STRENGTHS
Elijah has the potential and upside to be a franchise running back for the team that selects him. He has excellent strength, balance and vision. He has quick feet and the power in his legs to move chains when everyone in the stadium knows he will get the ball. Elijah has the speed to take the ball to the outside on sweeps and off tackles but he flourishes running the ball between the tackles. If you’re not prepared to wrap him up he will break tackles and make yardage and do it all game long because he has excellent mental and physical stamina. Elijah has the temperament to improve on any skills needed to be a complete running back for the team that selects him.
CONCERNS
He is a good blocker but needs to improve reading the blitz and blocking with the same aggressiveness that he runs with. I know he has the hands to catch the ball easily but he will have to prove it and there is no drill that will make teams believe it until he gets on the field and does it. This will make teams downgrade him, but for me it’s not an issue, I know he has those effortless soft hands to catch the ball out of the backfield as good as any running back in this draft.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 2.05
Elijah still has some skills to improve on but I don’t see an issue with him improving on anything and that makes me realize that this kids upside for his game is tremendous. He has those quick feet, balance and vision to take the ball outside when all is lost inside. He is smart and although he is still learning he will not struggle to learn. He is not a “juke you out of your socks”, type of back, nevertheless, if you can’t get into the backfield to stop him, he will gain the yards he needs to, as he punishes the tackler. I know Elijah can catch the ball because I’ve seen him return kicks. I know Elijah has good speed and quickness and has the quick feet and lateral agility to make players miss him because I’ve seen him used on Jet Sweeps. Elijah reminds me a lot of former Patriots/Jets, Hall of Fame RB Curtis Martin because Elijah can run inside and outside with strength and determination. Curtis was not selected until the third round and it would not shock me at all if Elijah has that long a wait also but remember, this is a talent grade so watch Rob’s board for Elijah’s name and what round he most likely will be selected in. For me personally, this kid’s upside is too much to pass up early in this draft.
