STRENGTHS
Blake is a strong multi-talented running back who reminds me a lot of former Giants Joe Morris – 2nd RD 1982. Look him up, I can’t do everything for you. Blake is an every-down running back, with hidden talents not used often enough by his college team. He is strong and yet extremely shifty, and tackling him in the open field is like trying to catch Rodger Rabbit with your hands. He has quick feet, excellent vision, and balance, and can break tackles when he needs to. He is also able to jump right or left while still going forward, (at least it seems that way). Blake is excellent as a check-down receiver and has hidden talents catching the ball like a slot receiver down the field. He is very smart and understands situational football and down-and-distance situations. He is very competitive to go along with that athletic talent and high football IQ. As I stated before he is an ever-down running back and don’t believe otherwise.
CONCERNS
Teams will downgrade Blake because of the value of his position and his size. The value of this position is starting to rise based on all the Free agent Running backs signed this year. As far as his size, it’s a gift and a curse. A curse, because teams will use it as an excuse to downgrade him. A gift, because linebackers can not see him behind those big offensive linemen and have no idea where he is in the backfield to tackle him. When I look at the film, I don’t see anyone tackling him behind the line of scrimmage unless it was by mistake and they got lucky and guessed where he was. Blake will struggle to pass block because of his size but it will not be because of a lack of effort.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.13
Blake is the perfect reason why Rob and I invented the 2-board system. It’s to show you that in every round, there are potential impact players, who fall to those rounds because of not meeting the norms and standards of a position. They also fall because of team needs based on the value of a position or based on the style of offense or defense they run. Players might also fall to later rounds because there is a plethora of talent at their position. I base my Bottom line score on talent and where I might pick a player in a draft, and how quickly I think that player can impact at the next level. I do not try to tell you what round a player might actually be selected in…that’s Rob’s job. Rob and I do not interact with each other before the draft on what I might think about a player’s potential to impact or what he thinks about what round a player will be selected. Simply put, Blake is a running back who can do everything on the field effectively except maybe pass block. Look at Rob’s board for what round Blake, most likely will be selected in with an over 80% accuracy, then remember this profile after he is on the field making an impact.
