Darren McFadden: All He's Cracked Up to Be?

Despite the above facts, there still are those who doubt McFadden's status as an elite talent, most notably the fast-rising Mike Mayock of NFL Network, who boldly stated he wouldn't touch the former Hog in the Top 20. Foremost among Mayock's concerns is the fact that McFadden's admittedly rail-thin lower body is a cause for concern and that his "legs go dead on contact."

First, I'll assign credit to Mayock where it's due. "DMac" has an uncharacteristically spindly lower body that seems less than ideal for physical running in the NFL. 

However, McFadden is not the thundering force the player he's most often compared to these days. Adrian Peterson is, but I think we can all agree he's not the toppling, incompetent inside runner Mayock characterizes him as.

In fact, McFadden is one of the most impressive and physically dominating backs once he gets past the line of scrimmage and into the secondary that I've ever seen.

Mayock's analysis, in my opinion, was led astray because he did not consider McFadden's body of work carefully enough in constructing his opinion.

In his take on NFL Newtwork, it became apparent Mayock had only watched a few of McFadden's game tapes. He harped on McFadden's inside running ability on the basis of his performance in the LSU game.

Again, let me assign credit where it is due. His virtuoso performance vs. LSU was littered with the usual medley of his quick bursts and defenders diving unsuccessfully at his feet. McFadden was not a physical force with the ball that game. Indeed, it seemed as though he struggled on contact on more than a few occasions.   

Perhaps, his fumbling woes (three, early in the game) caused him to run timidly, or maybe his sore ribs still were bothering him.

Regardless, it was one game. Too often, when an exceptionally talented player enjoys success in the spotlight for too long, he is over-analyzed and subsequently underdrafted. Anyone who has watched enough "DMac" over the years knows full well he enjoys a good deal of success, especially between tackles.

Again, is he the terrorizing, violent runner Peterson is? No, not even close. However, I'm willing to bet if you told just about any player, coordinator, or coach in the SEC that McFadden was a weak physical runner, they'd probably chuckle, pat you on the back, and tell you to go back and watch some tape.

In my opinion, McFadden is best characterized by Eric Dickerson as an explosive, uncannily quick, and fast back with the ability to get physical when he needs to. Consider Dickerson's take on McFadden:

 “I like his total package—size and speed. People say guys who run upright are easier to hit, but you have to catch us first. And if you do, we’ve got enough size to give out some punishment.”

That's a pretty ringing endorsement, if you ask me. Not to mention a flawless diagnosis. 

As of now, McFadden, as a result of acquisitions by teams at the top of the draft and perhaps "character" concerns, no longer seems like a mortal lock for the top five. Right now, his firewall seems to be the Jets at the sixth pick or the Bengals at No. 9.

As you can imagine, in my opinion, McFadden should be a top-three pick, perhaps, even the first, regardless of need.

I think this because, as I outlined earlier, when one considers together his body of work, its context, and his exceptionally rare and unteachable athletic capacity, I simply cannot fathom an explanation as to why he wouldn't be the top talent in this year's draft.

To be honest, I think he's the best draft prospect of the new millenium, and I'm not bashful about saying it.

You're wrong, Mike Mayock. End of story. Now go watch some more tape. 

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