with a poor offensive line to make the most out of what he had, and was still very productive as a runner. As a receiver, Kamara is excellent after the catch and still stands out in a strong class of receiving running backs. While he isn’t great at pass protection, at the very least he could step in immediately as a receiving back and make a significant contribution, but is also capable of being a No. 1 back right away as long as he can handle the increased workload.
NFL.com
OVERVIEW
One of the top high school running backs in the country as a high school senior, Kamara went to Alabama to be the next big thing. A preseason knee injury forced him to redshirt, however. He was also suspended for the Sugar Bowl and not on the sideline for the team's game against LSU for "behavioral reasons." Kamara left Alabama in January, but found trouble again a month later in his hometown (Norcross, GA) with a traffic arrest. He suited up for Hutchinson Community College in 2014, winning conference offensive player of the year (1,211 yards, 21 TD). Given a second chance in the SEC by Tennessee, Kamara averaged 6.5 yards per carry as a reserve in 2015 (107-698, 7 TD; 34-291, TD receiving). He was impressive again as a junior, running for 596 yards and nine scores on only 103 carries (40-392, 4 TD receiving), though he missed time with a sprained left knee (LCL, meniscus).
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Spirited runner with NFL size and speed. Will open creases by varying pace of his runs. Burst to top speed is available at flip of a switch. Creates yardage with speed, wiggle and power. Twitchy and decisive. Strong lower body provides superior balance. Flexible and agile with ability to twist, spin and ricochet off of bodies and continue to gain yards after contact. Very productive; 23 touchdowns in just 284 touches at Tennessee. Well-liked inside program and a team leader. Can play on all three downs. Improved in pass protection and squares up blitzers. Has lined up at slot receiver at times. Sure-handed pass catcher with excellent burst out of breaks to consistently uncover. Has talent as punt returner.
WEAKNESSES
Vision can be hit or miss. Not an instinctive runner. Needs to see running lane develop and is missing a feel for reading progressions of his blocks. Makes inconsistent decisions on stretch plays. Can be his own worst enemy on third level. Will run himself into a tackler rather than setting him up for a downfield blocker. Consistently cuts left when given an open-field choice against tackler. With knee injuries in his background, combine medicals could come into play. Needs to tuck ball high and tight to prevent fumbles.
NFL COMPARISON
Thomas Jones
BOTTOM LINE
Ascending, competitive runner who has flashed explosive NFL talent at various times over the last two seasons. A committed runner with excellent balance who finds yardage that isn't blocked for him. While he has never logged 20 carries in a single game, he has the talent to play on all three downs if he can prove his durability.
After starting his career at Alabama and transferring to a junior college, Kamara finally got the opportunity to showcase the talents that made him one of the top high school Running Backs in the country when he came to Tennessee. Kamara was never the feature back in Knoxville. Tennessee's offense featured Jalen Hurd in 2015 and a portion of 2016. On top of that, Tennessee's offense runs heavy read-option, where mobile quarterback took a lot of carries.
Despite playing behind Hurd, Kamara made a major impact, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns in 2015, and averaged 5.79 yards per carry and scored nine times this past season. Kamara is incredibly talented. He's quick out of the backfield. Once he's at the line of scrimmage, he can turn on the jets and accelerate. He's shifty, strong and can evade defenders. Best of all, he's got a great change of direction. He can plant, cut, and then reaccelerate, unlike many backs coming out, who have trouble getting moving again.
In the passing game, he's used all over the field. He can line up in the slot or be a receiver out of the backfield. He shows willingness and talent as a pass blocker.
Sometimes his explosiveness can get him into trouble. He needs to develop more patience when he's running. Sometimes he can find and hit the holes, but other times, he runs into piles and bodies before something can develop, or even miss something that is developing elsewhere. Much of this though, can be fixed by seeing more in-game action. As mentioned, he was never the starter for a full season, so more reps and gameplay can help in this aspect.
There's a lot to be excited about with Kamara. He has everything a team could want out of a 3 down running back. Plus, as a huge bonus, he has light tread on the tires (only 210 carries and 74 receptions the past two years). He has vision/patience problems, but as mentioned, these are things that could be fixed over time with more reps. He has suffered some injuries to his knees, but recent success of NFL players have shown they can be fixed as long as they are not super severe/career threatening.
He's established himself firmly as a Day 2 pick in the draft, and would likely be competing for late first round if he saw more on field action and had greater statistical success during his career.
NFL Comparison: Paul Perkins (New York Giants)
Strengths
- Quickness, Acceleration, Speed
- Change of direction
- Receiving Ability
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent Vision
- Lacks patience as a runner